We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Gym Straps?

By Patrick Lynch
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,376
Share

Gym straps are a piece of equipment worn around the wrist and designed to help a person lift more weight than their grip would normally allow. They are usually made from a heavy cloth with with an open loop at one end so that a hand can be placed through it. Gym straps are generally used for pulling exercises that involve a large amount of weight.

There are those who are dubious about the usefulness of gym straps, saying that they will not help your grip to improve. This is countered by proponents who point out that exercises like the deadlift are designed to increase overall strength, and this is more important than developing forearm strength. Certainly there is no reason why anyone should be held back by a lack of grip strength when it comes to weightlifting.

Although grip strength is vital in terms of overall progression, it can be developed through specific exercises like wrist curls and dumbbell holds. Just because one part of the body lags behind doesn’t mean that the rest has to suffer. The use of gym straps can help build strength and muscle all over the body while other isolation maneuvers can be utilized to strengthen forearms and grip.

Gym straps can also be used to ensure that injuries don’t occur because of poor lifting form. When trying to move a large weight off the floor, a weightlifter may tend to lift with the back in order to somehow compensate for having a poor grip. Where large weights are concerned, a loss of control can cause a serious injury. Straps allow lifters to move the weight in a more natural manner through using their legs to bear the brunt of the force.

It is important to purchase gym straps that are comfortable and don’t put too great a strain on the forearms. Although lifters use straps with dumbbells, it is usually workouts involving the larger barbell that require their use. Once the straps are securely placed around the forearms, it is imperative that the loose piece of cloth remaining on the straps is wrapped around the bar tightly.

It is then vital to take a firm grip on the bar and pull it upwards using leg power. Those who have used gym straps have noted that they allow them to hold on to the weight for a very long time in comparison to previous workouts. Straps are an inexpensive yet useful piece of equipment that could help improve the overall strength of those who use them.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-gym-straps.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.