Why should you use straps and which ones should you choose?

The debate about the use of straps in training often comes up on various training forums. But is it good or bad to use straps? The short answer is that it depends on your goals. There are both advantages and disadvantages to straps, and the choice to use them depends on what you want to achieve in your training.

What do you want from your training?

The first question you should ask yourself is what your training goals are. If you don't plan on competing in powerlifting, strongman, or other sports where grip strength is crucial, straps can be an advantage. For many, this means more effective training when grip is not a limitation. Let's take a closer look at both the advantages and disadvantages of straps.

Advantages of straps

1. The grip will not be a limitation
   If you're not focusing on grip strength, straps can help you lift heavier weights. For example, if you can deadlift 150kg x 6 without straps, but 170kg x 6 with straps, you'll get a better back workout by using them.

2. Avoid uneven load
   Many people use a mixed grip in deadlifts, where one hand grips overhand and the other underhand. This gives a strong grip, but over time can lead to unbalanced stress on the body. By using straps, you can use a double overhand grip and avoid this imbalance.

3. Better focus on the muscle
   Straps can help you focus more on the muscle and less on the grip. When you don't have to worry about holding onto the bar, you can better concentrate on activating the right muscles, especially in exercises like pullups and rows.

Disadvantages of straps

1. Weaker grip
   The biggest downside to straps is that your grip doesn't develop at the same rate as the rest of your body. If grip strength isn't important to you, it may not matter. However, a strong grip can help you in many exercises, such as barbell curls, where a solid grip allows you to lift heavier weights.

2. Less muscle activation
   When you use straps, you can lose some of the muscle tension that helps activate neighboring muscles during a lift. Squeezing hard on the bar increases muscle tension, allowing you to lift heavier. Straps eliminate some of this effect, but you can still maintain tension by holding on tightly, even with straps.

Use straps smarter

You can minimize many of the drawbacks by using straps in a different way. Instead of tightening them up from the start, you can leave them slightly loose. This means that the straps only help when your grip starts to fail, acting as a kind of "forced reps" for your grip. Some people even find that their grip strength improves by using straps in this way.

Choosing straps

There are many different straps on the market, and it is important to choose a pair that suits your needs and training style.

We of course believe that you should use Straps from www.nowmakeIt.euThis is a shorter and more innovative way to use straps.