Loaded Blog
Powerlifting and Pulling Straps: A Guide to Their Use and Benefits
Grip strength plays a crucial role in many weightlifting exercises, but it can also be a limiting factor for some lifters. In these situations, pulling straps can be a valuable tool for enhancing your training and allowing you to work your target muscle groups to their full potential. But when should lifting straps be used? The decision to use straps will vary from lifter to lifter, but there are certain guidelines that can help you determine whether they would be beneficial for you.
For example, straps can be useful when performing high-rep sets where grip strength may become a limiting factor. In these cases, the straps can allow you to keep the focus on the target muscle group and avoid failure due to grip strength.
Additionally, straps can be useful for accessory exercises where grip failure would prevent you from effectively stimulating the target muscle group. This includes exercises such as RDLS, rows, and pull-down variations.
It is important to note that while pulling straps can be a valuable tool, they should not be relied upon too heavily. Building and maintaining grip strength is still an important aspect of weightlifting and should not be neglected. Using straps can also lead to a false sense of security, potentially increasing the risk of injury if proper form is not maintained.
Ultimately, the decision to use pulling straps will come down to your individual goals and priorities. If grip strength is not a priority for you and you simply want to maximise your training, straps may be a useful tool. But if you are looking to develop grip strength, it may be best to avoid straps and work on building your grip through other means.
Regardless of your decision, it is important to use lifting straps correctly and safely to avoid injury and get the most out of your training.
@darwin.pl talks about when you should use lifting straps in the reel below 😎
