Are lifting straps cheating?
No, lifting straps are not cheating.
Lifting straps are a training tool used by everyone from beginners to professional bodybuilders and powerlifters. The purpose of straps is not to make the exercise easier, but to ensure that grip does not become the limiting factor before the muscles do.
If your goal is to train your back, hamstrings, or traps optimally, straps can help you get more out of the exercise.
Why do people use lifting straps?
During heavy pulling exercises, the grip often gets tired before the muscles you actually want to train.
This is especially true for:
- Deadlifts
- Romanian Deadlifts (RDL)
- Barbell Rows
- Dumbbell Rows
- Shrugs
- Lat Pulldowns
- Cable Rows
Straps make it possible to hold on longer and thus focus more on muscle contact and technique.
Do professional athletes use straps?
Yes.
Many of the world’s best bodybuilders, powerlifters, and fitness athletes use straps as a regular part of their training.
Straps are not used to avoid hard work but to ensure that the back muscles are trained sufficiently without being limited by the forearms.
Are straps bad for grip strength?
No.
If you use straps exclusively for all exercises, your grip may be challenged less. But most people use straps strategically.
Many choose to:
- Not use straps on warm-up sets.
- Not use straps on lighter exercises.
- Use straps on the heaviest working sets.
This way, the grip is still trained naturally.
When does it make sense to use straps?
Lifting straps are especially relevant when:
- Your grip fails before your back.
- You want more focus on muscle contact.
- You train with high volume.
- You want more repetitions.
- You perform heavy pulling exercises.
For example, if you do Romanian Deadlifts or Barbell Rows, straps can be an effective tool to get more out of the exercise.
When should you train without straps?
There are still situations where it makes sense to train without straps.
For example:
- Warm-up sets.
- Farmer's Walks.
- Specific grip training.
- Exercises where grip strength is the goal.
Straps should be seen as a supplement, not a replacement for a strong grip.
Why do so many people use StrapIt?
At MakeIt, we have been producing StrapIt lifting straps in Denmark since 2014.
More than 50,000 pairs have been sold to strength trainers across Europe, and our straps are developed by strength trainers for strength trainers with a focus on comfort, durability, and functionality.
Conclusion
Are lifting straps cheating?
No.
Lifting straps are a tool that helps you get more out of your training. When used correctly, they can improve muscle contact, allow for more repetitions, and make it possible to focus on the muscles you want to develop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are straps cheating in deadlifts?
No. Many use straps for heavy working sets to avoid grip becoming the limiting factor.
Do professional bodybuilders use straps?
Yes, straps are used by many professional athletes worldwide.
Are straps bad for grip strength?
No, as long as they are used strategically and combined with regular training without straps.
Should beginners use straps?
Yes, if grip limits training, straps can be a useful tool.
When should you use straps?
When your grip gets tired before the muscles you want to train.
Related articles
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