Yes, you can definitely use lifting straps on your pull day.
Straps are particularly useful in pulling exercises where grip or forearms tire before the back muscles. They reduce the demands on your grip, allowing you to better focus on your lats, trapezius, and other back musculature.
However, you don't need to use straps for the entire workout. For most people, it makes the most sense to use them strategically on heavy or grip-limited working sets.
What is a pull day?
Yes, you can definitely use lifting straps on your pull day.
Straps are particularly useful in pulling exercises where grip or forearms tire before the back muscles. They reduce the demands on your grip, allowing you to better focus on your lats, trapezius, and other back musculature.
However, you don't need to use straps for the entire workout. For most people, it makes the most sense to use them strategically on heavy or grip-limited working sets.
What is a pull day?
A pull day is a training day focused on muscles that primarily work during pulling movements.
This typically includes:
- Latissimus dorsi – also called lats
- Upper and middle back
- Trapezius
- Rear deltoids
- Biceps
Typical exercises on a pull day include deadlifts, rows, lat pulldowns, pull-ups, shrugs, and various bicep exercises.
Straps are primarily relevant for heavy back exercises. They are usually not necessary for curls and other exercises where arm training is the primary goal.
Benefits of using straps on pull day
If your grip limits your back training, lifting straps can help you to:
- Get more controlled repetitions
- Maintain focus on your back muscles
- Reduce fatigue in your hands and forearms
- Maintain stable technique throughout the set
- Train with higher volume
Straps do not remove the load from your back. They primarily relieve your grip so that the muscle group you want to train can become the limiting factor to a greater extent.
Which pull day exercises are straps good for?
Deadlifts
During heavy deadlifts, your grip can fail before your back and posterior chain are finished working. Here, straps can be relevant for the heaviest working sets or during high-volume training.
Barbell rows
Straps can reduce the focus on your forearms and make it easier to work controllably with your lats and upper back.
T-Bar rows
T-Bar rows are often performed with relatively heavy weights. If your grip limits the number of good repetitions, straps can be an advantage.
Lat pulldowns
Your forearms can quickly tire during pulldowns. Straps can help you maintain your grip and focus on pulling your elbows down towards your body.
Cable rows
For longer sets and high repetitions, straps can help maintain tension in your back without your grip ending the set too early.
Shrugs
Shrugs are often performed with heavy weights that significantly challenge your grip. Straps can make it easier to focus on your trapezius rather than your hands.
Pull-ups
For weighted pull-ups or many repetitions, straps can be useful if your grip tires before your back. If the goal is also to improve grip strength, some sets should still be performed without straps.
Should you use straps for your entire pull day?
No, it's rarely necessary.
A practical approach could be:
- Do warm-up sets without straps
- Use straps when your grip starts to limit your working sets
- Train bicep exercises without straps
- Optionally train grip strength separately
This way, you still train your grip, while it doesn't unnecessarily limit your back training.
Are straps bad for grip strength?
No, not if you use them strategically.
If you use straps on all sets and never challenge your hands or forearms, your grip will naturally get less training. This can be avoided by doing warm-up sets without straps and supplementing with, for example, farmer’s walks, dead hangs, or static holds.
Straps should be considered a supplement to grip training – not a replacement for it.
Which lifting straps are best for pull day?
At MakeIt, there are three StrapIt models for different needs:
StrapIt Standard
The most versatile model and an obvious choice for deadlifts, rows, pulldowns, and general back training.
StrapIt Premium
Features extra padding and is suitable for high training volume, heavy lifts, and those who prioritize maximum comfort.
StrapIt Short
The shorter model provides a more direct connection to the bar or handle. It is especially popular for rows and pulldowns, as well as among people with smaller hands.
Danish-produced lifting straps since 2014
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. Our straps are developed with a focus on functionality, comfort, and long durability.
Conclusion: Do straps make sense on pull day?
Yes, especially if your grip or forearms tire before your back muscles.
You don't need to use straps for the entire workout. Use them on working sets where your grip would otherwise limit your technique, training volume, or the number of good repetitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use straps for pull day?
Yes. Straps are especially useful for heavy rows, deadlifts, pulldowns, shrugs, and pull-ups if grip becomes the limiting factor.
Should you use straps for your entire pull day?
No. Many only use them on the heaviest or last working sets.
Are straps necessary for back training?
No. If your grip doesn't limit you, there isn't necessarily a need for straps.
Are straps bad for grip strength?
No, not when used strategically and combined with training without straps.
Which StrapIt models are best for pull day?
StrapIt Standard is the most versatile choice. Premium offers extra comfort, while Short is especially popular for rows, pulldowns, and smaller hands.
Related articles
Read more about lifting straps, grip strength, and back training:
