Lifting Essentials Bundle - Retro Red

It is absolutely worth using lifting straps if you want to lift heavier weights and focus on specific muscle groups like your back, hamstrings, and traps. Lifting straps are a powerful tool that helps you overcome grip limitations. They remove the pressure from your hands and wrists, allowing you to hold onto the bar for longer and lift more weight than your grip strength would normally permit. This means you can perform more repetitions and build more strength in your target muscles without your grip failing prematurely. They are extremely beneficial for exercises like deadlifts, rows, shrugs, and pull ups.

Wrist wraps are an essential tool for providing support and stability to the wrist joint during heavy lifts. They are particularly effective for pressing movements such as bench presses, overhead presses, and push presses. By wrapping your wrists tightly, you create a solid, stable foundation that prevents your wrists from bending backward under a heavy load. This not only protects your wrist joints but also allows you to transfer more force from your arms to the bar. The result is a reduced risk of injury and the ability to lift more weight. Think of them as a supportive cast for your wrists that keeps them in a safe and neutral position.

You should use wrist wraps strategically, saving them for your heaviest sets and for exercises where wrist stability is a key factor. The goal is to use them when you need them most, not to become dependent on them. Over relying on wrist wraps for all your lifts can prevent you from developing natural wrist and forearm strength. A good rule of thumb is to use them for your top sets, your 1 to 3 heaviest sets of an exercise, and skip them for your warm up and lighter sets. This method allows you to build foundational strength while still having the necessary support for your maximal lifts.