Pros and Cons of Using Lifting Straps When Training

Pros of Using Lifting Straps:

1. Hold Longer: Lifting straps assist you to hold the weight longer when grip strength is a limitation to your lift; by providing additional support to hold onto the weight, which can be especially helpful for exercises that involve pulling movements, such as deadlifts, rows, and pull-ups.
2. Increased Repetitions: The longer you can hold the weight the more the lifting straps can allow you to perform additional reps or lift heavier weights by reducing the strain on your hands and forearms, which can fatigue before the target muscles.
3. Increased Work Load: Lifting Straps allow you to achieve more time under tension, greater loads, and more repetitions. Overall this will increase your workload contributing to greater strength and muscle gains over time.

Cons of Using Lifting Straps:

1. Dependence on Equipment: Relying too heavily on lifting straps can result in dependence on the equipment and may limit your ability to build strength in the grip and forearm muscles.
2. Reduced Grip Strength: Over time, excessive use of lifting straps can lead to weaker grip and forearm muscles, which can negatively impact performance in exercises that require strong grip strength.
3. Limitations in Competition: Athletes who compete in sports like powerlifting, and using lifting straps during training may limit their ability to develop the necessary grip strength to perform at their best in competition, where the use of lifting straps is not allowed. It’s important to consider the rules and requirements of your specific sport or competition before deciding to rely heavily on lifting straps during training.

In summary, lifting straps can be a helpful tool in weight training to improve grip strength, increase repetitions, and reduce the risk of injury. However, they should be used with caution to avoid dependence on the equipment and limitations in training.