What are lifting straps good for?

Terrazas suggests using weightlifting straps for pulling exercises like deadlifts, pull-ups, and pull-downs, but you can wear them for any exercise that needs some extra wrist stabilization and some support for your grip strength. “If you are a powerlifter the straps are good for most barbell lifts as the load does get bigger, and you want the wrist to stay as healthy as possible,” Terrazas adds. Lifting straps come in handy when you’re lifting a weight that’s heavier than your grip can manage—that way you’re not letting your grip strength hold you back from deadlifting double your bodyweight, for example.

When should I use lifting straps?

The key is to not rely on lifting straps all the time, Terrazas says. “This is a tool to help you, but you should strengthen your wrist and forearms prior to using them,” he says. In other words, you don’t want to turn to them every time you’re lifting heavy—you still want to build up your grip strength. However, when you’re setting a new personal record for your lifts, then it might be time to grab the straps. Also, because they’re small and easy to toss in your gym bag, Terrazas says it’s always a good idea to bring them with you to the gym, just in case barbell lifts are on the agenda that day and you want the extra support.

The Best Lifting Straps of 2023, According to a Personal Trainer

Commerce Photo Composite — Verywell Fit / Crea Taylor

A good set of lifting straps could help you build more strength with heavy lifts. “The biggest benefit of straps is to give your grip a boost, especially during pulling movements, such as deadlifts,” says Alejandro Terrazas, a certified personal trainer at TS Fitness in New York City. “Many times your grip will fail before your larger muscles do, so you can get extra volume in using straps.”

When shopping for the best weightlifting straps, Terrazas suggests determining your goals first and working with a coach to learn how to use them. “Straps will not help to develop grip strength, instead they will make an individual more dependent on them,” he says. “Remember that the straps are there to help you when you surpass your max.”

Look for straps that are soft and comfortable. You don't want a strap that will dig in or pinch your skin. When reviewing lifting wrist straps for our roundup, we looked for straps that were comfortable, offer strong support and secure grip, were durable, and affordable.

Here are the best lifting straps on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Gymreapers Lifting Wrist Straps at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Rip Toned Lifting Wrist Straps at Amazon

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Best for Bodybuilding:

Harbinger Padded Cotton Lifting Straps at Amazon

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Best Set:

HarderWill Olympic Barbell Clamps and Lifting Straps Set at Amazon

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Best for Support:

RIMSports Weight Lifting Straps at Amazon

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Best for Beginners:

Manimal Infinity Lifting Straps at Manimal.com

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Best Leather:

Rogue Fitness Leather Lifting Straps at Amazon

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Best for Powerlifting:

Rogue Ohio Lifting Straps at Roguefitness.com

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Fit

4.8

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

Pros

Soft and comfortable
Affordable
Supportive

Cons

Has some stretch
Closure is not as secure as others

Gymreapers wrist straps are our best overall pick for their comfort, support, and affordability. Loop these straps around your wrists, then circle them around the bar two to three times and you have a solid way to support your heavy deadlifts or rows. The neoprene padding around the wrist makes them extra comfortable, while the 18 inches of a durable cotton blend fabric strap make for a secure fit around the bar. Choose from a range of colors, including black, pink, and green.

What makes these lifting straps even better: Gymreapers offers a lifetime guarantee and money back if you’re not satisfied. So if you’re not feeling these straps, or they’re not working out for your workouts, then send ‘em back for a refund.

Price at time of publication: $14

^{Key Specs:
Length: 18 inches | Material: Neoprene padding and cotton blend strap}

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

Pros

Affordable
Soft
Comfortable
Durable

Cons

May need time to break in
Thinner than others

At an affordable price, these lifting straps provide all the attributes you need to lift heavy and comfortably. This long cotton strap (which spans longer than other straps on the list) can wrap a barbell several times, providing security and anti-slip as you pick up the weight. The neoprene wrist support also makes them more comfortable, thanks to the softer material, while the rest of the cotton fabric offers durability through long lifting sessions.

Throw these lifting straps in the washer when they get super sweaty or need a refresh, or wash them by hand. The brand also offers your money back if you’re not satisfied with your purchase, making it easy to give them a test run. This is ideal for beginners who are just adding weight-lifting to other fitness routines, such as running or working out on rowing and elliptical machines.

Price at time of publication: $15

^{Key Specs:
Width: 1.5 inches | Length: 23.5 inches | Material: Neoprene padding and cotton strap}

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon View On Dick's View On Implus.com

Pros

Comfortable
Durable
Good for heavy but higher reps
Supportive

Cons

Thinner than others

“As a bodybuilder, your goal is muscle mass, so volume is key for maximum results,” Terrazas says. “These straps are there to give you that extra pull on the last one or two reps.” To help you push through those final repetitions, the straps offer durability through their cotton construction and foam padding around the wrist, which also enhances their comfort level.

To top off the benefits, you can get these at an affordable price—an easy investment to make. They also reach 21.5 inches, meaning you have plenty of room to wrap them around the bar and start grinding out some more reps.

Price at time of publication: $10

^{Key Specs:
Width: 1.5 inches | Length: 21.5 inches | Material: Foam padding and cotton strap}

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

Pros

Comfortable
All-in-one set
Supportive

Cons

Other gear may be difficult to use
Some users complain of quality

For all your barbell training needs, look no further than this set from HarderWill. You get the lifting straps that offer support through heavy lifts, helping you go up in weight. The straps offer a wrist loop and extra material to circle around the bar.

You also get a barbell jack, which provides the perfect place to set the weight plates of the barbell so it doesn’t roll away, especially as you’re adding more weight. Plus, you get 2-inch weight clips to keep those plates in place. To top it off, this set comes with a carrying bag for easy transport to and from the gym.

If you have any issues with the equipment, you get a 30-day warranty, plus a 100% refund or an exchange if that better suits your training needs.

^{Key Specs:
Width: Not listed | Length: Not listed | Material: Not listed}

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

Pros

Extra comfort around the wrist
Added support for the wrist
Secure
Durable

Cons

Won't help lift as heavy as others
Some users don't like the silicone

These lifting straps offer a different structure than the rest on the list. With a thicker wrist wrap that provides decent padding, you get more support through your pulling exercises. The straps also stretch a little shorter than others on the list. And what makes them stand out even more: a silicone grip material lines the strap, which is meant to stop the bar from slipping out of your hands as you’re doing the heavy lifting. (FYI, one user notes that the silicone side should be placed toward the skin!)

Tighten these around the wrist in a way that feels secure without being restrictive. Then, with the silicone against the palm, wrap the barbell. Get ready to break some weightlifting records!

Price at time of publication: $15

^{Key Specs:
Width: 2.7 inches | Length: 11.3 inches | Material: Neoprene, cotton, and a silicone grip}

Courtesy of Manimal

View On Manimal.com

Pros

Durable
Easy to use
Comfortable

Cons

May need time to break in
Might slip

A favorite of Terrazas's, these straps work for any athlete who wants to lift a little heavier while gaining support throughout those lifts. They stand out for their extreme durability, Terrazas says, which comes from the blend of polyester and nylon material.

Most importantly, the Manimal lifting straps show you which strap goes on which hand, making it easier for beginners to throw them on and get to lifting. “Trust me, I’ve had so many people reach out to me just asking which strap goes on which hand,” Terrazas says. These straps from Manimal remove that guesswork.

To up the comfort level, the wrist also features neoprene padding, so you have some protection and support as you move. The 1.5-inch width and 24-inch length also mean they’ll fit most wrists, and you can adjust them to the tightness that works for your wrist circumference.

Price at time of publication: $25

^{Key Specs:
Width: 1.5 inches | Length: 24 inches | Material: Neoprene wrist padding, polyester nylon strap}

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

Pros

Durable
Luxurious feel
Comfortable
Supportive

Cons

Might slip
May need time to break in

You know leather has a soft feel but lasts for a long time—two key attributes you want from a pair of lifting straps. And that’s exactly what these will bring to your lifting routine. While some users say you have to break these in, others say they’re comfy right out of the bag, so see what rings true for you. Either way, you get extra durability that will withstand countless workouts—no matter how heavy you go.

The straps also have heavy-duty stitching, so you don’t have to worry about them falling apart at the seams, and they’re made in the U.S. too. The 1.5-inch width and 20-inch length will also make them feel good around the wrist while offering the security you need to pick up and put down a heavy bar.

Price at time of publication: $38

^{Key Spec:
Width: 1.5 inches | Length: 20 inches | Material: Leather}

Courtesy of Rogue Fitness

View On Roguefitness.com

Pros

Affordable
Supportive
Comfortable
Easy to use

Cons

Lacks some durability

“These bad boys are designed to get the job done if you are just going to town with the barbell and going heavy,” Terrazas says. “They’re extremely durable, easy to secure on the wrist, and a great strap to have in your gym bag.”

Heavy-duty cotton material makes up the construction of these straps, which allows for comfort and security as you pick up and put down some barbells—and go super heavy while doing so.

The strap extends to 20 inches long and 1.5 inches wide, with a loop on one end to go around the wrist. The rest of the strap then circles around the bar, with a sewn edge at the end to stop fraying and keep you lifting.

Price at time of publication: $15

^{Key Specs:
Width: 1.5 inches | Length: 20 inches | Material: Cotton}

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a supportive pair of lifting straps that feel comfortable and don’t break the bank, go for the Gymreapers Lifting Wrist Straps (view at Amazon). These straps check off all the boxes when it comes to ease of use, support, and durability.

If you’re looking for something even more budget-friendly that still maintains those key characteristics, opt for the Harbinger Padded Cotton Lifting Straps (view at Amazon).

What to Look for in Lifting Straps

Comfort

The goal of lifting straps is to help you lift with ease and go heavier. But in order to work, you need straps that feel comfortable around the wrist—no digging into the skin, no blisters, and no otherwise uncomfortable reactions to the straps that could hold you back from going heavier. Look for straps that offer softness and zero discomfort as you move.

Support

To go heavier than you normally lift, you need a secure, no-slip strap that’ll help you crush that next rep. Make sure the one you’re using doesn’t move too much as you lift and that it feels tight (but not too tight) around the wrist, too.

Durability

Whether you’re doing just a few super heavy lifts or going for a higher rep count of heavy lifting, you want to find lifting straps that will last through the volume. Look for lifting straps that don’t fray or overstretch after just a few sessions—you want a set that will go as long and as hard as you do in the gym.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are lifting straps good for?

Terrazas suggests using weightlifting straps for pulling exercises like deadlifts, pull-ups, and pull-downs, but you can wear them for any exercise that needs some extra wrist stabilization and some support for your grip strength. “If you are a powerlifter the straps are good for most barbell lifts as the load does get bigger, and you want the wrist to stay as healthy as possible,” Terrazas adds.
Lifting straps come in handy when you’re lifting a weight that’s heavier than your grip can manage—that way you’re not letting your grip strength hold you back from deadlifting double your bodyweight, for example.
When should I use lifting straps?

The key is to not rely on lifting straps all the time, Terrazas says. “This is a tool to help you, but you should strengthen your wrist and forearms prior to using them,” he says. In other words, you don’t want to turn to them every time you’re lifting heavy—you still want to build up your grip strength.
However, when you’re setting a new personal record for your lifts, then it might be time to grab the straps. Also, because they’re small and easy to toss in your gym bag, Terrazas says it’s always a good idea to bring them with you to the gym, just in case barbell lifts are on the agenda that day and you want the extra support.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Mallory Creveling has been covering the fitness industry for more than a decade, often writing about workout equipment. She’s also a certified personal trainer who’s tried tons of at-home equipment. She knows what moves work best with added weight and what to look for to get the most out of your gear.