How lifting straps can improve your weight training sessions

Strap your way to a new weightlifting PB (The Independent )

If you’re aiming for a PB in weightlifting or trying to push yourself to see what you’re capable of, every little detail counts. If you’re midway through a lift and you can start to feel your hands sweating on the bar, it’s not conducive to getting the bar up. Your brain will naturally stop focusing on the movement and start to worry that your hands are unsteady and then you’ll lose the power needed for the final pull.

Thankfully, there is a solution to improve your grip and reduce moisture, even on the hottest days of summer, and it only costs a fiver. Enter the Myprotein lifting strap (£5, Myprotein.com), which could give you a serious boost in your weightlifting training. Whether you’re a seasoned lifter or just starting to push heavier weights, these staps could be a game-changer.

From upright rows to deadlifts and clean and presses, here’s how to use the Myprotein lifting straps to enhance your training.

Myprotein lifting straps: £5, Myprotein.com

Crafted from a sturdy nylon weave, these are designed to give you a lot of extra support for your grip while feeling soft on the skin. The last thing you’d want is to swap a little bit of sweat for blisters, but these are made from a non-rubbing, non-chafing material to avoid causing irritation.

To use, place the loop over your wrist, making sure that it’s not too tight or too loose. The strap should be snug enough to provide a secure grip but not so tight that it restricts your movement or cuts off your circulation.

Once the strap is securely around your wrist, you can start to wrap it around the barbell or dumbbell. To do this, thread the end of the strap through the loop and then wrap it around the bar or dumbbell. Make sure to wrap the strap tightly around the bar or dumbbell to ensure a secure grip.

After you have wrapped the strap around the bar or dumbbell, you should then adjust the loop around your wrist. The loop should be positioned on the back of your wrist, near your hand. This will help to distribute the weight evenly across your wrist and provide maximum support.

The Myprotein lifting straps have extra padding in the hands to make the bar feel more comfortable in your hands. If your forearms and hands start to fatigue, the lifting straps will keep your grip on the bar firm so that you can properly utilize larger muscle groups and make training gains.

When you have the lifting straps secured properly around your wrists, you should find that you’re not wasting any energy thinking about your grip. That means all your focus can go on completing that last rep, helping you push through the burn without getting distracted.

If you’re looking to recover faster post workout, read our review of the best protein powders