A Sure Fire Way To Increase Your Grip Strength Using Lifting Straps

Steve Shaw
Written By: Steve Shaw
January 31st, 2013
Updated: June 13th, 2020
Categories: Articles Training
39.5K Reads
If you want to improve your grip strength you should never use lifting straps, right? Wrong. The stronger your back is, the stronger your grip strength will be.

Lifting StrapsAt first you'll love this tip, then you might hate this tip. Let me explain.

Most of us want more grip strength. It becomes frustrating when a dumbbell starts to slip during rows, or we fail to hit a deadlift PR (personal record) because our grip gave out. And we're not supposed to use straps, right?

That seems to be the general consensus on most lifting forums. But guess what? This is wrong. Yes, you heard me correctly.

Using straps is one of the best ways to improve your grip strength. Here's why.

Most people don't know this but back strength plays a major role in how long you can hold on to something. Simply stated, when your back can't handle a given weight any longer, your brain signals your grip to let go.

What does this mean? The stronger your back is, the better your grip strength will be.

The stronger your back is, the better your grip strength will be.

Using straps allows you to perform better during rows, pull ups and deadlifts. You can hold the bar for nearly as long as you'd like. For some back exercises, such as rows, straps may allow you to use quite a bit more weight. The more weight you use, the faster you gain back strength.

The more reps you can do, the faster you gain back strength. Straps are not a crutch. They are a tool to help you build back strength as rapidly as possible. This will result in greater grip strength. Why did I say you might hate this tip?

  1. It's not solution that can improve your grip strength overnight.
  2. You'll run into many people who don't understand the synergy between back strength and grip strength, and they will try to convince you that straps will only weaken your grip.

My Back Strength, My Grip Strength

Until 2007 I avoided straps. Just like you, I thought they would make my grip weak.

So for 21 years I struggled with dumbbell and barbell rows. The most I was ever able to one-arm dumbbell row without straps was 120 pounds by 10 reps. Barbell rows...well, I was just pathetic. I have small German hands, and struggle with lifts that require me to use a double overhand grip.

To give you an example of this, I started deadlifting in 2007 and couldn't pull 315 with a double overhand grip because it would slip. Avoiding lifting straps only made my grip issues worse. My back stayed weak, so my grip stayed weak. Then something interesting happened.

In 2008 I picked up a pair of Versa Gripps. Versa Gripps are a fancy set of lifting straps. They lock down faster and tighter than cloth straps. Instantly I was able to use more than 120 pounds for dumbbell rows. By 2010 I was able to perform a one arm dumbbell row of 265 pounds for 10 reps. Also during this time I was moving up to 405 on barbell rows with reasonably strict form.

Lifting Straps

When I began using Versa Gripps I also started deadlifting exclusively using a double overhand grip. Two months ago I was able to achieve a 700 pounds deadlift for 2 reps off of a 3 inch block. The point in all this is simple. In 2007 I thought my back was strong, but it wasn't. These days I know my back is strong.

People give me a hard time for using straps, but you know what? When it comes time for me to deadlift without them, my grip is firm and never gives out. Not as of yet, anyway. I was able to attempt a 700 pound deadlift on the powerlifting platform without any grip issues whatsoever.

So to summarize...in 2007 I had grip issues. I allowed my grip strength to limit my back strength. When I started using straps, my back strength went up, and as a result, my grip strength improved.

Even if straps did nothing to help my grip strength, which some may argue, they still helped me to deadlift 700 pounds. Without them my back strength would have remained sub-par, and I may never have pulled over 500 pounds.

Final Words On Grip Strength

I think it's safe to say that most of you are not powerlifters. You will never need to showcase your grip strength on the platform. There's a good chance you simply want to get as big and strong as possible. Therefore, you have no reason to avoid wearing lifting straps.

You have nothing to lose and only good things to gain. Not only will they give you a bigger and stronger back, but they will also help to increase your grip strength.

Let me know what you think in the comment section below. Do you use lifting straps or Versa Gripps? Has anyone told you they are useless?

15 Comments
Binoy
Posted on: Sat, 03/10/2018 - 10:20

I use two strong pocket handkerchiefs for straps and after doing that I can now really overload the posterior chain

JAV
Posted on: Mon, 03/21/2016 - 13:06

I call BS! If you can't lift a weight without using straps then you CAN'T lift it, go figure, all you strap using crybabies need to get with the program and stop having excuses for not going raw. The HARDER an exercise is, the MORE you gain, making it easier is so "f'ing" stupid.

Elle
Posted on: Tue, 11/02/2021 - 11:55

That's false. "Going raw" to look cool for gym bros isn't ideal and it's not safe in the long run.

newsucks
Posted on: Thu, 04/09/2015 - 14:54

i use straps, i was doing a set of deadlifts at 295 and on the 4th one i dropped it, got straps and 2 weeks later im at 315 for 5 reps.....

Greg
Posted on: Wed, 05/15/2013 - 10:10

This article is amazing ..my thoughts about lifting straps were up in the air until I started powerlifting and especially barbell and dumbbells.rows...iam 5'8" 202 lbs..short and stocky built..I do 4 sets 10 reps on.pull ups to start my workout I use lifting straps for grip..the more body weight. I.gain it. Gets harder so straps r awesome. My back. Feels it on the rows. The straps have allowed me to use more weight. And less stress on my back..not to mentioned it buillt my forearms

Jong
Posted on: Sat, 04/06/2013 - 21:57

I love this article, I've been stubborn about using lift straps til I got pissed I couldn't pull 405. A month later, 405 is no problem even without a strap.

Awesome article Steve

Drew
Posted on: Sat, 02/16/2013 - 23:32

Hey Steve, I have been looking into the Versa Gripps and was wondering which version (Pro, Classic or Fit) and what size you use

Bilal
Posted on: Sat, 02/09/2013 - 13:42

Does the same goes for knee straps????????? Steve??

michael
Posted on: Thu, 02/07/2013 - 13:45

im a highschool student and im a naturally strong person but im unable to get my bench over 300 do you have any tips?

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mnsjason
Posted on: Thu, 02/07/2013 - 17:33
Rick
Posted on: Thu, 01/31/2013 - 23:01

Is there any scientific research that showcases the connection between back and grip strength?

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Steven
Posted on: Fri, 02/01/2013 - 10:54

Yes. And if you think about it, it makes physiological sense. If your back is too weak to hold a given weight at a given point in time, the brain will want you to dump it. This is not to say that one shouldn't also train their grip strength.

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Steven
Posted on: Mon, 02/04/2013 - 15:33

I don't have it handy, nor do I remember the specific names of the studies.

Rick
Posted on: Sat, 02/02/2013 - 17:28

Thanks for your reply. It's not that I don't believe you but I'm always interested in reading such research myself. Could you please direct me to where I may find it?

Wazman
Posted on: Thu, 01/31/2013 - 17:34

Great tip - especially on the Versa Gripps. I have a pair and love them, they're so versatile.