If you’re a keen weightlifter, you know the pressure and strain that can come with the territory of weight training. You depend on your connection to the weight to achieve a smooth, safe lift. The danger comes when this connection is weakened, which could cause injuries to your wrists, hands, and body.

Investing in high-quality weightlifting straps and wrist wraps can support you during your training and help you to improve your weightlifting technique.

What are lifting straps?

Lifting straps are a common weightlifting accessory that can be wrapped around your wrist and the bar to improve your grip and help prevent the weight from slipping out of your hands. This is especially important when you’re working with heavier weights to reduce the risks of injury.

How can using lifting straps help?

Weightlifting bars are made from smooth metal cylinders. Whilst this shape is perfect to fit your hands around for lifting, the material is not typically conducive to maintaining your grip – especially during intense workouts where you’re sweating a lot. 

A lifting strap is designed to give you a more secure, comfortable grip to enhance your lifting session so you can lift heavier for longer. Using a lifting strap can also reduce grip fatigue by giving you a better anchor with the weight, ensuring you can execute those last few reps safely and securely.

Looking for a superior lifting strap? Supplement Needs’ Lifting Straps are made from a high-quality moisture-wicking cotton and elastic blend to stop sweat from interrupting your training. The additional embedded gel grip offers you enhanced comfort and support for your lifts – perfect to max out for your next PB.

How to use lifting straps

Weightlifting straps initially appear as one long piece of fabric, with a loop at one end. To use your lifting straps, first insert the opposite end through this loop to create a place for the strap to sit comfortably on your wrist. You then need to wind the trailing tail of the strap securely around the weightlifting bar.

You should always make sure you know how to use a lifting strap before moving onto heavier weights. To make sure you have a secure grip, we recommend practising your technique on lighter weights until you’re confident you can use your straps correctly.

What are wrist wraps?

Whether you’re pushing yourself to lift heavier for a new PB, or incorporate weightlifting as part of your regular training programme, you need the right support; both to achieve your goals and protect yourself from injury.

Wrist wraps, as the name rather obviously states, are made of a length of fabric that wraps around each wrist to provide functional support and stability during a lift.

Take Supplement Needs’ Wrist Wraps for example. Made from a durable blend of polyester and cotton, these wrist wraps offer you superior support without adding extra weight to your joints. The extended velcro tab gives you ultimate control over the fit and feel of your wrist wraps, and can be adjusted quickly when needed.

How can wearing wrist wraps help?

Your wrists are incredibly mobile, which can sometimes be a detriment when you’re aiming to complete an intense weight routine, or achieve a new one-rep max. 

Wearing wrist wraps provides additional support and stability to your wrists to prevent hyperextension, which could cause injuries – particularly if you’re working on overhead lifts. Lifting wraps can also help to reduce fatigue in your wrists, allowing you to work harder for longer.

If you’re new to weightlifting, or coming back after injury, using wrist wraps can help you achieve proper hand and wrist placement during a lift. This ensures that you’re using the correct muscles when you’re working out, rather than straining your shoulders unnecessarily.

How to use wrist wraps

As with the majority of supportive training accessories, how you use your wrist wraps will largely be dictated by personal preference. But, there are some general rules you should stick to.

  • Don’t wrap your wrists too tight. This can limit your movement too much and reduce your ability to lift safely.
  • Avoid wrapping too high or low. Wrapping further up your forearm negates the support of a wrist wrap, whilst wrapping too close to your hand can reduce your range of motion. 
  • Consider the type of movements you’re completing. Each lift will require you to place your hands differently, so you’ll need more or less support from your wrist wrap accordingly.

Shop weightlifting accessories at Supplement Needs

If you’re going to use supports and accessories like weightlifting straps and wraps during training, then you should never compromise on quality. 

At Supplement Needs, our lifting wraps and straps are held to a high production standard to ensure you get a superior end result. Made from high-quality polyester and cotton, you’ll get a comfortable but long-lasting product that can withstand a tough training routine.

Shop our SN clothing collection today, or explore our Performance Supplements to give you the tools you need to reach your exercise goals.

With free delivery over £40 it’s never been easier to prepare for success.