Best Weight Liftings Straps REVIEWED
Frustrated at not being able to push your deadlifts further because of a plateau in your grip strength? You are not alone. This is the main reason for the creation and popularity of weight lifting straps. These simple and affordable pieces of gear can immediately have an effect on the amount of weight you can lift by enhancing your grip.
In this product review, we identified six of the best weight lifting straps that you can buy online right now. At the end, we’ve included a buyer’s guide which explains why these straps are effective as well as the most important features to look at when choosing lifting straps. Don’t let your grip limit your performance any longer.
PRODUCT | DESCRIPTION | RATING | PRICE | |
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Beast Gear Weight Lifting StrapsBest value for money weight lifting straps | £ | Check Price | ||
RDX Weight Lifting Gym StrapsExtra rubber for increased grip and strength | £ | Check Price | ||
Bear Grip StrapsA good balance between price and quality | £ | Check Price | ||
Elite Body Squad Lifting StrapsAmazing grip | ££ | Check Price | ||
Nordic Lifting Wrist WrapsIncludes a pair of wrist wraps | £££ | Check Price | ||
AQF Power Weight Lifting Gym StrapsBrown leather alternative | £ | Check Price |
Best 6 Weight Lifting Straps
1. Beast Gear Weight Lifting Straps
First up, we have these beasty looking weight lifting straps from Beast Gear. Let’s see if they live up to the name. As far as the dimensions go, these straps are pretty standard with a 60 cm length and 4 cm width. The material also consists of a highly durable cotton with advanced stitching to make them last longer.
One special feature they share with the RDX straps is the injection of rubberised dots along the inside of the straps that provide a far superior grip than does cotton alone. These strips come with a lot more of this rubber grip than most products, which makes them one of the most effective products on this list. The same goes for the thickness of the neoprene wrist padding.
Furthermore, they are the best value for money product we have reviewed. For being one of the cheapest straps, no noticeable amount of quality is sacrificed. If you don’t believe us, just check the universally positive reviews from other customers. They have yet to register a single complaint. You simply cannot miss out on this bargain.
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2. RDX Weight Lifting Gym Straps
RDX always manages to make fantastic gym gear for those taking part in any form of martial arts, CrossFit and serious weightlifting. Usually, their prices are incredibly affordable, which is the case with these weight lifting straps.
This strap is made from a mix of heavy duty cotton and Grip Flex rubber for a secure grip and extra durability. They also come with thick Grip Flex Gel Rubber padding at the top of the wrist to stop the wrist strap from uncomfortably digging into your joint. The strap is 52 cm long and 4 cm wide, so you’ll be able to wrap it around even an Olympic-sized barbell multiple times. When you use it, make sure the extra rubber grip is always facing the bar.
Like most RDX products, you can choose from a number of colours like black, pink, blue and red. Not all designs have the rubber dots and text. Make sure you order the ones that do, as they offer far superior grip.
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3. Bear Grip Straps
With a name like Bear Grip Straps, this is another strap with plenty to live up to. However, the name rings true, as this is another set of weightlifting straps that comes with plenty of extra rubber grip on top of the heavy-duty cotton straps. We always prefer this kind of grip as it is not only superior but also has the positive side effect of enhancing durability.
The length of 56 cm is nothing exceptional and should do for just about any bar or weight. It also comes with a nice, thick slice of Neoprene padding on the wrist that will protect it from injury as well as provide some overriding support.
As the icing on the cake, you can choose from plenty of colour and design options that will suit anyone’s taste. However, choose wisely, as not all variations come with the same amount of rubber grip. They are still one of the best-priced products on this list and only cost slightly more than the AQF and the Beast Gear products, putting them in the same range as the RDX straps.
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4. Elite Body Squad Lifting Straps
These straps from Elite Body Squad are one of the higher-end items on this list. As such, we expected all the bells and whistles. We are glad to say that they do not disappoint. These straps come with the extra rubber grip that covers almost the full length of the straps as well as a good amount of Neoprene cushioning for your wrist.
Elite Body Squad prides itself on the build quality of the cotton straps. They are made from 100% densely weaved industrial-strength cotton with double overstitching to stop them from tearing at the seams. You also get a strap that’s longer than most at just over 60 cm, allowing you to wrap the bar multiple times.
One pretty common complaint with these straps is that if you have thinner wrists, the Neoprene padding tends to concentrate the weight on a specific area, making it very uncomfortable. However, those with thicker wrists don’t need to be concerned by this.
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5. Nordic Lifting Wrist Wraps
Nordic Lifting products are often high-quality even if they aren’t the cheapest. These lifting straps are the most expensive products on the list by some margin. However, we had to know what kind of quality came with this price tag.
One thing that immediately caught our attention was that this is a bundle with a pair of wrist wraps and a pair of lifting straps. So, with just one buy, you can ensure that your wrists are supported and that you have increased grip. The straps themselves are pretty straightforward and consist of durable, heavy cotton. Neoprene padding at the wrist provides a good level of comfort.
You can choose from either black with coloured stripes or a few differently coloured camo designs. Customer feedback on this product is almost universally positive, which is something we expect from Nordic Lifting. The weight lifting straps are really long at 60 cm with a standard 4 cm width. The wrist wraps are about 35 cm long and 8 cm thick.
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AQF Power Weight Lifting Gym Straps
Next up, we have these weight lifting straps from the lesser-known AQF. We were attracted to them by massive amounts of positive feedback and an attractive price, so we decided to investigate further.
One the face of it, these are pretty standard weight lifting straps with the expected dimensions of 53 cm in length by 4 cm in width. They’re also made of the industry-standard heavy-duty cotton with a thick weave for great grip and durability. One special thing about these straps is that for a few pounds more, you can opt for a brown leather version. This is for those who prefer a different kind of feel and something with a bit more style. However, the leather is a bit less breathable and can get pretty hot.
These are the cheapest straps we’ve reviewed, so you can excuse them for not coming with adding padding for your wrist or extra rubber grip. The only unique thing about them is the leather version which might be worth checking out if you want to stand out at the gym.
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Conclusion
For us, there could only be one clear winner among all the products we reviewed: the Beast Gear weight lifting straps. Not only were they one of the most affordable products on this list but they came with all the extras like rubber grip and Neoprene padding. They also got 100% positive feedback, which shows that this is truly a grip for everyone.
The RDX, Bear Grip and Elite Body Squad straps came hot on their heels. However, the RDX and the Bear Grip straps just cost slightly more, and the Elite Body Squad straps got some complaints regarding padding.
Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Nordic Lifting straps, they are pretty simple. You do get wrist wraps included, but for the price, you should almost be able to buy both separately.
The AQF straps were the most affordable product, but they came with no added grip or padding. We recognise that some prefer this kind of straightforward lifting experience, which is why we included them on our list. Also, you can buy brown leather straps, which are quite nice.
Buyer’s Guide to Weight Lifting Straps
Why should you use lifting straps?
The most common and compelling answer to this question is that it allows you to lift more! One of the most frustrating feelings in the gym is when you have to limit your weight for deadlifts or similar exercises because of your failing grip. Straps have the ability to dramatically increase your grip by effectively tying your arm to the barbell.
A few other benefits are that they will lessen callouses on your hands and provide a bit of extra wrist support. Although they are fairly simple pieces of equipment, there are a few important considerations you should take into account before making a purchase.
What you should look for in a lifting strap
Type of Strap
There are three common types of straps: single-loop, lasso and figure-8. Lasso straps are by far the most common, and they are the straps we focussed on for this product review. They provide the best balance between a secure grip on the barbell and versatility.
Grip
Weightlifting straps are almost always made from heavy-duty cotton. While these provide good grip (which is slightly dependant on the type of weave), there are normally some enhancements included. Most straps boost their grip with the use of rubberised typography and dots along the inside of the straps. These also improve durability.
Padding
Some weightlifters prefer padding while others don’t. Padding on the wrist can stop the wrist wrap part of the strap from digging into the top of the wrist. The material most often used for this is Neoprene foam, which is durable, cushioning and breathable. However, for some, this padding can actually be more uncomfortable.
Tom Purton is a fitness junkie. Testing the latest and greatest products on the market and writing reviews in the strength, nutrition, running and many more. For more information about the latest reviews check out Ghost Fitness.
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