Why Powerlifters Should Use Straps in Training (Stop Worrying About Grip Strength)

Straps are a valuable tool for us powerlifters and incorporating them into your training is not a sign of weakness, it’s a smart strategy to maximize performance and longevity. Here’s why…

1. Preserve Grip for Key Movements

Your grip can become a limiting factor in high volume or high intensity deadlift training. Over fatiguing your hands can carry over into other lifts where grip is critical, such as benching or competition pulls. Straps allow you to train at higher intensities without compromising your overall performance.

2. Focus on Target Muscles

When the goal is to build back, hamstring, or glute strength through accessory lifts like RDL’s or heavy rows, grip fatigue shouldn’t be what’s holding you back. Straps let you fully engage the muscles you’re targeting without worrying about your hands giving out first. I don’t care how strong you think your grip is, your hands WILL give out before those larger muscle groups.

3. Grip Strength Is Built Elsewhere

Grip strength for powerlifting is primarily developed through comp style deadlifts, holds, and specific grip work like farmer’s carries or timed barbell holds. By using straps strategically, you can save your grip strength for these dedicated exercises while still pushing volume and intensity on pulls.

4. Injury Prevention

Overtraining your grip can lead to issues like elbow tendinitis or overuse injuries in the hands and wrists. I have experienced this firsthand. Straps provide relief, allowing you to train hard while reducing unnecessary stress on smaller, more delicate structures.

5. Improve Overall Strength

Using straps can allow you to lift heavier weights or perform more reps, leading to greater gains in strength and hypertrophy. A stronger back and posterior chain will carry over to better performance in your competition lifts, even if you’re not directly training grip during every session.

When to Use Straps:

• Accessory deadlift variations (ex. RDLs, deficit pulls, snatch grip deadlifts).

• Back focused rows or pull ups.

• During hypertrophy or volume phases.

When Not to Use Straps:

• Your competition deadlift if you’re in meet prep or otherwise.

• Dedicated grip focused movements.

Using straps is about training smarter, not harder. Don’t let the fear of “weak grip” hold you back from fully developing your strength potential. Train with purpose, and remember your hands aren’t the goal, your total is.

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