How to Use Lifting Straps

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(If you like, you can scroll down to the end of this article and watch a video related to this topic.)

In a past article and a couple of videos, we’ve covered how to quickly and cheaply make yourself a pair of durable lifting straps. Today, let’s cover how to use them:

  1. Place the straps over both hands. The threads face up, and the smooth side of the straps (the side without the threads) should face forward.

  2. Place your left hand on the bar - your hand goes over the bar, and the strap goes behind the bar.

  3. Use your right hand to help wrap the strap around the bar once, pinning it into place with your left thumb.

  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to get your right hand and its strap securely attached to the bar, but note that the right hand will have to do this on its own as it doesn’t get any help from your left hand, which is already attached to the bar.

  5. When you tighten up the right strap (i.e., when you make it so that it’s wrapped snugly around the bar), you may find that you have to allow the left strap to loosen just a bit so that both straps have the same amount of “snugness” against the bar. Once that’s done, you can rotate both hands to tighten up both straps.

  6. Even though you’re using straps, be sure to still use chalk and grab the bar tightly. No hook grip is needed (don’t attempt a mixed grip either).

This process is best understood when you can see it, so I’d recommend clicking on one of the short videos below (the longest is still under 3 minutes).

As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better.

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