What is the difference between lifting grips and lifting straps?
Lifting grips are pad style accessories that wrap around the bar and sit in your palm, providing a secure surface between your hand and the weight. Lifting straps are fabric loops that wind around the barbell to physically attach your hand to the bar. Grips offer more versatility across exercises while straps provide the strongest hold for max effort pulls. Explore our full strap collection our lifting straps collection to compare options.
Are lifting grips good for deadlifts?
Lifting grips work well for moderate to heavy deadlifts and are especially popular for higher rep sets and hypertrophy training. They reduce grip fatigue so you can focus on your posterior chain. For true max effort deadlifts, traditional lifting straps or figure 8 straps may provide a more secure connection. Learn more about figure 8 straps our guide to figure 8 lifting straps to see if they fit your training style.
Which grips are best for pull ups and lat pulldowns?
For pull ups and lat pulldowns, look for grips with a firm rubber or neoprene pad that provides traction without adding bulk. Grips that allow your fingers to wrap naturally around the bar work best for vertical pulling movements. They help reduce calluses and hand fatigue during high rep sets. For lat pulldown specific advice, check out our guide our guide to lifting straps for lat pulldowns.
How do I choose the right size lifting grips?
Most lifting grips come in small, medium, and large based on your hand circumference. Measure around your palm just below the knuckles, excluding the thumb. A proper fit should feel snug with the grip pad sitting securely in your palm. Too loose and the grip will shift during lifts. Too tight and it will restrict blood flow and become uncomfortable during longer sets.
What material are lifting grips made from?
Lifting grips typically use a combination of neoprene, rubber, or silicone for the grip surface and nylon or neoprene for the wrist strap. Rubber and silicone pads offer excellent traction on knurled barbells. Neoprene provides comfort and durability. Higher quality grips use reinforced stitching at stress points to prevent tearing under heavy loads. Look for grips with a non slip surface that maintains its grip even when your hands get sweaty.
Can I use lifting grips for every exercise?
Lifting grips are versatile enough for most pulling exercises including deadlifts, rows, pull ups, lat pulldowns, shrugs, and farmer carries. However, they are not ideal for pressing movements or Olympic lifts where you need to release the bar quickly. For pressing exercises, wrist wraps are a better choice. Many lifters keep both grips and straps in their gym bag and choose based on the workout.
