Weightlifting Straps

Weight-lifting straps come in many forms for different parts of the body and for different purposes. Most of the time, weightlifting straps serve to stabilize and support certain arts of the body for focus and emphasis while exercises, either free or machine-guided.

There are primarily four types of weightlifting straps: wrist straps, knee wraps, lifting straps, and ankle/leg straps. Each of these serves to strengthen those areas for which they were designed. Weight-lifting wrist straps, for instance, though soft and flexible, offers firmness and security for the wrists so they don’t move or shift the wrong way during exercises. This purpose can be seen in weightlifting wrist strap’s distinctive thumb loop. Weight-lifting is easier, more controlled this way because the weight-lifter has better hand grip on the bar while lifting and lowering barbells and dumbbells. The knee wraps resemble therapeutic bandages but are 3” wide white elastic and thicker for firmer support. These simply wrap around the knee for protection and are sealed with a strip of Velcro, which holds tightly for long periods of time.

Probably the most general straps are the lifting straps. In this case, “general” means used for many things in different ways (i.e. versatile). Typically, about 20” inches long and1”-2” wide, the lifting straps augment the power of the grip, maintains traction, and promotes safe heavy lifting. Made of cotton, the lifting straps relieves and forced pressure on the fingers to allow maximum dexterity when working with standard Olympic bars, dumbbells, low row bars, and lat bars. The last, ankle/leg straps, feature two chrome-plated ‘D’-shaped clamp rings for affixing to exercise machine cables for guided movements. The inner Neoprene padding of these Nylon rings provides comfort and prevents chaffing, bruising, and blistering. An adjustable Velcro wrap ensures a secured hold so the legs and ankles can’t easily twist or shift. These work everything below the waist, namely the hips, glutes, thighs, legs, and ankles, either individually or all at once.

Anyone looking for any exercise or weight-lifting straps of any kind can find them at any number of exercise-geared websites, or even used ones at Ebay and Amazon.com. These generally run under $50.00, depending on the particular brand, but discounts can also be founds by searching and comparing. Weight-lifting straps are usually sold individually, but they might be sold in sets at certain places.

Those who prefer tight or firm joints while exercising or playing sports are advised to buy weightlifting straps. Not only are they inexpensive, they are easy to apply and remove without any effort whatsoever.