07/01/2025
Letâs settle this once + for allâŚ
When should you actually use lifting straps?
Because âif you canât grip it, you shouldnât lift itâ is a cute theory that used to be the hill I stood to die on⌠until my glutes, lats, + hamstrings stopped growing because my traps + forearms kept taking over.
Hereâs my take on it now:
𧡠If your grip is the limiting factor, not the target muscle, strap the f*ck up, provided that your form is SOLID.
𧡠If youâre breaking form just to hang on⌠strap up.
𧡠If youâre on a top set or high-volume burner⌠strap up.
𧡠If you have TMJ, tension headaches, or overactive traps⌠strap up, sister.
But if the goal is grip, or youâre still building base-level strength, earn your reps raw.
Training smarter often means breaking up with black + white ârulesâ + accepting nuance so you can actually grow the muscles you WANT to grow, rather than the ones that have been doing all of the compensation (ahem, traps + forearms)
Check the post for the quick + dirty strap assessment.
Save it. Share it with your ego-lifting gym sis.
Let your muscles grow without your grip holding you hostage đ¤