Why Weightlifting Straps Help You Lift Heavier and Build Strength — Backed by Science

If you’ve ever had your grip give out before your muscles during a heavy set, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common limits faced in the gym. Whether you’re working towards a new personal best or simply improving your overall strength, weightlifting straps are a small accessory that can make a big difference.

Here in the UK, where strength training continues to grow in popularity, more lifters are turning to straps to lift heavier, reduce fatigue, and train smarter. At RYXX, we’ve designed both Fabric Weightlifting Straps and Premium Leather Lifting Straps to help you do exactly that, with comfort, control, and performance in mind.

How Weightlifting Straps Work

Weightlifting straps create a secure connection between your hands and the bar, reducing the amount of grip strength required to hold the weight. This lets you focus on your target muscles, whether that’s your back, legs, or shoulders, instead of worrying about your hands slipping.

They are particularly effective for:

• Deadlifts and Romanian deadlifts
• Barbell and dumbbell rows
• Pull ups and lat pulldowns
• Shrugs and heavy carries

By supporting your grip, straps allow you to train closer to your true muscular capacity, helping you build both strength and muscle size more effectively over time.

What the Science Says

Research supports the benefits of using lifting straps for strength and performance.

A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (2011) found that using straps during deadlifts allowed lifters to perform more repetitions and lift greater loads, particularly in later sets when grip fatigue normally limits performance.
Findings from The Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2016) showed that lifting aids like straps reduce forearm fatigue and help maintain proper form for longer training durations.
A UK based study from Leeds Beckett University (2019) highlighted that grip strength often becomes the limiting factor in pulling movements and that strap use enables consistent overload on larger muscle groups like the lats and hamstrings.

In other words, straps don’t make the lift easier, they help you focus on the muscles that truly matter for long term strength gains.

Fabric vs Leather: Choosing the Right Strap for You

At RYXX, we know every lifter has a different preference when it comes to training tools. That’s why we offer two premium strap options, both designed to support your strength journey in slightly different ways.

RYXX Fabric Weightlifting Straps
Our original, heavy duty design is ideal for serious lifters who want maximum support and durability.

Shop here: Fabric Weightlifting Straps

• Made from high strength woven cotton for secure grip
• Reinforced stitching for long lasting use
• Soft inner lining for comfort and wrist protection
• Ideal for heavy deadlifts, rows, and pull days

These are the straps to reach for when you’re chasing a new personal best or working with high loads.

RYXX Premium Leather Lifting Straps
Our single loop leather straps are designed for lifters who want something quicker, simpler, and softer on the skin. Perfect for both men and women looking for comfort and performance.

Shop here: Leather Lifting Straps

• Soft, supple leather that moulds naturally to your wrist
• Single loop design for faster wrapping and release
• Strong yet gentle, ideal for high volume sessions or heavy lifts
• Sleek, minimalist RYXX design for everyday training

These straps provide the same performance benefits with a more natural, comfortable feel, especially during longer training sessions.

How Straps Help Build Strength Over Time

When grip fatigue no longer holds you back, you can lift heavier, perform more reps, and maintain good technique, all key components of progressive overload. Using straps strategically (on your heaviest or most fatiguing sets) allows you to:
✓ Increase total training volume
✓ Reduce grip related failures
✓ Focus on larger muscle groups
✓ Improve overall lifting confidence and form

Over time, this translates into greater strength development, enhanced muscular endurance, and more consistent progress across all your lifts.

Train smart. Lift strong. Build with RYXX.