Lifting Straps vs Wrist Wraps (What’s the Difference?)

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Lifting Straps vs Wrist Wraps (Whats the
Difference?)
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(No Transcript)
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• For a new lifter (and to be honest, not just new
  lifters), figuring out the difference between
  lifting straps and wraps can be confusing.
• First, they both sound about the same. Heck, they
  even rhyme.
• What adds to this confusion is there seems to be
  A LOT of information on the internet that has
  no idea there is a difference between the two
  either.

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• Both lifting straps and wrist wraps involve
  lifting weights and theyre an accessory that is
  worn in the hand and wrist area. Thats about
  where the similarities end though.
• I also believe that part of the issue is that
  many novice lifters are only familiar with one or
  the other and theyre not even aware the other
  exists so in their mind its just two different
  names for the same item.
• So, what is the difference between lifting straps
  vs wrist wraps? What function do they provide and
  do you need one of the two or both?

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• The biggest difference between lifting straps and
  wrist wraps is that a lifting strap is designed
  to wrap around your wrist and the bar in an
  effort to increase your grip. A wrist wrap wraps
  around your wrist to help support the wrist for
  pressing movements, but doesnt wrap around the
  bar.

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What are Lifting Straps?

• Lifting straps are an accessory that is worn
  around your wrist that helps you stay attached to
  the bar during a lift.
• The way a lifting strap works is that you hook
  the strap around the wrist joint and then wrap
  the strap around the bar. This helps connect you
  to the bar and to keep the bar from rolling out
  of the lifters hand, which is the natural
  tendency of the bar especially if you are using a
  pronated grip.

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• They work tremendously well for increasing the
  grip strength of a lifter. Obviously, this comes
  in handy for a variety of situations and lifts
  whether youre an Olympic Lifter doing Snatches
  or a Powerlifter doing heavy deadlifts.

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Types of Lifting Straps

• There are 4 different types of lifting strap
  Open Loop, Closed Loop, Lasso and Figure 8.
• Open Loop and Closed Loop Straps
• Open Loop and Closed Loop straps are primarily
  worn for Olympic Weightlifting and many lifters
  refer to them specifically as Weightlifting
  straps. Theyre generally shorter in length and
  therefore dont wrap around the bar quite as
  much.

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• This is an important quality for Olympic
  weightlifters, because the ability to be able to
  bail quickly and release from the bar is
  critically important when Cleaning and especially
  Snatching. If a lifter misses a snatch behind the
  head and is not able to release their grip from
  the bar, it could lead to a devastating injury.

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• The difference between an Open Loop and Closed
  Loop strap is that a Closed Loop strap is
  basically exactly what it sounds like. Its a
  strap that has been looped onto itself and then
  closed by being sewn together to create a
  fixed, closed loop.

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• An open loop strap is essentially just a strap.
  The lifter is then required to loop the strap
  around the bar and close the loop themselves
  within their hand. These are really only used by
  advanced weightlifters who enjoy the added custom
  fit that an open loop strap can provide.

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• However, they can be really, really hard to get
  the hang of. I have a pair, but honestly have
  rarely ever used them because I also find them
  crazy hard to use. A closed loop strap is much
  easier to learn how to use and therefore tends to
  be way more popular.