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If there’s one piece of equipment you need in your home gym, it’s a weight bench. But not just any type of weight bench. You need an adjustable weight bench, like the new and improved REP Fitness AB-5200 2.0. FID weight benches are a versatile, portable, and economical choice for beginners and athletes who want to spruce up their dumbbell workouts. Plus, if you have a squat rack and some barbells, you’re pretty much good to go.

Today, many brands, like REP Fitness, Rogue, Sorinex, and Titan, produce high-quality benches. However, none of them will be a good fit for everyone. Therefore, you have to evaluate your budget, fitness goals, and preferences to ensure you pick the right one for you. 

As a 5+ year Public Health Professional and Writer, I’ve researched and written on several weight benches. I’ve also had a chance to try out a few for myself. In this REP AB-5200 adjustable bench review, I’m giving you all the deets so you can decide if this is personally worth the buy. 

Key Takeaways

• On their website, the bench is automatically set to the fixed post option, making it a flat-incline bench. If you’d prefer a FID bench, select the “adjustable post” option. 
• If you don’t like the bench, REP Fitness offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but there will be a 15 percent restocking fee applied if it’s not returned in its original packaging. 

REP Fitness AB-5200

4.1

• Dimensions: 17.5” H x 57.6” L x 25.8” W
• Weight capacity: 1,000 pounds
• Materials: 11-gauge steel
• Warranty: 10-year frame warranty

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REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench Pros

• Six different color options are available for the frame and rails. You can add a pop of color to your home gym or coordinate your bench with your other equipment.
• The AB-5200 can be stored in an upright position, which is beneficial for those with small spaces who want to tuck it away when they’re done working out.
• The bench has a 1,000-pound weight capacity, making it suitable for the majority of lifters.

REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench Cons

• The wide pad doesn’t meet International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) requirements, so the AB-5200 may not be ideal for powerlifters who want to train at home.
• No compatible attachment options are available. The REP AB-5200 isn’t as versatile as other adjustable benches we’ve tried, which can be limiting for lifters who want to perform a wider variety of exercises at home.

REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench Rating

At Breaking Muscle, we’ve been fortunate enough to try out some of the best weight benches on the market. From flat and FID benches to foldable weight benches – we’ve put them to the test. Here’s how the REP AB-5200 2.0 scored after we put it through our proprietary factor methodology system. 

REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench Overview

If I’m being honest, I think REP Fitness did their thing in this second iteration of the AB-5200. It’s evident that they listened to their customers and aimed to improve on the things they previously missed. 

To start, the customization options are out of this world. It’s rare to find a weight bench that allows you to select from a plethora of frame and guide rail colors. Next, they’ve implemented their proprietary padding that’s grippy but also comfortable. Then, one of their most significant changes is to the adjustable back post, which is a win for those who like doing certain exercises, like decline bench presses. 

This FID bench (flat-incline-decline) is attractive, high-end, and nice enough to pass as commercial gym equipment. Their attention to detail is undeniable, as you’ll find the laser-cut REP logo on the ladders and black hardware and stainless steel parts in various places. This space-saving bench has a lot going for it, but if we’re being honest, it’s certainly not the most budget-friendly option on the market. Plus, some things may make this a dealbreaker for you.

We’ll get into who should buy it and who might be better off looking for something else below. 

Who Should Buy the REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench

• Those who prefer ladder-style adjustments over pop-pin adjustments.
• Elite lifters who want a weight bench that’s stable enough to handle heavier weights.
• Individuals who prefer to customize their adjustable bench so that it fits their preferences/needs.

Who Should Not Buy the REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench

• Trainees planning to do core exercises that may require leg rollers. 
• Individuals who are looking for a budget-friendly bench. 
• Anyone who likes adding attachments to their weight bench to increase exercise versatility. 

RELATED: REP Fitness BlackWing Adjustable Bench Review

REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench Review

In order to make a sound purchasing decision, there are a few things you should know. Therefore, in the following few sections, we will go over different factors, like price, construction, footprint, and more. We’ll expand on why we ranked each factor the way we did and address things that are easy to overlook. That should help you discern if this bench makes sense for your lifestyle. 

Price and Value

At the time of writing this, the REP Fitness AB-5200 2.0 is $549.99, but that price is for the fixed post only. The fixed post version only works as a flat-incline bench, but if you upgrade to the “adjustable post,” you’ll get three additional decline angles. That’ll cost you an extra $30, bringing the price to $579.99. There’s also an option to get wider back and seat pads for $20. So, if you add that along with the adjustable post, you’re looking at $599.99. 

This may be completely out of some people’s budgets, but with it being a higher-end product, it will cost more. Products like the FLYBIRD weight bench on Amazon cost around $149 and can get the job done, but, as someone who owns that, it’s missing features that the AB-5200 2.0 has. 

For one, this wobbles when I’m doing most workouts, which limits its versatility. I don’t feel 100% comfortable using it to do step-ups with my adjustable dumbbells because of this. While it’s very maneuverable, since it’s only 28.5 pounds (12.92 kilograms), it lacks stability. It simply wouldn’t work for those wanting to use heavier weights, like a powerlifter. Plus, the pop-in adjustment slows me down. These are things you have to consider when you go cheaper. 

Overall, I’d say you’re getting a very good amount of value for the price with the AB-5200 2.0, which is why we ranked it a 4.5 out of 5. If you want to pay a little less, check out the REP AB-3000 FID bench (for around $319.99) or the REP AB-5000 Zero Gap adjustable bench (for about $449.99). 

RELATED: Best Budget Barbells

Construction Quality

When it comes to the overall build quality of this weight bench, we’ll easily give it a 4.5 out of 5. 

The frame comprises 11-gauge steel and heavy-duty bolts, which can support over 950 pounds (430.9 kilograms). This type of material makes for a heavier bench (i.e., 115 pounds), but it also means it should be more stable. The AB-5200 2.0 is a solid piece of equipment that should remain sturdy no matter what back pad and seat pad adjustments you make. It’s the type of stability I wish my FLYBIRD had. 

Although this weight bench is kind of heavy, it’s still on the lighter side compared to other high-end options. Heck, even the previous model of this was 10 pounds heavier. It’s also very maneuverable, thanks to the knurled, stainless steel handle that you can use to pick up the front of the bench. The ladder system and adjustment post have knurled handles as well. The older model just featured a stainless steel metal handle that wasn’t knurled. 

REP Fitness also upgraded the pad material. The original one had premium, grippy vinyl, but this new one has proprietary CleanGrip pads, which we’ll expand on later.

RELATED: REP Fitness Colorado Bar Review

Delivery and Assembly

If you order the AB-5200 2.0 directly from the REP Fitness website, you’ll get free shipping. Be sure to select the frame and rail color you desire to customize it to your liking. There are six color options to choose from: metallic black, blue, army green, white, matte black, and red. 

Once they ship it, your product will likely arrive in three to four well-packaged boxes. It’s a bolt-together bench, which cuts down the cost of shipping and lets the brand send the product in smaller packages. 

As a consumer, I find that bolt-together benches are easier to pack when moving, but that also means assembly is required when you first get it. Fortunately, that’s not difficult to do. In fact, a team member said all they had to do was attach the back adjustment piece, the pads, and the feet. 

In our book, the delivery and assembly process deserves a 4.5 out of 5 since the whole experience was straightforward. 

Dimensions

Before you buy the AB-5200 2.0 for your home gym, it’s crucial that you know how much space it’ll take up and if it’ll work for your body type. When assembled, it’s 57.6 inches long, 25.8 inches wide, and 17.5 inches high. To give you perspective, it’s about ¾ as long as a twin-size bed, four US dollar notes wide, and about two women’s size five shoes high. 

If you’re a competitive powerlifter, knowing these details is essential, as it’s best to train on benches that meet International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) height requirements. Interestingly, many weight benches are too low, which can interfere with your form and cause your hips to sit too far down. The wrong height can also compromise leg drive and your ability to push back into the bench, making it hard to correctly perform exercises like bench presses. 

Whether you’re tall or short, the length of this bench should accommodate you. It’s a tad bit longer than some other benches, which is an advantage. With this one, you’ll have good head support when in an incline position and still be able to put your feet flat on the ground if you’re lying on your back. 

Now, let’s switch gears to the pad dimensions. At 41.7 inches long, the back pad makes up much of this bench’s length, and its width depends on which version you select. 

The standard version is 12 inches wide and will work for most people. But if you’ve got wider shoulders and lift big weights, consider the 14-inch one. Otherwise, you risk overhanging, which isn’t safe or stable when lifting heavy weights. If you opt for the wider pad, it won’t meet the IPF width requirements, and some people believe that getting a wider pad interferes with their range of motion. So keep that in mind before you buy. 

The seat pad length is 11.4 inches long with a standard width of 12 inches that tapers to 8.9 inches. The wide version is 14 inches and tapers to 11 inches. Both the back pad and seat pad are 2.5 inches high. 

One other thing you have to pay attention to with adjustable benches, in particular, is the pad gap. The pad gap is the distance between the back pad and the seat pad when it’s in a flat position, which is only 1.4 inches here. This is considered a “little gap,” so it shouldn’t feel like you’re sitting on a hole. If you’re trying to avoid pad gaps altogether, consider a flat bench or the REP Fitness AB-5000 zero-gap bench. 

Based on the information above and our knowledge of weight benches, the dimensions here receive a 4.5 out of 5.  

Padding

Experience has taught me that not all weight bench pads are created equal, so it’s refreshing that REP Fitness has put a lot of energy into this. As previously mentioned, the new iteration features the CleanGrip Pads. This is said to be grippier, firmer, and easier to clean than others. The brand says they made this upgrade in response to customer feedback, as trainees wanted something to stop them from sliding when bench pressing. 

We had a member of the Breaking Muscle team give it a try, and they enjoyed using it during their workout. They said the pad was thick and firm, and it wasn’t uncomfortable at all, whether they were seated, on their chest, or on their back.

Based on our proprietary rating system, the padding on this bench gets a 4.5 out of 5. 

Footprint and Portability

When the AB-5200 2.0 bench is fully assembled, it only takes up 10.33 square feet. To help you visualize how it might fit into your home gym space, consider this. The average bedroom is 132 square feet, and a one-car garage is about 240 square feet, so if you have that much area to work with, you probably can give this bench a dedicated space. Of course, this also depends on the other equipment you have in the room, like power racks, furniture, etc. 

Now, if you’re short on space and need to stow your bench after use, say hello to vertical storage. You can stow it vertically, and it’ll only take up 3.1 square feet. To do this, just pull up the knurled, stainless steel front handle until it stands all the way up. 

Although it’s 115 pounds (52.1 kilograms), the actual roll weight is more like 54 pounds (24.49 kilograms), so it’s not difficult to maneuver. To protect your floor, there’s UHMW plastic on the end of the bench to prevent scratches. This feature wasn’t on the last model, so it’s nice that REP Fitness made an update here. Lastly, the closed ladder design further ensures the pads are protected and stay in place. 

All in all, it’s a solid space-saving choice and isn’t challenging to move around, so we gave it a 4.5 out of 5. 

Performance and Ease of Use

Performance-wise, this bench may actually be better than some commercial gym options. It’s tough and can handle a powerlifter doing some serious barbell bench presses. REP Fitness says this bench was designed to allow for optimal performance no matter what position you’re in.

For example, they say that this bench only declines up to -8 because that level still lets you maintain proper leg drive for specific exercises. As a result, leg rollers aren’t even required for this bench. However, the lack of leg rollers might be a dealbreaker for those who want to use their bench to do a lot of core exercises and Nordic curls.  

This bench uses a closed-ladder mechanism to make angle adjustments to the seat and back pads. All you have to do is use one hand to move the ladder to one of the steel-cut grooves. It’ll fall in place so you can return to your workout without worrying about the bench flimsily moving around. Sadly, I can’t say the same for my FLYBIRD weight bench. 

Please note: If you get the adjustable post, there is an extra step you have to take. You’ll need to loosen the pop-pin on the post, pull it to adjust the angle, and twist it to tighten. Beginners may prefer the fixed post since it has fewer moving parts. 

Because it’s so simple to use and doesn’t impede one’s workout experience, we’re giving it a 4.5 out of 5. 

Related: Do This To Increase Your Bench Press

Incline Levels

If you stick with the fixed post, the bench will provide ten different back pad angles and four seat pad angles. The back pad angles are 0, 20, 30, 37.5, 45, 52.5, 60, 67.5, 75, and 80. If you upgrade to the adjustable post, you’ll have three additional decline angles, which are -8, -6, and -4. The seat pad angles are 0, 8, 20, and 30.

The original AB-5200 only had seven back pad angles and three seat pad angles, so the 2.0 model is a definite upgrade.

Available Attachments

At this time, the AB-5200 2.0 is not compatible with their leg roller or spotter platform attachments. Based on REP Fitness, the decline angle just isn’t aggressive enough to require a leg roller to help you hold your position. If that’s something you’d want, it might make sense to consider one of their other weight benches. Since attachments aren’t an option, we’re giving this a 1 out of 5. 

Warranty

The warranty on this FID bench isn’t bad, but we’ve seen better. For instance, there’s a ten-year warranty on the frame but only 30 days on the upholstery. We would’ve liked to see at least a 90-day warranty on the upholstery, like what you’d find on the Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0. Because of this, we rate it a 4 out of 5. 

REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench Specs

As you’re comparing the REP AB-5200 2.0 to other weight benches, there are some specs you need to keep in mind. Below, we’ll provide a quick overview of its dimensions, the materials it was made with, its weight capacity, and more. 

Dimensions

The REP AB-5200 2.0 has the following dimensions:

• Length: 57.6”
• Width: 25.8” 
• Height: 17.5”

Materials

The frame is made of 11-gauge steel, and the pads are created with their proprietary CleanGrip material. The latter is sticky enough to rip a paper towel, so it’s best to clean it with cloth. Even easy-to-overlook details are well-made, like the stainless steel handles and heavy-duty bolts. 

Pad Thickness

The seat and back pad are 2.5 inches thick. This foam pad is denser than the original AB-5200, but it’s still comfortable. 

Weight Capacity

This weight bench can support a 1,000-pound weight capacity, making it a good choice for beginners and advanced trainees alike. 

Compatible Attachments

Currently, there are no available attachments for the REP AB-5200 2.0 weight bench. 

REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench vs. Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0

A comparable option to the REP Fitness AB-5200 is the made-in-the-USA Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0. It’s a quality-built adjustable weight bench with an 11-gauge steel frame that provides different color options, includes ten back pad angle positions, and is stowable. 

However, this product, which has a smaller back pad width (11 inches) and doesn’t feature a decline option, costs around $595. On top of that, it’ll cost you an extra $100 if you want stainless steel rails and premium wheels. Those are very neat features, but they’re ones that many people might not care a whole lot about. 

If you’re trying to decide which one of these would be the best adjustable bench to buy, I’d say the REP AB-5200 2.0. It will give you similar functions and quality as the Rogue 3.0 but at a better price. Now, the Rogue 3.0 bench may be a better option if you’re super tight on storage space (it’s slightly smaller than the 5200) and want hardly any pad gap (one inch versus four inches)  Both are great options, though. What you pick comes down to personal preference and budget. 

Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0

4.5

• Dimensions: 17.5” H x 52” L x 11” W
• Weight capacity: 1,000 pounds
• Materials: 11-gauge steel, vinyl cover, rubber feet
• Warranty: Limited lifetime on the frame

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Related: Best Home Gym Machines

REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench Customer Reviews

Currently, REP Fitness has no authorized resellers in the United States, so you can only purchase products from their website. As a result, the only customer reviews we could find on the AB-5200 2.0 were on their own website. 

There are only 53 reviews at this time, and all of them are positive. Forty-nine of the reviews had 5-star ratings, with customers making remarks like, “The bench was exactly what I was hoping it would be. I’m a fairly big guy 6’4″ 290lbs, and the bench doesn’t budge.” Another happy customer said “I’ve been using this for a few weeks now and it’s a MASSIVE improvement over my previous bench. This thing is a tank. Super solid.”

There were four 4-star reviews. One customer said, “Great bench, but doesn’t decline low enough”. One other individual remarked, “I’ve used many benches in the last 14 years, and this one seems to be the most solid! Just don’t order it in red… it’s not really red.”

Final Verdict: Is the REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench Worth It?

Right now, the new and improved version of the REP AB-5200 2.0 Adjustable Bench is stealing the show. Unlike other benches, this one allows customers to have some creative freedom. They can select colors and even choose whether or not the decline option is something they want. Plus, it’s very well-constructed and attractive to the eye, making it stand out in any home or commercial gym it’s in. 

While the price might cause some people to look elsewhere, this bench packs a ton of value. 

Although it’s missing some versatility since you can’t add any attachments, it would still be worth it to most individuals. The knurled handles will come in handy when your palms are sweaty, and the stowability benefits those short on space. Anyone looking for a high-end FID bench built to promote optimal performance should consider the REP AB-5200 2.0.

FAQs

The post REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench Review (2023): Expert Tested appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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Although he competes in a vastly different sport, Mitchell Hooper can appreciate the superhuman strength and sheer determination it took for Ronnie Coleman to become the most decorated bodybuilder of all time. While the reigning World’s Strongest Man can toss around kettlebells and overhead press heavy logs with relative ease, he had to eat a proverbial slice of humble pie after attempting to match some of the eight-time Mr. Olympia winner’s best lifts.

In a video posted on his YouTube page on Nov. 16, 2023, Mitchell took on the improbable challenge of performing a Coleman-inspired back workout that included three basic exercises using loads that gave him a newfound appreciation for the living legend’s accomplishments in the gym.

Besides boasting an incredibly muscular and symmetrical physique, The King earned plenty of praise for his ability to train with the strength of a powerlifter (which Coleman was at one point). Known for working with extremely heavy weights and pushing himself to the point of failure, Coleman set personal records in some staple lifts that still seem unfathomable years later, including military pressing 315 pounds (143 kilograms) for 12 reps and squatting and deadlifting 800 pounds for two reps. Combining that powerbuilding approach with a high-protein diet and an ultra-disciplined lifestyle helped the Louisiana native collect 26 IFBB pro show wins, including eight consecutive Mr. Olympia titles from 1998-2005.

However, even for Hooper, who became the fourth person to win WSM and the Arnold Strongman Classic in the same year back in April 2023, Coleman’s training style seemed well beyond his capabilities. Still, the Canadian strongman showed he’s no slouch by making easy work of the first back exercise.

The three-part workout begins around the 1:05 mark of the video.

Conventional Deadlift — 800 pounds (362.9 kilograms) for two reps

Coleman famously completed two reps of an 800-pound conventional deadlift in the 2000 documentary Ronnie Coleman: The Unbelievable. For most people, replicating that feat would be downright impossible. Yet for Hooper, who has pulled 1,000 pounds, matching Coleman’s best deadlift didn’t present much of a challenge.

The 28-year-old started with a warm-up set of 575 pounds (260.8 kilograms), showcasing picture-perfect form by driving his hips forward during the lockout phase. Before performing his next set, Hooper pointed to the peanut tattoo on the inside of his left ankle and noted that he got it to pay homage to Coleman’s “Ain’t nothing but a peanut” signature catchphrase.

After a final warm-up set of 685 pounds (310.7 kilograms), the accomplished strongman raised the stakes and attempted to hit 800 pounds (362.9 kilograms) twice just as Coleman did more than two decades ago. Unsurprisingly, Hooper had no trouble matching The King’s best deadlift, completing two clean reps.

[Related: 7 Tips to Perfect Your Deadlift Form]

Bent-Over Row — 515 pounds (233.6 kilograms) for 10 reps

Six years after setting his deadlift PR, Coleman smashed 10 reps of barbell bent-over rows with a total of 515 pounds (233.6 kilograms) in the 2006 documentary Ronnie Coleman: Relentless. A taxing exercise that targets your lats, spinal erectors, glutes, hamstrings, and scapular stabilizers, this row variation requires excellent core strength to execute safely.

Despite his strongman background, Hooper didn’t have nearly the same level of confidence about being able to match Coleman’s bent-over row record as he did during the deadlift. Starting with a warm-up set of 405 pounds (183.7 kilograms) that already looked challenging, Hooper added another 50 pounds (22.7 kilograms) to the barbell.

“It’s funny how this is a really light deadlift, but when you pick it up and you’re now in the context of “you have to row it” the feeling is completely different,” he explained during his rest period.

Ultimately, Hooper didn’t even attempt to match the weight Coleman used in his prime. Instead, he topped out at eight reps of 455 pounds (206.4 kilograms) before moving on to the final exercise.

[Related: Legendary Ronnie Coleman Explains the Four Bodybuilding Poses That Built His Career]

T-Bar Row — 505 pounds (229 kilograms) for 12 reps

The session concluded with Hooper trying to go toe-to-toe with Coleman’s T-bar row record of 12 reps of 505 pounds (229 kilograms) set in 2006. He began with an easy warm-up set of 315 pounds (142.9 kilograms), which set the stage for a short discussion about the impact of lifting heavy.

“It’s a reality that every strength athlete has to face — that if you push yourself to the limit over and over and over it can result in long-term damage,” Hooper explained. “All you’re doing is shifting risk profiles. It’s important to recognize that pushing yourself to the limit does increase the risk of certain musculoskeletal issues down the track but it also completely diminishes the risk of others.

After sharing his insight about the dangers of training to the extreme, Hooper shifted his focus back to the corner of the gym for what turned out to be his final set of T-bar rows. As was the case with the bent-over rows, Hooper didn’t come close to matching one of his icons.

The winner of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition maxed out at 10 reps of 405 pounds (183.7 kilograms), proving that The King truly was (and still is) on another level.

Featured Image: Mitchell Hooper / YouTube

The post Mitchell Hooper Attempts 3 of Ronnie Coleman’s Heaviest Lifts Ever appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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If you want to improve your performance and protect your wrists from injury, you should consider investing in a pair of wrist wraps. Wrist wraps are a type of support gear that wraps around your wrists to provide extra stability and support. The best wrist wraps can even help you lift heavier weights and improve your technique!

But not all wrist wraps are created equal. Depending on your goals, preferences, and type of training, you’ll need a different style of wrist wrap. Some wraps are longer and stiffer, while others are shorter and more comfortable. Whether you’re into bodybuilding, powerlifting, weightlifting, or CrossFit, you’ll find the ideal pair of wrist wraps on this list for you.

How We Chose the Best Wrist Wraps

We’re a diverse team of certified fitness experts, exercise enthusiasts, and knowledgeable product testers. We have dozens of years of combined experience using wrist wraps for various activities and sports, and we tried out more than a dozen different pairs of wrist wraps specifically for this guide.

To help you choose the best wrist wraps for your needs, we’ve compiled a list of the eight top-rated wrist wraps on the market. We’ve reviewed their features, benefits, pros, and cons and compared them. During testing, we judged wrist wraps on their materials and construction, length and stiffness, closure mechanism, price, and more — rating each wrist wrap with a score between 1 to 5.

Our Top Picks for the Best Wrist Wraps

• Best Wrist Wraps Overall: Iron Bull Strength Classic Wrist Wraps
• Best Wrist Wraps for Powerlifting: SBD Wrist Wraps
• Best Wrist Wraps for Weightlifting: DMOOSE Wrist Wraps
• Best Wrist Wraps for CrossFit: 2POOD Wrist Wraps
• Best Wrist Wraps for Benching: Gymreapers Wrist Wraps
• Best Premium Wrist Wraps: SBD Wrist Wraps
• Best Stiff Wrist Wraps: Gymreapers Stiff Wrist Wraps
• Best Budget Wrist Wraps: Harbinger Red Line Wrist Wraps

Best Wrist Wraps Overall: Iron Bull Strength Classic Wrist Wraps

Iron Bull Strength Classic Wrist Wraps

4.5

• Material: Cotton-elastic blend
• Length: 18 inches
• Closure type: Velcro
• IPF-approved: No

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The Iron Bull Strength Classic Wrist Wraps offer great wrist support. They’re 18 inches long, which gives you at least two wraps around your wrist if you have an average build. I find the 18-inch length to be just right; it’s not so long that there’s a ton of bulk on my wrists due to the extra material, and their support is adequate for most weight training exercises.

Their three-inch width provides plenty of wrist coverage, covering enough of the base of your hand and wrist area for the wrap to do its job. Also, the cotton-elastic blend gives enough stretch for solid compression and wrist support in your workouts. I especially like the blended material of these wraps  — they’re soft, and the cotton breathes enough to help avoid excess sweating in the first place.

Moreover, the Velcro closure system of the Classic Wrist Wraps is intuitive and easy to use. The thumb loop offers an excellent anchor point to help put them on tightly, and, unlike other brands, the double-stitching is high quality. I especially like how the Velcro section is sticky and well-sized. Some brands use such a long strip that can cause the extra material to hang off the end, which can get caught on things and unravel your wraps. Plus, the thumb loop makes it easy to hang over a hook to dry between workouts. 

One of my favorite features of the Iron Bull wraps is their multi-functionality. They’re suitable for various training styles, from bodybuilding and Olympic weightlifting to CrossFit and powerlifting.  Their 18-inch length and cotton-elastic blend make them lightweight on your wrists for the dynamic workouts of CrossFit and supportive enough for heavier powerlifting. This means that you can continue using them when you want to switch up your training styles without having to buy a different pair of wrist wraps.

Unfortunately, the Iron Bulls aren’t perfect. The 18-inch length is a solid general length, but most people with average wrists will only be able to get two revolutions of the wraps around their wrists. This means you’ll have less support on heavier lifts, which might be noticeable if you’re at an advanced level in powerlifting.

On that note, these wrist wraps are USPA, IPL, IWF, and USAW-approved… but they aren’t approved for use in the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). Suppose you’re a competitive powerlifter or aspire to compete in the highest level of powerlifting in the future and want to use wrist wraps in competition. In that case, this means you’d have to buy a separate pair that’s approved for IPF use — you might want to consider the SBD Wrist Wraps instead if that applies to you.

All the above considered, we rank these 4.5 out of 5 stars for their great wrist support, easy-to-use Velcro closure system, and multi-functionality for different training styles. 

RELATED: Best Home Gym Equipment Essentials for Cardio, Strength Training, and More

Best Wrist Wraps for Powerlifting: SBD Wrist Wraps

SBD Wrist Wraps

4.5

• Material: 70% polyester/30% rubber (flexible), 56% rubber/44% polyester (stiff)
• Length: 15.7 inches (S), 23.6 inches (M), or 39.4 inches (L)
• Closure type: Velcro
• IPF-approved: Yes

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The standout feature of the SBD Wrist Wraps is that they’re IPF-approved. Investing in a pair of wrist wraps that you can practice with allows you to push your training harder, so you can (hopefully) get even stronger while getting comfortable using them before a competition. This way, you’ll step on the platform confidently in your support wear — letting you focus entirely on executing your attempts instead of worrying about your gear and how it’s fitting.

If you live and breathe powerlifting, these wrist wraps will not disappoint. They’re designed specifically for excellent wrist support; the thumb loop is heavy-duty and attached along industrial-grade fastening. But they didn’t stop there. 

SBD crafted them to match the maximum allowable width of 8 centimeters/3.15 inches, so you’ll get the best coverage between your hand and wrist for a solid cast-like level of support. They even have proprietary wide elastics in these wraps. One customer who bought the stiff mediums said they took a few times to break in, but after that, they give you the best protection from heavy weights. I’m seriously impressed and confident that whether you’re pushing new bench press PRs or back squat records, these wraps will help you hit them safely.

What surprised me the most about the SBDs is their range of lengths and stiffnesses. On their product page, they have three different lengths available: small (15.7 inches long), medium (23.6 inches long), or large (39.4 inches long). Combined with their detailed sizing chart, this means that whether you have small, average, or large wrists, you can find a wrist wrap length that will work great for you. 

Their two stiffness options, flexible or stiff, are built with varying amounts of polyester and rubber (elastic). For example, the flexible wraps have a 70% polyester-30% rubber blend that allows some wrist flexion and improved comfort due to the higher amount of polyester. The stiff wraps are woven with significantly more rubber, giving them more stretch and compression to fully immobilize your wrists. SBD mentions that most athletes will prefer the medium-length flexible wraps, but use their size guide to determine the ideal length for you.

These wrist wraps might be uncomfortable, especially if you choose their “stiff” option. One reviewer mentioned that their large-sized stiff wraps are excellent but can get really tight and start to cut off blood circulation to their wrists. 

When I didn’t see the material specs on their product page, a Breaking Muscle staff member reached out through their live chat and discovered that the stiff wrist wraps are 56 percent rubber (elastic) and 44 percent polyester blend. With over half the wraps’ material being elastic and zero cotton included, it’s no surprise these can be a tad uncomfortable.

It should come as no surprise that excellent quality comes at a price. At the time of writing, the SBDs retailed for $42.50. This makes them the most expensive wrist wraps out of all those featured in this article and possibly out of the budget of financially constrained lifters.

All the above considered, we rank these 4.5 out of 5 stars for their IPF approval, excellent build quality and durability, and various length and stiffness options available.

Best Wrist Wraps for Weightlifting: DMOOSE Wrist Wraps

DMoose Wrist Wraps

4.0

• Material: Cotton-elastic blend
• Length: 12 or 18 inches
• Closure type: Velcro
• IPF-approved: No

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Despite their affordable price, the DMOOSE Wrist wraps have a solid quality construction. The thumb loop features double stitching, so it will stand up to the rigorous Olympic lifts you’ll be performing with them. I found the Velcro fastening strip to be of good quality, so it won’t wear down within a couple of months as the poor-quality wrist wraps do.

These wrist wraps from DMOOSE are the best for weightlifting because, unlike other wrist wraps featured in this article, these have no polyester included. When woven with elastic, cotton is more flexible compared to polyester, and this pays off big time for the Olympic lifts. 

This lack of restriction allows you enough wrist mobility for your wrists to rotate freely in the snatch and to extend fully in the front rack portion of the clean and jerk. Despite its flexibility, the cotton-elastic blend still gives noticeable wrist support when the bar is extended overhead in the final step of both exercises.

I appreciate that these wrist wraps are offered in a 12-inch and an 18-inch option. The latter will fit and work well for average-sized wrists, but the former is still useful. Even though they’ll outgrow them, 12-inch long wrist wraps would be the ideal length for most teenagers because their bones are still growing, and the wrist wrap length they need is significantly smaller than that of the average adult. 

However, you might also find the 12-inch length useful if you are petite and/or have extremely small wrists – make sure to use the sizing chart before ordering a 12-inch size just to be sure it’s the right fit.

Although the 12-inch length is an option, I wouldn’t recommend it if you have average-sized wrists. 12 inches won’t give you enough length on the wraps to get an adequate number of revolutions for the wraps to provide significant support.

Sadly, it doesn’t look like these wrist wraps are approved for any weightlifting federations. This means that if you want to wear wrist wraps in a future weightlifting competition, you’ll have to invest in a separate pair to use them in both your training and your competitions.

All the above considered, we rank these 4 out of 5 stars for their Olympic lifting-friendly design, two length options, and comfortable material.

Best Wrist Wraps for CrossFit: 2POOD Wrist Wraps

2POOD Wrist Wraps

4.0

• Material: Cotton-elastic-polyester blend
• Length: 12 inches
• Closure type: Velcro
• IPF-approved: No

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These are the best wrist wraps for CrossFit due to their lightweight, supportive design. Out of all the wrist wraps in this round-up article, this pair of 12-inch wraps is the shortest we’ve featured, but that’s good for CrossFit. 

The typical WOD can be up to 30 minutes of continuous movement, so the last thing you want to do is constantly tighten, loosen, and otherwise fiddle with your 18 to 24-inch wrist wraps. Thanks to their 12-inch length, you can’t apply the 2POODs super tight in the first place, so they’ll stay comfortable and non-constricting during the entire workout. 

Plus, the secure hook and loop closure means these wrist wraps won’t randomly fly off during your WOD, whether you’re crushing some dumbbell power snatches or butterfly pull-ups. One of our product testers explained that they could see these being an asset because you can set and forget them. 

Their cotton-polyester-elastic material is great for exercises like thrusters, where some extra wrist support can be helpful, but they won’t hamper the wrist mobility needed for handstand walks. Further, the Velcro part of the fastening system is easy to apply and adjust, so using these for the first time is a piece of cake even for beginners.

Sponsorships aren’t always an indicator of quality, but it’s hard to deny the influence that the 2POOD wrist wraps have on the CrossFit community. After all, these wrist wraps became the official wrist wraps of the NOBULL CrossFit Games. This means that they got a large amount of publicity from the athletes, who presumably ended up wearing them during the events, and the fans who attended in person or those who watched online.

Surprisingly, some customers have left reviews about how the Velcro isn’t quite what they had hoped for. Instead of the Velcro strip being higher quality and sticky, several customers mention that it didn’t last more than a month on their wrist wraps before it began deteriorating and losing its adhesiveness. For example, one customer left a note saying that the wrist wraps perform great, but they’ve been experiencing Velcro issues with one of them, so it’s not gripping as it should and is leaving them slightly disappointed.

Finally, the 2POOD wrist wraps aren’t IPF-approved, but I don’t think that matters much. Unlike the SBD wrist wraps, these aren’t designed to help you excel at powerlifting — they were made to assist your CrossFit performance.

All the above considered, we rank these 4 out of 5 stars for their lightweight support, security, and easy-adjustability tension system.

Best Wrist Wraps for Benching: Gymreapers Wrist Wraps

Gymreapers Wrist Wraps

4.0

• Material: 30% Elastic and 70% Polyester blend 
• Length: 18 inches
• Closure type: Velcro
• IPF-approved: Yes

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The Classic Wrist Wraps from Gymreapers are excellent for benching. They feature a heavy-duty thumb loop, so you can use your thumb to anchor the wrap down before cinching it tight. I especially appreciate the 30/70 elastic-polyester blend; this is stiffer than a cotton-elastic blend. The former is what you want when trying to bench press as much weight as possible because the more rigid polyester material will provide more stiffness. 

One customer said that these wraps have a lot of elasticity, which helps provide better support on heavy pushing movements because they’ll offer better support due to the amount of stretchiness in the material. Also, the three-inch width is generous and offers plenty of hand & wrist coverage for maximal support. 

Gymreapers has made a serious push to get their support wear certified by well-known federations, and it shows. Their wrist wraps are IPF, IPL, and USAPL-approved, which means that if you’re competing in any of these federations, you can practice with the same gear in your training as you’ll compete with on the platform for a competitive edge.

I’m blown away by their warranty, which offers a lifetime replacement — this is practically unheard of for wear-and-tear items. The benefit is that whether they fail due to a factory defect or regular old wear and tear, you have total peace of mind about getting a replacement for free. 

One commenter explained that even when they had a small issue with one of their wrist wraps, Gymreapers just sent another set. So, if you want complete peace of mind, I think these are worth it. Another reviewer mentioned that they used them all the way up to a 385-pound bench press, and they did the job. If they can hold up to a near-400-pound bench press, they can hold up to almost anything.

It’s great that they’re approved in multiple federations, but seriously strong bench pressers might not find the Gymreapers wrist wraps supportive enough. Due to their 18-inch length, these will only wrap around average-sized wrists twice instead of the three revolutions you’ll get with a 24-inch wrist wrap. Because you get one less revolution, these wraps will feel less supportive. On an elite bench press attempt, that lack of stability is not something you’ll typically want.

Compared to cotton wrist wraps, the elastic-polyester blend of the Classics is noticeably less comfortable. If you have sensitive skin or you bruise easily, you might not enjoy using these as much as you would a cotton-elastic wrist wrap like the DMOOSE Wrist Wraps.

All the above considered, we rank these 4 out of 5 stars for their durable materials and construction, their approval for the IPF, IPL, and USAPL federations, and their lifetime replacement guarantee.

Best Premium Wrist Wraps: SBD Wrist Wraps

SBD Wrist Wraps

4.5

• Material: 70% polyester/30% rubber (flexible), 56% rubber/44% polyester (stiff)
• Length: 15.7 inches (S), 23.6 inches (M), or 39.4 inches (L)
• Closure type: Velcro
• IPF-approved: Yes

Check Price

This is the second time we’ve featured the SBD Wrist Wraps in this article. Compared to the Best Wrist Wraps for Powerlifting section, we’ve included why they’re also our top choice for premium wrist wraps below.

First, the build quality of the SBD Wrist Wraps is excellent. From the extra-thick thumb loop with commercial-grade stitching to their proprietary wide elastics, these wrist wraps live up to the hype. That’s why we’ve named them twice on this list—their quality makes them worth the premium price point.

I’m impressed that they took note of the maximum allowable width from the IPF rules on wrist wrap dimensions and matched it. The 3.15-inch width means that your hands and wrists will get the most robust support on the market. But the story is far from over; SBD offers their wraps in three sizes (small, medium, and large) to fit as many lifters as possible while even catering to their wrap stiffness preferences. 

Yes, that’s right — they offer two stiffnesses to their wraps: “flexible” to allow more wrist movement and “stiff” to immobilize your wrist completely. With this quality and range of choice, it’s clear that they’re the premium wrist wrap option.

Many brands source their products from developing countries because it’s cheaper. Unfortunately, these savings often come at the expense of worse workers’ rights and unsafe manufacturing processes. The SBDs are designed and manufactured in Great Britain, so you’re supporting local manufacturing and jobs, which adds to the list of reasons these are the best premium wrist wraps.

Regarding support wear, SBD is the cream of the crop. Even though “SBD” means “Squat, Bench, Deadlift”, which refers to the power lifts themselves, the quality and workmanship that backs this brand could be why many of the top athletes in powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and Strongman/Strongwoman decide to sport this gear. 

With that in mind, it’s hard to go wrong with these wrist wraps when the SBD brand is trusted by many athletes at the top of their sport. Oh, and being approved by the most stringent powerlifting federation in the world (the IPF) is a nice touch, too.

For how well-made these are, I’m amazed at their affordability. The SBDs retail at just $42.50 and they have everything you expect in a premium wrist wrap: a sturdy yet flexible material with a secure closure system — all of which is manufactured in Great Britain. Coupled with their IPF approval, two stiffness options, and three lengths, they’re the ultimate choice for anyone who wants the best wrist wraps on the market.

Unfortunately, shipping fees are not waived. I wasn’t expecting the shipping to be free, but considering the premium price and small packaging compared to larger home gym equipment items, shipping could disappoint some shoppers. Full disclosure: I did a mock checkout with these wraps, and the 3-6 business day option with USPS was only $5.00 — nothing to get worked up about.

Lastly, these wrist wraps from SBD are all in metric sizes only. For instance, the lengths are 40, 60, and 100 centimeters for the small, medium, and large wraps — respectively. This may seem trivial, but as the premium wrist wrap option in this article, it would be great to see imperial sizes offered as well for American shoppers.

All the above considered, we rank these 4.5 out of 5 stars for their excellent quality, sizing, and stiffness options, local manufacturing, and brand trust.

Best Stiff Wrist Wraps: Gymreapers Stiff Wrist Wraps

Gymreapers Stiff Wrist Wraps

4.0

• Material: Stiff cotton with reinforced elastic
• Length: 12, 18, 24, or 36 inches
• Closure type: Velcro
• IPF-approved: Yes

Check Price

These wrist wraps from Gymreapers are your ticket if you want a stiff level of wrist support. First, they’re made from more rigid cotton that’s less flexible than the Iron Bull Strength Classic Wrist Wraps. There’s also a reinforced elastic material woven into the cotton that strengthens the main body of the wraps. The end features a longer, flexible area with the Gymreapers logo in silicone so that maximal compression can be applied to your wrist. Even the thumb loop is thicker and has more durable stitching to avoid tears and maximize durability. 

I’m glad there are multiple length options offered for these wrist wraps. Four sizes are available: 12-inch, 18-inch, 24-inch, and 36-inch. This means that whether you have a petite wrist, an average-sized wrist, or a larger wrist thickness, you can find an ideal fit for your wrist wraps. 

However, the extra-long 36-inch wrap also allows regular lifters to size up if they want. Doing so would let you get one or two additional revolutions around your wrists with the wraps, making them even tighter and maximizing their stiffness.

Similar to the Gymreapers Classics, the stiff wraps are backed by an impressive warranty — the lifetime replacement guarantee. This warranty stipulates that you can get a free replacement for your wrist wraps throughout their life. Defect issues are also covered at no cost.

The major downside to these wraps is that they’re simply not as comfortable as standard cotton wrist wraps because of the specific cotton and reinforced elastic materials. Discomfort is just the beginning, though. In the worst-case scenario, an over-zealous wrapping job could cause bruising or minor cuts in your skin.

Honestly, I’m shocked that these aren’t IPF-approved. The Classics from Gymreapers are certified for competition use in the IPF and have less robust specs than these, so I thought for sure the same would go for their stiff wrist wraps. Their compression and material would be ideal for competitive powerlifting, warranting a submission to the IPF-approved gear application process… maybe next year?

Lastly, these wrist wraps aren’t the most affordable. They retail closely to the other most expensive pair of wrist wraps in this list, around $30 at the time of writing, but you do appear to be able to save 10 percent on your order by entering your email address into the pop-up window on their website.

All the above considered; we rank these 4 out of 5 stars for their stiff, heavy-duty construction, four length options, and lifetime replacement guarantee.

Best Budget Wrist Wraps: Harbinger Red Line Wrist Wraps

Harbinger Red Line Wrist Wraps

3.5

• Material: Not listed
• Length: 18 inches
• Closure type: Velcro
• IPF-approved: No

Check Price

These Harbinger wrist wraps are the best budget option I found. It should come as no surprise that they’re widely affordable, roughly $16 at the time of publishing. Compared to the most expensive pair of wrist wraps on our list, the SBD Wrist Wraps, these budget-friendly ones cost you about a third of their price — before shipping fees. 

Speaking of shipping fees, these wrist wraps are sold on Amazon, which means that if you’re a Prime member, you can save even more! Two-day (or faster shipping) is often available to Prime members while shopping through Amazon, giving you access to their generous and convenient return policies.

For how well-priced these are, I’m pleasantly surprised with the features they have. They have what appears to be a decent-quality thumb loop, a durable elastic body, Velcro that looks like it will work for at least a few months, and an 18-inch length that will be suitable for most weight-lifting activities.

What caught my eye on the product page was the amount of praise these wrist wraps have received from customers. Harbinger is a well-known brand that’s been in business for years, but it’s comforting to know that most customers are happy with the quality of these wrist wraps. For example, they achieved a 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon with over 4,400 reviews. 

One Breaking Muscle staff member also saw a special notice when viewing the page that said, “Customers usually keep this item” and explained that compared to similar products, the Harbinger wrist wraps had fewer returns than average. Perhaps that’s a testament to their excellent quality.

Unfortunately, I had no luck finding their construction material on the product listing. While I wouldn’t be surprised if these were made with an extra-cheap material to cut costs even further to generate a profit, they look like a cotton-elastic blend like many wrist wraps in this list. I think it’s pretty far-fetched to expect these to be IPF-approved, considering their budget-friendly price, so don’t expect to step on a competition platform with them any time soon.

All the above considered, we rank these 3.5 out of 5 stars for their budget-friendly price, inclusion of useful wrist wrap features, and availability of Amazon perks for Prime members.

Benefits of Using Wrist Wraps for Lifting

Wrist Stability and Support

The main benefit of using wrist wraps is stability. When worn correctly around the base of your hand and wrist, the stiffness and compression from the wrist wrap material prevent your wrist from moving — similar to how a cast immobilizes an injured limb. This effect is most noticeable in free-weight pressing exercises like the barbell bench press or barbell overhead press, where they limit wrist flexion and extension even when the weight is heavy.

However, wrist wraps will continue to support your wrists even if they flex or extend under load. For example, some lifters use wrist wraps to keep the wrists extended on their low-bar back squat, holding the barbell in the correct spot across their rear delts. Despite being bent backward with hundreds of pounds pushing down on them, powerlifters continue to set world records with extended wrists while squatting — and their wraps continue to keep their wrists safe even under these extreme loads.

Additional Support After Injury

Injuries to the hand, wrist, or forearm can sometimes prevent you from holding a barbell or dumbbell correctly, even after you’ve healed. In extreme cases, even a slight deviation from a neutral wrist position under heavy weight could cause severe pain and/or further injury. In these situations, wrist wraps may provide enough wrist stability, compression, and support for you to continue to exercise. Always consult your medical doctor to ensure you can train safely after an injury.

After breaking their wrist years ago, one of our Breaking Muscle staff members finds it still bothers them when they perform the barbell overhead press, even though it’s technically healed. Using wrist wraps on their heavier sets allows them to push the movement hard without wrist pain. 

Weight May Feel Lighter in Your Hands

The weight of a barbell in your hands can feel lighter or heavier depending on how tight you grip it. This is because of proprioception, which is how your body senses itself and the world around it. Proprioception is triggered by receptors in your skin, muscles, tendons, and joints that send signals to your brain. The more you squeeze the barbell, the more signals you send, and the more aware you are of the weight and body position. 

When applied tightly, the compression on your forearm muscles from wrist wraps can make your fingers curl inward, making your grip stronger than usual. This is why some elite deadlifters use wrist wraps when they deadlift. They make you feel more confident and strong — so wrist wraps can provide a psychological benefit that might encourage you to lift heavier or push for more reps than you would without them.

When Should You Use Wrist Wraps?

Generally, you’ll want to wear wrist wraps on exercises where force pushes down into your wrist joint — the most common examples are below.

Pressing exercises

Bench presses and overhead presses are the most popular lifts to use wrist wraps for. During these exercises, maintaining a neutral wrist position is helpful to transfer force more efficiently into the implement you’re lifting. Wrist wraps are often used with the free-weight variations of these pressing exercises, but they can still provide noticeable benefits when used on their machine variations, too.

Back squats

Surprisingly, wrist wraps can also be an asset on back squats — particularly low-bar back squats. Since the low-bar position requires the barbell to be placed lower on your back across your rear delts, this style sometimes forces lifters to hold their wrists in extension to keep the bar in place. Unfortunately, this position can be painful with hundreds of pounds pushing downward — wrist wraps can help absorb the load and make the position painless.

Olympic lifts 

You should also consider wearing wrist wraps on Olympic lifts like snatches and clean & jerks. Although the first part of each lift is a pull from the floor, both movements finish overhead in a position that will put downward pressure on your wrists. The issue is that both exercises, especially the clean and jerk, require a significant amount of wrist mobility during the initial parts of the movement. For this reason, consider using a shorter wrist wrap and/or experiment with the tightness and technique of how you put them on.

Deadlifts

As mentioned previously, some elite deadlifters use wrist wraps when they deadlift. This is because the compression on your finger-flexing muscles can cause your hand to close, which can trick you into thinking you have a stronger grip. The key is to make a fist and wrap the wrist wraps as tightly as you can.

Most of the time, you’ll find lifting straps more helpful on deadlifts than wrist wraps. However, they might be worth practicing with and using if your federation allows them to be used in competition — because wrist straps almost certainly won’t be permitted. 

What to Consider When Buying Wrist Wraps

Materials and Construction

Wrist wraps are usually made of a thumb loop on one end, an elastic body, and a Velcro closure system on the other end. The thumb loop helps to secure the wrap around your wrist, while the elastic body provides support and stability for your wrist joint. The Velcro closure system allows you to adjust the tightness and fit of the wrap according to your preference and comfort.

There are different types of materials used for wrist wraps, such as a cotton-elastic blend or a tri-blend of elastic, polyester, and cotton. Cotton and elastic wraps are softer and more breathable, but they may stretch over time and lose their elasticity. Elastic, polyester, and cotton blends are more durable and resistant to stretching, but they may be less comfortable and more prone to causing skin irritation.

Another important factor to consider is the construction of the wrist wraps, especially the seams. Since wrist wraps are subjected to a lot of pulling and tension during use, they should have strong and sturdy seams that can withstand the stress. Double-stitched seams are recommended at a minimum, especially for the thumb loop, the anchor point that gets the most tension when you put on the wrist wraps. You should also check the quality of the Velcro and make sure it is not too rough or too weak.

Similar to knee sleeves, there’s a significant amount of pulling and tension involved in using wrist wraps. They should have double-stitched seams at a minimum, especially for the thumb loop, because that’s the anchor point that gets the most tension when the wrist wraps are being put on.

Length

The length of wrist wraps can range from 12 inches up to 36 inches long. Here are the most common lengths.

• Twelve inches is a good length for teenagers due to their still-developing bones and for adults with extremely small wrists. Additionally, 12-inch lengths are suitable for CrossFit because they provide lightweight support without compromising the high degree of wrist mobility needed in the sport.
• Eighteen inches can be great for those with smaller wrists and Olympic weightlifting; because of the shorter length, they won’t wrap around your wrists as many times, which can give you more mobility in your snatches and cleans while still giving some support for your jerks.
• Twenty-four inches is the sweet spot for most people because this length allows for about three wraps around the average person’s wrist, which is just right for providing a noticeable level of support.
• Thirty-six inches is starting to get excessively long. Ordinary people will find these wrap around your wrists a lot, which can add too much bulk to your wrist area. That said, some folks with large wrists may find that the 36-inch length gives enough revolutions to provide adequate support. Also, experienced powerlifters can sometimes prefer four to six wraps around their wrists than the standard two to three that 20-inch wraps will offer.

Stiffness

One of the main factors to consider when buying wrist wraps is stiffness, which depends on two things: the material and the length. 

Wrist wraps with a blend of cotton, elastic, and polyester will provide more tension than those only made from cotton and elastic. This means they will support your wrists better and prevent injuries, but they will also limit your range of motion and flexibility. 

Longer wraps also allow you to perform more wraps around your wrist, increasing stiffness and stability. However, too many wraps can cut off blood circulation and cause discomfort. Therefore, you should choose the stiffness level that suits your goals and preferences.

Type of Training

Different types of training will require different types of wrist wraps. Depending on your goals and preferences, choose wrist wraps that suit your specific needs. Here are some common types and the corresponding wrist wraps that may work best for them:

• General fitness: If you’re doing general fitness exercises, such as push-ups, dumbbell presses, or kettlebell swings, you won’t need heavy or stiff wrist wraps. You can opt for lighter and more flexible wrist wraps that provide enough support that you’d find in a 12-inch length.
• Powerlifting: If you’re doing powerlifting exercises, such as the back squat and bench press, you’ll need more rigid and supportive wrist wraps to handle heavy loads and prevent wrist injuries. You should opt for thicker and stiffer wrist wraps with more elasticity and less give. 24-inch is a great length or 36-inches for advanced powerlifters.
• Olympic lifting: If you’re doing Olympic lifting exercises, such as snatch, clean, or jerk, you’ll need more flexible and dynamic wrist wraps that can allow you to move your wrists freely and quickly. Opt for thinner and softer wrist wraps made from a cotton-elastic blend and are no longer than 18 inches.
• CrossFit: If you’re doing CrossFit exercises, such as thrusters, burpees, and pull-ups, you’ll need shorter and less compressive wrist wraps that can handle different movements and extended workout periods. You should opt for lightweight wrist wraps that are made from cotton and are between 12 to 18 inches long.
• Strongman/Strongwoman: If you’re doing strongman/strongwoman exercises, such as atlas stones, farmer’s walk, or log press, you’ll need durable and resilient wrist wraps that can withstand extreme pressure and abrasion. Choose stiff wrist wraps made from a tri-blend for high elasticity and low give — the 24 to 36-inch length is ideal for this sport.

Competition Approval

If you plan to compete in powerlifting meets, you may need to check if the governing bodies approve your wrist wraps for those sports. Different federations may have different rules and regulations regarding the specifications and usage of wrist wraps.

For example, the IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) is the world’s leading powerlifting federation that organizes international events like the World Powerlifting Championships. The IPF has strict rules on the size, material, design, and brand of wrist wraps that can be used in competitions. The maximum length of wrist wraps is one meter (39 inches), and the maximum width is eight centimeters (three inches). The IPF also has a list of approved brands that can be used in its competitions.

You should always check with the competition organizers before using wrist wraps to ensure they comply with their rules.

Final Thoughts

Wrist wraps are a valuable accessory for anyone who wants to improve their performance and protect their wrists from injury. They come in different sizes, colors, styles, and stiffness levels. When buying wrist wraps, you should consider the material and the length of the wrap, as they affect the tension and support the wrap provides.

Best Wrist Wraps: Side-by-Side Comparison

Best Wrist Wraps Overall	Best Wrist Wraps for Powerlifting	Best Wrist Wraps for Weightlifting	Best Wrist Wraps for CrossFit	Best Wrist Wraps for Benching	Best Stiff Wrist Wraps	Best Budget Wrist Wraps
Iron Bull Strength Classic Wrist Wraps	SBD Wrist Wraps	DMoose Wrist Wraps	2POOD Wrist Wraps	Gymreapers Wrist Wraps	Gymreapers Stiff Wrist Wraps	Harbinger Red Line Wrist Wraps
4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	3.5
Description: Material: Cotton-elastic blend Length: 18 inches Closure type: Velcro IPF-approved: No	Description: Material: 70% polyester/30% rubber (flexible), 56% rubber/44% polyester (stiff) Length: 15.7 inches (S), 23.6 inches (M), or 39.4 inches (L) Closure type: Velcro IPF-approved: Yes	Description: Material: Cotton-elastic blend Length: 12 or 18 inches Closure type: Velcro IPF-approved: No	Description: Material: Cotton-elastic-polyester blend Length: 12 inches Closure type: Velcro IPF-approved: No	Description: Material: 30% Elastic and 70% Polyester blend  Length: 18 inches Closure type: Velcro IPF-approved: Yes	Description: Material: Stiff cotton with reinforced elastic Length: 12, 18, 24, or 36 inches Closure type: Velcro IPF-approved: Yes	Description: Material: Not listed Length: 18 inches Closure type: Velcro IPF-approved: No
Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Best Wrist Wraps Overall

Iron Bull Strength Classic Wrist Wraps

4.5

Description:

• Material: Cotton-elastic blend
• Length: 18 inches
• Closure type: Velcro
• IPF-approved: No

Check Price

Best Wrist Wraps for Powerlifting

SBD Wrist Wraps

4.5

Description:

• Material: 70% polyester/30% rubber (flexible), 56% rubber/44% polyester (stiff)
• Length: 15.7 inches (S), 23.6 inches (M), or 39.4 inches (L)
• Closure type: Velcro
• IPF-approved: Yes

Check Price

Best Wrist Wraps for Weightlifting

DMoose Wrist Wraps

4.0

Description:

• Material: Cotton-elastic blend
• Length: 12 or 18 inches
• Closure type: Velcro
• IPF-approved: No

Check Price

Best Wrist Wraps for CrossFit

2POOD Wrist Wraps

4.0

Description:

• Material: Cotton-elastic-polyester blend
• Length: 12 inches
• Closure type: Velcro
• IPF-approved: No

Check Price

Best Wrist Wraps for Benching

Gymreapers Wrist Wraps

4.0

Description:

• Material: 30% Elastic and 70% Polyester blend 
• Length: 18 inches
• Closure type: Velcro
• IPF-approved: Yes

Check Price

Best Stiff
Wrist Wraps

Gymreapers Stiff Wrist Wraps

4.0

Description:

• Material: Stiff cotton with reinforced elastic
• Length: 12, 18, 24, or 36 inches
• Closure type: Velcro
• IPF-approved: Yes

Check Price

Best Budget Wrist Wraps

Harbinger Red Line Wrist Wraps

3.5

Description:

• Material: Not listed
• Length: 18 inches
• Closure type: Velcro
• IPF-approved: No

Check Price

FAQs

The post Best Wrist Wraps for Powerlifting, CrossFit, Bench Pressing, and More (2023) appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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Early time-restricted low-carb eating works in type 2 diabetes.

Lithium disrupts locomotor activity in honeybees.

Menopausal women who strength train and take vitamin D have better outcomes for sarcopenia.

Light pollution prevents turtle hatchlings from finding the ocean.

Saying “hello” and “thank you” throughout the day improves your quality of life.

New Primal Kitchen Podcasts

Primal Kitchen Podcast: The Benefits of Medical Marijuana and Psychedelics

Primal Health Coach Radio: Michael Kummer

Media, Schmedia

How math built the modern world.

Interesting Blog Posts

The power of paying attention.

Social Notes

They’re right.

Everything Else

Gargling with salt water is good against COVID.

Nudity pays (on Instagram).

Things I’m Up to and Interested In

Reminder: Fish fat good against allergies.

Of course: Strength training helps everyone, even swimmers.

Not surprised: Company runs live gene editing trial in ten people to lower their cholesterol; 1 dies after a few days and another gets a heart attack right away.

Interesting: Bonobos are good with other bonobos while chimps are good with tools.

Good to know: Nutrient deficiencies related to bruxism.

Question I’m Asking

Do you notice small details throughout the day?

Recipe Corner

• Paleo Thanksgiving recipes.
• Brown butter.

Time Capsule

One year ago (Nov 11 – Nov 17)

• How to Get Over Jet Lag—How to do it.
• Natural and Alternative Eczema Treatments—Worth a try.

Comment of the Week

“Longevity is mobility is something I learned from my mother, who worked as a CNA in nursing homes for over 30 years. Most of the longest-lived residents she took care of were still ambulatory until the end. They were mentally sharp, too. That’s why I (nearly) always take the stairs, and I read everything I get my hands on.“

-Love it!

The post New and Noteworthy: What I Read This Week—Edition 246 appeared first on Mark’s Daily Apple.

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The Primal Blueprint, and the book of the same name, offers a framework for achieving your personal best health, vitality, and longevity. It is organized into 10 Primal Laws derived from anthropology, sociology, biology, psychology, and common sense. These laws describe the diet, movement, and lifestyle practices that lead to optimal gene expression—the practices that have allowed humans to thrive for hundreds of thousands of years, but which many people struggle to achieve in the modern world. 

Today we will talk about the two Primal Laws that describe how to eat according to the Primal Blueprint.  

What Is a Primal Diet?

A Primal diet is not a “diet” in the way the word is commonly used. It’s not a rigid set of rules centered around caloric restriction or “allowed” foods, usually prescribed for the express purpose of weight loss. Instead, a Primal diet honors, approximates, and emulates the spirit of the dietary environment available to humans for most of our history. 

To eat according to the Primal Blueprint means choosing foods that provide the body with all the building blocks it needs to function (amino acids, fatty acids, nutrients, and more) while avoiding foods, and modern “frankenfoods,” that erode your health. It means giving your body all the energy it needs to be strong, active, and well. 

In answer to the hugely contentious question of which diet—plant-based, vegan, carnivore, Mediterranean, “everything in moderation”—is best, the Primal Blueprint puts forth a simple answer: The best diet for humans is one comprising the foods that humans are designed to eat. 

Primal Diet: Ancestral Eating in the Modern World

Despite what you might have heard about Primal, paleo, and the more general ancestral health movement, the goal isn’t to get you to eat “like a caveman.” For one thing, many of the foods that were around millennia ago have been changed by natural evolution and human agriculture. Furthermore, the foods your far-back ancestors ate depended entirely on the geographic location from which they hailed. 

The environments in which we eat are also different. Food has never been more abundant and easier to procure. We are more stressed, more rushed, and more sedentary. We are less exposed to dirt and the accompanying microbes that populate the gastrointestinal tract. 

In short, the idea isn’t that we should be eating exactly like our ancestors did. The Primal Blueprint takes lessons from human history and modern science to decide what, when, why, and how (much) to eat—and, importantly, what to avoid.  Primal Laws #1 and #2 cover the what and the why. The how and when are discussed extensively here on the blog; I’ll provide an overview in this post.  

The Primal Blueprint Diet Laws

The 10 Primal Laws start with diet—what to eat and what to avoid. That’s because of all the environmental inputs we can leverage for proper gene expression, diet arguably has the biggest impact in the shortest time. 

Primal Law #1: Eat lots of animals, insects, and plants.

This is the basic description of everything our ancestors ate to get the protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phenols, fiber, water, and other nutrients necessary to sustain life, build strong muscles, expend lots of energy each day moving about,  maintain healthy immune systems, evolve larger brains, and raise healthy children. 

As you can see, this law leaves plenty of room for you to structure your diet according to your personal tastes, preferences, and needs. Perhaps you prefer to eat relatively more plants than animals, or vice versa. You might be a gourmand who takes great pleasure in creating elaborate dishes and trying new foods, or maybe you’re content to repeat a few simple meals over and over. As long as you prioritize close-to-nature foods from these broad categories, you’re headed in the right direction. 

Read more about Law #1 and get specifics about what to eat according to the Primal Blueprint here.

Primal Law #2: Avoid poisonous things.

Humans’ ability to exploit almost every corner of this earth was partly predicated on their ability to consume vastly different types of plant and animal life. Exploring a new environment and trying new foods posed a danger: the new food might contain potent toxins. 

You probably don’t have to fear food-borne illness anymore, aside from an occasional bout with non-lethal food poisoning. Instead, we contend with ubiquitous modern foods that undermine our health more slowly and more insidiously. Whereas our ancestors’ keen senses of smell and taste helped sort out the good from the bad, our ability to distinguish good from bad is now thwarted by food manufacturing and clever marketing.

Read more about Law #2 here.

Other Considerations for Primal Eating

Understanding what to eat is only half the battle. You still have to translate that knowledge into action. Here are some other factors that come into play.

Macronutrient intake

Protein: Protein takes priority. The amino acids in protein don’t just go toward making muscle. They’re necessary for all structures in the body, for making hormones and neurotransmitters, and for facilitating enzymatic reactions. Protein is also highly satiating, quelling excessive hunger and the urge to snack around the clock. Most people probably aren’t eating nearly enough protein, especially as they get on in years. 

Carbohydrates: Primal is a “low-carb diet” in comparison to the Standard American Diet, and similar ilks, in which grains and sugars run rampant. A primary goal of the Primal Blueprint is for you to become fat-adapted, so fat becomes a primary fuel instead of glucose (sugar). That doesn’t mean Primal is anti-carb. Carbs are fuel, but excessive carb intake leads to chronically high insulin and the health consequences you can expect as a result. Limit your carb intake to nutrient-dense varieties and only in the amount that you need to provide glucose to the brain and fuel your activities. (Hint: it’s less than you probably think.) 

The Primal Blueprint Carbohydrate Curve lays out reasonable targets for carb intake.  

Fats: Learn to love them. Fats are the fuel of choice in the Primal Blueprint. Beside providing energy, they are necessary for certain crucial metabolic functions and have little to no impact on insulin. On a Primal eating style, the plurality of your calories will likely come from healthy fats. 

What about calories?

Most popular diets look at overall calories as the main factor in weight loss, weight gain, and, by implication, overall health. They don’t care about where those calories come from. Despite that age-old Conventional Wisdom mantra that “a calorie is a calorie,” for reasons I explain in depth elsewhere, a calorie is not a calorie. The different macronutrients we eat have different effects in the body, and diets that focus only on calorie restriction miss the point of eating to be healthy, not just skinny.

That doesn’t mean that calories don’t matter. They do. Or rather, it’s important not to intake a lot more energy than you expend over the course of weeks, months, and years. Energy excess is a catalyst for many downstream health issues. I just don’t think calorie counting is the answer for most people.

That’s why the Primal Blueprint doesn’t prescribe specific calorie intakes. Our genes want us to be lean and fit. And that starts with eating from the long list of Primal Blueprint healthy foods and trying to avoid that other list of grain-laden, sugary, processed, and otherwise unhealthy foods.

When: Meal timing, fasting, and seasonal eating

Remember that our genes are accustomed to the way our ancestors ate: intermittently, sporadically, sometimes in large quantities, and sometimes not at all for days. This random or “non-linear” eating pattern kept their bodies in a constant state of preparedness. That said, for newcomers to the Primal Blueprint, what you eat is more important than when. There’s no point worrying about carb cycling or optimal meal timing if you’re still eating mostly grains and sugars. That’s all stuff you can worry about down the road.    

When you’re ready, I’ve written about intermittent fasting (IF) extensively on the blog. As I’ve said many times, when it comes to health and longevity, most of the magic happens when we aren’t eating. It’s important to give your body time to engage in the maintenance, repair, and building processes that are inherent to health and healthy aging. IF has incredible benefits, and you have options when it comes to implementation.

Lastly, seasonal eating isn’t mandatory, but it can be a great way to vary your carb sources and keep your food interesting. If you’re shopping at your local farmer’s markets, you’ll naturally find different options in the summer, fall, winter, and spring.

A Final Word about Food Quality

Although it’s not explicitly covered by the Primal laws, food quality is an important consideration for Primal eating. In a perfect world, a Primal diet would comprise grass-fed/pastured beef and dairy products, pastured chicken and pork, wild seafood, and produce raised organically or pesticide-free. 

The world isn’t perfect, of course, and the “ideal” foods aren’t always available or budget-friendly (although it’s worth pointing out that few things are a better investment of time and money than high-quality food). The goal of a Primal diet is to eat the best foods you can, understanding that you might need to compromise on organic or buy conventionally raised meat sometimes. Don’t sell yourself short, but also don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.

I started Primal Kitchen in order to make healthy eating easier and more delicious. What started out as just mayo has blossomed into an entire line of better-for-you condiments, sauces, oils, and dressings. Selfishly, I was sick of having to make all my own condiments at home. I also heard over and over from people in the Primal community that convenience was a major barrier to fully embracing a Primal way of eating. So, I made products with avocado oil and without refined sugar, seed oils, or other questionable ingredients—products that make meat and vegetables taste good. Now, if you do have to compromise, it won’t be on flavor. 

As I said, I think diet is the foundation of good health. If you’re new to the Primal Blueprint, start with Laws #1 and #2. To learn more about the other pillars of health, check out the Primal Blueprint movement and lifestyle laws. 

The post What Is a Primal Diet? appeared first on Mark’s Daily Apple.

Originally Posted At: https://breakingmuscle.com/feed/rss

Derek Lunsford etched his name in bodybuilding record books by becoming the first two-division champion in the 59-year history of the Mr. Olympia contest. Coming off that life-changing victory in Orlando, FL that earned him the most coveted title in the sport and a lucrative $400,000 prize, the 18th member of the exclusive Mr. Olympia club paid homage to some of the all-time greats by visiting one of the most well-known gyms in the country: the Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym.

Located in Syosset, NY, the 30,000-square-foot facility opened in 1987 and has served as a training ground for household names like four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler and the legendary Ronnie Coleman. In a video posted on his YouTube page on Nov. 16, 2023, Lunsford shared highlights from his intense back workout at the iconic gym better known as the “East Coast Mecca.”

Before he dove into his training session, Lunsford spent time with Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym owner and IFBB Pro League head judge Steve Weinberger. The 2021 212 Olympia winner signed a few autographs and discussed his mindset with Weinberger, who’s witnessed how former champions handle the post-victory phase differently.

“Your competition holds you accountable,” Lunsford explained. “These guys are hungry, so literally from the time I stepped off stage this past week, I’ve already been back at the gym training, talking to Hany [Rambod], making sure we’re versing out of this appropriately.”

After reminiscing about his first trip to Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym in 2020 and reflecting upon how much his life has changed, Lunsford shifted his attention to training his lats and other back muscles. The workout begins at the 10:40 mark of the video.

Close-Grip Cable Lat Pulldown

Lunsford’s back session began with close-grip cable lat pulldowns. Leaning back slightly throughout the movement, he allowed the weight to completely stretch his lats on the way up before pulling down and squeezing at the bottom.

Rather than performing a high number of sets like he normally would, Lunsford took a different approach during his day at the East Coast Mecca. Between the impact of traveling and having so many machines at his disposal, he opted to do more exercises, capping the number of sets of close-grip lat pulldowns at four.

Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown Machine

Next, Lunsford attacked his lats from a wider angle on a plate-loaded pulldown machine. Grasping the handles with a pronated (palms-down) grip, he started with a warm-up set using a 45-pound (20.4-kilogram) plate per side. After completing 15 slow-and-controlled reps, he doubled the weight for his second set.

Inspired by the variety of gym equipment available in training facilities he’s used recently, Lunsford shared some insight about one of his personal goals.

“I went to Ronnie’s gym the other day and saw his gym and it just fires me up for me to have my own gym in Clearwater,” the Florida resident said. “Just have it right there 15 to 20 minutes from the house, and get to pick out all the best pieces of equipment that’s going to help me be my best. I just really can’t wait.”

Lunsford wrapped up this portion of the workout with a third set of wide-grip lat pulldowns using 115 pounds (52.1 kilograms) worth of plates on each side.

Neutral-Grip Lat Pulldown Machine

Sticking with the same machine, Lunsford simply switched his grip to get a different stimulus. After performing close- and wide-grip versions of lat pulldowns, he utilized a neutral grip to “light up” his lats without placing too much stress on his wrists.

Just as he did with the first two variations, Lunsford executed three sets of this exercise. Having achieved a noticeable pump that brought out the striations in his biceps, shoulders, and chest, the recently crowned champion moved on to the row-based portion of his back session.

[Related: Best Bodybuilding Supplements for Muscle Mass, Fat Loss, and More]

Chest-Supported Incline Row Machine

Lunsford chose a chest-supported incline row machine as his first method of attacking the upper part of his posterior chain. With his chest firmly against the pad, his feet anchored on the platform, and his body leaned slightly forward, Lunsford took hold of the handles and engaged his rhomboids, lats, and rear deltoids to perform the pull-based movement.

Before he hit his fourth set, the king of the Men’s Open division detailed how and why he changed his grip during this exercise.

“The first one I went a little bit wider and I tried to tuck my hands a little bit underneath,” Lunsford explained. “It wasn’t a complete reverse-grip row, but that was what I was trying to mimic. The last two sets we’re going to do a little bit closer with a neutral grip so they just hit a little bit different angles of the back.”

T-Bar Row

To get his core more involved, Lunsford left the chest-supported row machine behind for a back-day classic: the T-bar row. Starting with a pair of 45-pound plates, he maintained a slight bend in his knees and a neutral spine as he drove his elbows back and squeezed at the top of the movement.

Lunsford completed sets of 15 reps, noting the difference in intensity due to him being roughly two weeks removed from competing.

“Now is the time after a show that you don’t go too heavy and you really focus on the squeeze, the stretch, and the contraction,” he explained. “Just getting that good mind-muscle connection in all of your reps, all of your sets, all of your exercises.”

Lunsford said he plans to train in this manner in the short term to build up strength and keep his muscles healthy. However, he will ramp up the weight and go heavier in about two to three months.

Chest-Supported Seated Row Machine

After performing an angled chest-supported row earlier, Lunsford went with a vertical version. Seated with his chest against the pad, he worked with a 45-pound plate on each side to get a huge pump in his lats. This set the stage for another seated row variation.

Cable Seated Row

Lunsford’s penultimate exercise was a traditional cable seated row. He trained unilaterally by using independent handles, making sure to squeeze his shoulder blades together for the ultimate contraction. Looking every bit the part of a Mr. Olympia winner, Lunsford ramped up the weight for his final sets before he moved on to his final exercise.

Low Row Machine

A low-row machine allowed Lunsford to target his lats and rhomboids, as well as his middle and lower trapezius. He wrapped up his workout with several sets of this strength- and muscle-building movement, ensuring to maintain complete control of the weight to maximize time under tension.

Mr. Olympia-Level Back Workout

Although the 2023 Mr. Olympia winner didn’t go heavy on any of his exercises, he certainly put in some serious work at one of the most iconic training grounds. Between three lat pulldown variations and five rowing movements, Lunsford’s back workout will surely leave you feeling like you’re ready to walk across the stage.

• Close-Grip Cable Lat Pulldown
• Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown Machine
• Neutral-Grip Lat Pulldown Machine
• Chest-Supported Incline Row Machine
• T-Bar Row
• Chest-Supported Seated Row Machine
• Cable Seated Row
• Low Row Machine

Derek Lunsford clearly has an appreciation for how far he’s come during his journey as a pro bodybuilder. Humble yet still ultra-competitive, the first two-division champion in Olympia history has the physique and mindset needed to remain at the top of the Men’s Open division for the foreseeable future.

Featured Image: Derek Lunsford / YouTube

The post New Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford Trains Back at Legendary Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Originally Posted At: https://breakingmuscle.com/feed/rss

As an ISSA-certified personal trainer with a home gym setup of my own, I believe there are a few essential pieces of equipment you need to succeed in smashing your goals: a reliable barbell, a sturdy squat rack, and a high-quality weight bench (plus some bumper plates and dumbbells). While you don’t necessarily have to go the adjustable route with your dumbbells, investing in an adjustable weight bench is a smart strategy to maximize your exercise options. After all, true FID benches (flat, incline, decline) allow you to train your chest, back, shoulders, and other target areas from just about any angle, which can go a long way in helping you achieve your strength- and muscle-building goals.

When it comes to the adjustable bench market, however, it’s not always easy to find a solution that satisfies all the requirements our Breaking Muscle team of certified personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, and CrossFitters look for — including construction quality, portability, and ease of use — and still provides great value. But thanks to some clever design work by REP Fitness, you can enjoy the flexibility of a dozen ladder-style adjustments and the comfort of a gap-free lifting experience simultaneously. 

In this REP BlackWing adjustable bench review, we’ll break down how one of the industry’s most innovative manufacturers blended the best features from its top models into a beastly bench that’s built like a tank and performs like a boss.

Key Takeaways

• The BlackWing Adjustable Bench combines the ladder-style adjustments from the REP Fitness AB-5200 with the redesigned ZeroGap seat technology from the REP AB-5000 to give you the best of both worlds in one well-built bench.
• The REP Fitness BlackWing comes in two different pad widths (12.2 or 14 inches), has a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds, and meets International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) competition height standards, making it well-suited for powerlifters and broadly built athletes.
• Available in six colors, this zero-gap bench can be stored upright to leave more room for your power rack, weightlifting accessories, and other home gym equipment.

REP Fitness BlackWing Adjustable Bench

4.5

• Dimensions: 17.2” H x 59.5” L x 25.8” W
• Weight capacity: 1,000 pounds
• Materials: 11-gauge steel, CleanGrip Vinyl
• Warranty: 10-year frame warranty, three-year sewn item warranty

Check Price

REP BlackWing Adjustable Bench Pros

• The BlackWing is ultra-versatile, as it can be utilized as a flat bench, incline bench, or decline bench. Not only can you use the ladder-style system on the back pad to choose from 12 different angles, but you can also use the pop-pin adjustment on the seat pad to switch between six angles ranging from -10 degrees to 45 degrees.
• REP’s patented ZeroGap feature removes a potential distraction by ensuring you’ll never have to deal with an annoying gap between the seat and back pads. This unique technology particularly comes in handy when performing a flat bench press, as you’ll be seamlessly supported from end to end.
• This heavy-duty FID bench is built to last using 11-gauge steel for the frame and REP’s new CleanGrip material for the padding. The Colorado-based company also deserves credit for giving the BlackWing a premium appearance with high-end finishes like stainless-steel knurled handles and laser-cut logos.

REP BlackWing Adjustable Bench Cons

• Although the BlackWing brings a lot of useful features to the table, a $600 price tag might make it too expensive for some people. If you’re working with a tighter gym equipment budget, the REP AB-3000 is a rock-solid FID bench that costs nearly half the price.
• While it’s designed to be stored vertically, this adjustable bench doesn’t exactly earn top marks for portability. Tipping the scales at 131 pounds, the BlackWing requires some strength and patience to maneuver, which can become bothersome if you move your bench around often.
• The optional leg roller attachment felt more like an afterthought to our testing team, as it doesn’t seem to be made from the same high-quality materials as the bench itself. Plus, while it performed adequately for sit-ups and crunches, it fell short of expectations as a Nordic curl solution.

Our Breaking Muscle Team has ample experience trying out every position on a variety of adjustable benches to perform lifts like the bench press, overhead press, and flye variations. Assessing factors such as construction quality, portability, and padding, we developed a proprietary scoring system to rank critical components that make up a great bench.

REP BlackWing Adjustable Bench Rating

Our Breaking Muscle Team has ample experience trying out every position on a variety of adjustable benches to perform lifts like the bench press, overhead press, and flye variations. Assessing factors such as construction quality, portability, and padding, we developed a proprietary scoring system to rank critical components that make up a great bench.

Here’s how the REP BlackWing scored in each category:

REP BlackWing Adjustable Bench In-Depth Review

Though it’s certainly not the most budget-friendly bench, the BlackWing undoubtedly delivers rock-solid value. REP carefully crafted a high-end piece of gym equipment that stands out for its versatility, durability, and build quality. Despite a hefty price tag and a fairly large footprint, we firmly believe it’s a worthwhile investment for serious lifters looking to level up their home gym setup. 

Price and Value

REP priced the BlackWing at about $600, higher than their other adjustable bench models. For comparison, the latest version of the AB-5200 starts at $549.99, while the AB-5000 is on sale for $449.99, as of this writing. Keep in mind that the wide pad option costs an additional $20, and the leg roller attachment is sold separately for about $110.

From a competitor standpoint, the Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0 — which does have a small gap between the seat pad and back pad — normally costs about the same ($595) as the BlackWing. Meanwhile, the TITAN Series Adjustable FID Bench by Titan Fitness is normally priced at $529.99 but only has a weight capacity of 600 pounds.

Although the BlackWing may not fit everyone’s budget, it still brings great value. Not only do you get a true FID bench that has a seemingly endless array of adjustment possibilities, but you also get REP’s patented ZeroGap seat technology. As someone who’s all about getting the most bang for your muscle-building buck, I think the BlackWing boasts more than enough strengths to justify its higher-end price tag. Our testing team rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars for price and value.

Construction Quality

“Stable” is the word that immediately came to mind for our testing team when trying out the BlackWing. REP used premium materials to produce a top-notch bench that feels more than capable of withstanding all your workouts for years to come. Made from 11-gauge steel, the BlackWing’s frame is a rock-solid piece of engineering, providing excellent stability and overall support.

REP devoted ample attention to the finer details, too. Instead of using plastic adjustment knobs like they do on the AB-5000, they opted for stainless steel on the BlackWing. A knurled, stainless-steel handle not only makes the bench easier to maneuver thanks to its excellent grip-ability, but it also adds to the BlackWing’s premium aesthetic. 

REP also improved the user experience by including knurled handles for adjusting the incline and using laser-cut numbers on the frame so you can easily see which angle you have the back pad set to. Meanwhile, grooved rubber feet give the bench added stability by keeping it firmly anchored to the floor. Plus, you can choose from five frame color options (metallic black, white, red, blue, army green, or matte black) to ensure your bench fits in with the rest of your home gym setup. 

Both the seat pads and back pads come covered in REP’s new CleanGrip vinyl, which our testing team believes is the best material the company has used to date. Extra grippy and easy to clean, it’s exactly the type of vinyl lifters look for, as a grippy material can prevent you from sliding around on the bench and feeling unstable and unsafe.

As someone who utilizes an adjustable bench for everything from dumbbell chest flyes to rows to overhead presses, I believe nothing is worse than laying down on one that feels slippery or has tears in it. The thick, matte vinyl REP used on the BlackWing is the type of design decision that helped this bench earn all 5 stars for construction quality.

Delivery and Assembly

With free shipping on all orders, REP makes the ordering process a little more budget-friendly. Our testing team did not encounter any delivery issues, which speaks volumes about how well the bench was packaged and handled.

Assembling the BlackWing did take some time (around 20 minutes). Our product testers, who have assembled hundreds of pieces of gym equipment, consider this to be on par for a fully adjustable bench. However, REP did not include any tools to assist with this process. To bring your BlackWing to life, you will need to have a ratchet and sockets on hand, as well as a little bit of patience to put all the pieces in place.

Overall, we scored this bench a 4.5 out of 5 stars for delivery and assembly.

Dimensions

Definitely on the larger side, a fully assembled BlackWing measures 59.5 inches long, 25.8 inches wide, and 17.2 inches tall, putting it firmly within the IPF competition standard. Weighing in at 131 pounds, it’s also quite heavy compared to some of REP’s other benches. For example, the AB-5000 is 20 pounds lighter, and the AB-5100 tips the scales at 95 pounds.

Meanwhile, the BlackWing comes stock with 12.2-inch-wide pads that can be upgraded to 14 inches for an additional $20. While the standard option compares favorably to something like the Titan Series Adjustable Bench (which comes with a 12-inch-wide pad), the BlackWing is 1.2 inches wider than the Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0. For more sizable athletes, having that option is a big benefit from a comfort and performance standpoint, as a wider back pad will provide more support. However, keep in mind that the 14-inch-wide pads are not compliant with IPF rules, as the width cannot exceed 12.6 inches.

The design of the front and rear feet add to the overall stability of this heavy-duty bench. The front foot measures 14.8 inches wide, which gives better anchoring and seems to be the inspiration behind the BlackWing’s name. All in all, we scored this bench 4 out of 5 stars for dimensions, with the weight being one of the only drawbacks.

Padding

Thin padding can lead to thin patience for lifters. After all, no one wants to lie down on a bench and feel as if the metal frame is digging into their back. Luckily, the BlackWing has thick cushioning that puts our team of testers in a comfortable position to execute all of their lifts.

Moreover, the padding is wrapped in dense CleanGrip vinyl that looks and feels better than other types of vinyl REP has used on their benches. Not only is the matte black material extra grippy, but it’s also a breeze to clean. So, even if you’re breaking a serious sweat in your garage gym, you won’t have to worry about your bench suffering any surface damage as long as you wipe it down after your last rep.

From a padding perspective, we scored the BlackWing 5 out of 5 stars.

Footprint and Portability

Based on its dimensions, the BlackWing has a fairly sizable footprint of 10.7 square feet. In fact, at 59.5 inches long, it’s well ahead of other REP benches and is one of the longest adjustable benches on the market. While the AB-5200 is just an inch shorter, the AB-5100 is five inches shorter than the BlackWing, with the AB-5000 falling right in the middle at 57 inches long.

Those dimensions, along with weighing 131 pounds, make the BlackWing a bit tricky to move around and store vertically without a little bit of effort. Still, our testers appreciated the knurled handle and rollers for helping take some of the burden off. If you want to store the BlackWing vertically, you’ll need to have at least 3.1 square feet of space to accommodate it. Luckily, the bench’s closed ladder system also assists with the storage process, as it prevents the arm of the back pad from sliding out of place when the bench is placed upright.

Overall, having the ability to reduce the bench’s footprint by over a third is a big benefit for home gym owners with limited space. However, because of its large footprint and heavy frame, the BlackWing scored 4 out of 5 stars for footprint and portability.

Performance and Ease of Use

Is the juice worth the squeeze with the BlackWing? Based on our testers’ experiences, it met the bar from a performance standpoint. REP hit a home run with its new adjustment systems, making it simple to slide the seat back and forth using the Zero-Gap feature that’s made their AB-5000 model particularly popular.

Noticeably lighter and less bulky than its predecessor, our team was impressed with the way REP implemented the unique spring-loaded pop-pin and ratcheting system to make smooth and secure adjustments to the seat pad. Though similar to the system used on the AB-5000, they felt it was a clear upgrade and easier to use.

Most importantly, the BlackWing provided a stable platform for our testers to perform everything from spider curls to chest-supported dumbbell rows. Having a sturdy bench that can go from a flat position to being tilted back to -8 degrees in a matter of seconds without any hiccups should give you peace of mind and plenty of confidence heading into your workout. The BlackWing received all 5 stars for its strong performance and user-friendly design.

Incline Levels

As a true FID bench, the BlackWing gives you the option to train on a flat bench, on an incline, or at a decline. By incorporating a closed ladder-style adjustment system, REP made it possible to choose from 12 different back pad angles ranging between -8 to 85 degrees. Besides the ample angle choices, the testers also enjoyed the added sturdiness of having the adjustment arms located inside the ladder rail. This helped reduce any wobble that would have occurred at incline angles, and in my experience, this is a common issue with cheaper benches.

In addition, REP designed the seat pad to be able to go from -10 to 45 degrees. That type of range separates the BlackWing from other adjustable benches like the AB-3000, which has five seat pad adjustments, and the Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0, which only has three angle choices for the seat pad (0, 15, and 30 degrees).

Overall, this is where the BlackWing truly shines the most. Whether you want to get stronger on the incline press, develop your delts from an upright position, or build your lower chest on a decline, you have the ultimate tool to get the job done. We scored the BlackWing 5 out of 5 stars in this area.

Available Attachments

You can take your BlackWing experience to new heights if you’re willing to pay the right price. For about $110, you can purchase the optional leg roller attachment that was specifically designed to fit with this ultra-versatile, ultra-stable adjustable bench. However, you should temper your expectations about just how functional the attachment is.

Although our testers were eager to test the roller’s ability to perform Nordic curls, they were ultimately left disappointed by the experience. Between thin foam and a lack of a toe kick plate, the roller proved to be less than ideal for executing this brutal hamstring exercise. Plus, even with the 14-inch-wide version, our testers found the back pad to be too thin for the BlackWing to be a true Nordic bench.

That said, the attachment isn’t a total bust, as you can use it to develop your abdominal muscles with sit-ups, crunches, and other core exercises. Ultimately, though, the roller didn’t receive the same attention to detail from REP as the star of the show. Compared to the BlackWing itself, the materials used on the roller — like the use of plastic knobs over stainless steel — felt a notch below. For those reasons, this bench received 4 out of 5 stars in this category.

Warranty

REP Fitness includes a 10-year warranty on bench frames, along with a one-year warranty on sewn items. While that gives you a solid window to utilize the BlackWing and still be covered, the policy isn’t quite as good as some of REP’s competitors.

Rogue, for example, offers a limited lifetime warranty on frames that voids if a product has been damaged due to negligent or faulty use, alteration, maintenance, storage, or handling by the user. Plus, it provides a three-year warranty on sewn items — a two-year leg up on REP.

Meanwhile, Force USA stands behind its frames with a lifetime warranty, along with a 10-year policy on moving parts and one year of coverage for upholstery and attachments. This applies to equipment used exclusively in private indoor home settings, such as basements and garages.

So, although REP’s warranty policy is solid, it falls short of some of its competitors. Because of that, we scored the BlackWing 4 out of 5 stars in this category.

REP BlackWing Adjustable Bench Specs

From its IPF-compliant height to its stainless steel finishes, the BlackWing offers many attractive features in one well-built package (or bench, in this case). REP designed this bench to handle heavy loads over and over again by utilizing high-quality materials that should have no trouble holding up over time. Here are the complete specs for the BlackWing, starting with a full breakdown of its dimensions and ending with a closer look at its compatibility with attachments. 

Dimensions

The REP BlackWing measures 59.5 inches long, 25.8 inches wide, and 17.2 inches tall for a total footprint of 10.7 square feet. This 131-pound FID bench has a seat pad length of 15.6 inches with a 38.2-inch long back pad that’s available in two different widths (12.2 inches or 14 inches). So, whether you’re a broad athlete who needs wide pads or someone on the smaller side who needs the standard size, the BlackWing can be tailored to your body type.

Looking below, the front foot is 14.8 inches wide, with the rear foot measuring 10 inches wider. The front handle is 6.9 inches long with a diameter of 25 millimeters.

Materials

REP spared no expense when it came to the BlackWing’s construction. Made with 11-gauge steel, this bench is built to take a pounding — and continue performing. Plus, REP smartly swapped the AB-5000’s plastic adjustment knobs for stainless steel ones that look (and feel) like a clear upgrade.

Meanwhile, the seat and bench pads are covered in the company’s new CleanGrip matte vinyl, which is thicker and seems more durable than previous vinyl produced by REP.

Weight Capacity

The REP Fitness BlackWing has a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds. This is the same rating as the AB-3000, which we consider one of the best values for a budget-friendly home gym bench. On the other hand, the REP AB-4100 only has a weight capacity of 700 pounds.

Compatible Attachments

REP designed an optional Leg Roller Attachment specifically for this bench. You can insert the attachment into the built-in receiving post on the BlackWing’s back frame to perform core exercises, decline presses, and Nordic hamstring curls. 

Keep in mind that the attachment is not included when you purchase the bench. The leg roller is sold separately for about $110. 

REP BlackWing Adjustable Bench Customer Reviews

It’s no surprise that the BlackWing has garnered almost unanimous 5-star reviews on REP’s website based on its specs, versatility, and performance. Although several users highlighted how heavy the bench is, the impressive build quality and ability to have a zero-gap lifting experience stood out as overwhelming positives. 

Described as “exceptional” and “amazingly sturdy” in separate reviews, the BlackWing’s high-end finishes and fine details make it a home run in the eyes of just about everyone who provided feedback on REP’s website.

REP BlackWing vs. Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0

The Rogue vs REP adjustable bench battle comes down to a few key factors. From a price perspective, the BlackWing is right on par with Rogue’s Adjustable Bench 3.0, which costs just under $600 for the standard model. However, that figure jumps to $695 for the stainless steel version — nearly $100 more than the $600 BlackWing. 

Still, you get more flexibility with REP’s newest bench, as you can change between 12 back pad angles compared to just 10 for the Adjustable Bench 3.0. While both benches allow you to set the seat pad angle at 0, 15, and 30 degrees, the BlackWing offers more versatility with three more angles (-10, 8, and 45 degrees). 

One major difference to consider is whether you prefer your gym equipment to be made in the USA. If so, you’ll want to go with Rogue, as REP manufactures a majority of their products in China. Still, that’s not necessarily a knock on the BlackWing (or any of REP’s benches), as we’ve consistently found them to be well-constructed and well-performing.

Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0

• Dimensions: 17.5” H x 52” L x 11” W
• Weight capacity: 1,000 pounds
• Materials: 11-gauge steel, vinyl cover, rubber feet
• Warranty: Limited lifetime on the frame

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Final Verdict: Is the REP BlackWing Adjustable Bench Worth It?

If you value versatility, it’s hard not to put the REP BlackWing at the top of the best adjustable bench list. With 72 potential combinations and zero gaps, you can get creative with your workouts and never have to worry about not feeling fully supported. Plus, even though the leg roller attachment lacked the same polish as the bench itself, it still gives you even more exercise options.

Of course, the BlackWing’s $600 price tag puts it more in the premium bench category than the budget-friendly one. But between its excellent construction and ability to do anything you could ask for (and more), it’s worth paying a little more for a truly unique adjustable bench that might just be REP’s finest design work to date.

FAQs

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After winning the first of two scored rounds in her division, Missy Truscott appeared well on her way to securing her third Fitness Olympia title at the 2023 Olympia.

Then the nightmare began.

Truscott’s dream of becoming a three-time champion dissipated during the performance round due to a devastating set of injuries that left her in a tremendous amount of pain and unable to complete her routine. On Nov. 11, 2023, the decorated Fitness competitor discussed the extent of the damage in a video posted on her YouTube page, revealing she suffered not only a torn ACL but also meniscus tears on both sides of her left knee.

In the aftermath of her heartbreaking experience in Orlando, FL, Truscott admitted to dealing with “excruciating” pain in her left quadriceps and left knee. Worried that she may have also torn her quad on stage, she was able to breathe a small sigh of relief after receiving her MRI results.

Although Truscott’s surgeon informed her that she tore her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus on both the outside and inside of the same knee, the two-time Fitness Olympia winner avoided the worst-case scenario.

“The quad is intact, so I’m extremely happy about that,” Truscott explained. “I feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel here. My surgeon is very confident that I will make a full recovery. It’s just going to take some time.”

With her prehab and post-op rehab already scheduled, Truscott will have surgery “in the near future” to fix her damaged knee ligaments. Facing a tough road to recovery that should take several months, she expressed gratitude for all the support she’s received in the wake of her significant setback.

[Related: 5 Exercises to Help Athletes (Possibly) Prevent Injury]

Although she seemed optimistic about the future, Truscott didn’t have quite the same cheery attitude about a controversial move made by one of her peers.

During her fitness routine, 2021 Fitness Olympia champion Whitney Jones threw a shark prop off a pole — an act Truscott deemed “petty” and “beneath a champion.” Considering Truscott’s Team Apex Training logo includes a great white shark, it certainly seems Jones made a conscious decision to incorporate the reigning champion’s signature animal in a degrading manner.

“You wouldn’t see Chris Bumstead bring a dinosaur to the press conference, or Derek Lunsford bring a wolf to the press conference,” Truscott said. “I think she tried to take a shot at me and totally missed.”

Ultimately, though, the well-respected former champion took a bigger-picture approach when speaking about the future of the sport.

“I’ve made a career out of bodybuilding and I’m so excited to see that the IFBB Fitness division is growing,” Truscott said. “We have a lot of talented women coming into the sport and I’m super excited to see this year how much it’s going to grow.”

Vowing to return better than ever, Truscott does not have to worry about qualifying for the 2024 Olympia thanks to her former champion status. However, it will be interesting to see if the apparent rivalry between her and Jones continues whenever the two Fitness competitors share the stage again.

Featured Image: Missy Truscott / YouTube

The post Missy Truscott Suffered Dual Meniscus Tears and a Ruptured ACL During the 2023 Fitness Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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From protecting your hands to lifting heavier weights, the solution to finding the best lifting straps is to just randomly pick a pair and get back to your workout, right? 

Wrong.

Straps are way more complicated than they appear. From weight capacity to color and material, each of the five different styles has its own best use cases. We’re here to help you decide which ones will suit you best.

How We Chose the Best Lifting Straps

The Breaking Muscle team features a roster of powerlifters, Olympic weightlifters, CrossFitters, strength and conditioning coaches, and certified personal trainers. Across the board, we’ve tested over a dozen lifting straps from various brands and evaluated their durability, grippiness, and how connected we felt to the bar when lifting. Down below, you’ll find our top choices to help you figure out which straps are the best fit for you and your training style.

Our Top Picks for the Best Lifting Straps

• Best Lifting Straps Overall: Iron Bull Strength Unleash Lifting Straps
• Best Figure 8 Lifting Straps: DMOOSE Figure 8 Lifting Straps
• Best Lifting Straps for Deadlifts: Jerkfit Death Grips
• Best Lifting Straps With Hooks: DMOOSE Weightlifting Hooks
• Best Lifting Straps for Small Wrists: Element 26 Weightlifting Straps
• Best Lifting Straps on Amazon: Harbinger Padded Cotton Lifting Straps
• Best Leather Lifting Straps: Rogue Treated Leather Straps
• Best Olympic Lifting Straps: Gymreapers Olympic Lifting Straps
• Best Budget Lifting Straps: DMOOSE Lifting Straps
• Best Lifting Straps for Powerlifting: Iron Bull Strength Premium Lifting Straps

Best Lifting Straps Overall: Iron Bull Strength Unleash Lifting Straps

Iron Bull Strength Unleash Lifting Straps

4.5

• Material: Nylon
• Style: Traditional
• Length: 24 inches
• Padding: 5mm neoprene

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The Iron Bull Strength Unleash Lifting Straps are our top pick overall. They’re made from high-quality nylon, a durable and resilient material that doesn’t stretch or tear easily. This means they can withstand heavy loads and intense workouts. And unlike cotton or leather straps, nylon straps don’t tend to fray or rot over time. These straps will last you for years of lifting without losing their shape or strength.

Thanks to their traditional “lasso” design, you can tighten or loosen them as you wish, depending on the thickness of your wrists and the diameter of the bar. This ensures a secure and comfortable grip on the bar, preventing any slippage or movement. 

The Unleash Lifting Straps have soft and thick neoprene padding that cushions your wrists and prevents any abrasion or irritation. Neoprene is a synthetic rubber, the same material in almost all the best knee sleeves, that is flexible and supportive. It provides a smooth and soft surface for your wrists, reducing some of the pressure while distributing the weight more evenly. 

Unfortunately, the Unleash straps are less comfortable than cotton straps, especially in hot and humid conditions. They’re made from nylon, a synthetic material that doesn’t breathe well, which traps heat and moisture. They also have poor absorption, which can cause a layer of sweat to build up on your wrists and affect the placement of your straps and comfort. Sweat can cause bacteria and odor to build up on your straps, which can be unpleasant and unhygienic. You’ll need to wash your nylon straps regularly to keep them clean and fresh.

These straps are traditional (lasso) lifting straps, so you loop them around your wrists and then wrap them around the bar several times to create a tight and secure connection. However, this process requires some skill and practice. At first, it will be awkward and time-consuming, but after a while, you should get the hang of it. 

RELATED: Weight Lifting Straps: What They Are, When and Why to Use Them

Best Figure 8 Lifting Straps: DMOOSE Figure 8 Lifting Straps

DMoose Figure 8 Straps

4.2

• Material: Cotton
• Style: Figure 8
• Length: Length isn’t listed, but they are 6 to 7.5 inches wide
• Padding: None

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The main advantage of Figure 8 straps is that they’re easy to use. Simply loop one end around your wrist, bring your hand close to the bar, and feed your hand through the other loop. Bring your hands inwards to grab the bar for the straps to become tight, creating a secure grip that won’t slip or loosen during lifts. To remove them, just reverse the process and slide them off your wrists — no need to fumble with long straps again!

The DMOOSE Figure 8 Lifting Straps are made of high-quality cotton that’s soft and durable. Cotton is breathable and doesn’t irritate your skin or cause excessive sweating, so you’ll have a better grip whether you’re lifting a barbell, kettlebell, or axle bar. 

They’re also machine-washable, so you can keep them clean and fresh. The DMOOSE Figure 8 Lifting Straps offer three sizes (small, medium, or large) to suit your wrist and hand size. The size chart on their website is clear and will help you find the right fit.

The DMOOSE Figure 8 Lifting Straps don’t have any padding or cushioning for your wrists. This means they might dig into your skin and cause discomfort or bruising, especially if you lift heavy weights or use them for high-rep sets. I’ve even seen some elite-level lifters end up with small skin tears because they’re deadlifting massive weights. If you have sensitive wrists or prefer more comfort, you may want to look for straps with wrist padding, like the Element 26’s.

Remember how they’re easy to use? Well, that’s after you learn how to use them. Most beginners find figure 8 straps awkward to use at first due to incorrect use. Even when used properly, they can still feel unnatural as the load is held outside your hands instead of in line with them. As a result, you may need some time to get used to them, especially if you’re accustomed to traditional straps. 

Finally, figure 8 straps aren’t a one-size-fits-all. They require the correct size to function correctly, so you won’t get the optimal grip and support from the straps if you choose a size that is too big or too small. Make sure to measure your wrist and hand size carefully and follow the size chart on their website before buying.

Best Lifting Straps for Deadlifts: Jerkfit Death Grips

Jerkfit Death Grips

4.3

• Material: PVC rubber
• Style: Grips
• Length: Not listed
• Padding: Neoprene

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Our Breaking Muscle product tester found the Jerkfit Death Grips fast and easy to use. Unlike other straps that require you to wrap them around the bar multiple times, the Death Grips attach to your wrist with a velcro strap, and then you wrap the rubber flap around the bar — trapping the bar between the grips and your palms. When used on deadlifts, they avoid the hassle of fiddling with a longer strap during your setup. They also save time, especially when used for deadlifts in timed workouts like those seen in CrossFit.

When they tried them in a workout, our team member was impressed by the grip. They felt connected to the bar during their deadlifts and pulled heavy weights that they would have felt slipping without them. When used on pull-ups and dumbbell exercises, they found the grips held up well without slipping. This is due to their unique PVC rubber construction and neoprene padding. During the entire test, their comfort surprised our product tester, and they loved how intuitive they were to use.

One of the drawbacks of the Jerkfit Death Grips is that they can take some time to get used to, especially if you’re not familiar with using lifting straps. The Death Grips are a little bulky because of the neoprene pad, so they can initially feel awkward. Compared to traditional lifting straps, the pad size is larger with more stitching, resulting in a higher risk of loose threads than other straps. You may need to trim or burn off any loose threads that you notice on your straps to prevent them from getting worse.

The other downside of the Jerkfit Death Grips is the cost. At the time of writing, the Death Grips cost $39.95 per pair. This price is more than double that of other quality straps in this article, like the DMOOSE budget-friendly straps. While the Death Grips offer a lot of value and quality for their price, they may not be affordable or worth it for everyone.

RELATED: Best CrossFit Shoes for Flat Feet, Wide Feet, and More (2023)

Best Lifting Straps With Hooks: DMOOSE Weightlifting Hooks

DMoose Lifting Hooks

3.8

• Material: Rubber-coated stainless steel hooks, nylon strap
• Style: Hooks
• Length: 3.7 inches
• Padding: 8mm neoprene

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Unlike other lifting straps that require you to wrap them around the bar multiple times, these hooks are nearly effortless to apply. Put them on your wrists, tighten the velcro strap, hook them onto the bar, and voilà! 

Straps this easy to use saves you time and avoids the hassle of resetting your straps, especially when switching between different exercises or weights. For ease and speed, I find hooks are better than any other strap type while not interfering much with your grip or wrist mobility.

These hooks are versatile and can be used for various types of implements. They’re suitable for barbell lifts such as deadlifts, shrugs, or rows, as well as using them on pull-up bars. They play nice with cable machine attachments, and one customer even mentioned they use them on their rowing machine handles to combat grip fatigue. 

RELATED: Best Rowing Machines for Beginners, Small Spaces, Seniors, and More

I’m pleasantly surprised by their construction. The actual hooks of the Weightlifting Hooks are made from reinforced stainless steel with a non-slip rubberized coating. This means they should have no problem handling weights up to the listed capacity. 

They’re 3.3 inches wide and have a deep curve that ensures a stable and secure grip on the bar. Unlike narrow or shallow hooks, the DMOOSEs will prevent the bar from tipping or slipping out of your hands, which could cause injuries or, at the very least, compromise your form.

These hooks have a maximum weight capacity of 600 pounds, which might be a limitation for some advanced lifters who want to lift heavier weights. If you exceed this limit, you risk damaging the hooks or injuring yourself — consider the best lifting straps for powerlifting from Iron Bull Strength instead.

The Weightlifting Hooks might cause your wrists to sweat more than usual, especially in hot or humid conditions. The thick neoprene padding is extra-wide to cover your wrist area and the lower part of your palm, but this results in a large non-breathable area of skin. Further, the velcro strap must be cinched extra tight to avoid getting pulled off from heavy weights resting in the hooks. While it’s unlikely that either of these will cause a structural issue with the hooks, the excessive sweat can make them uncomfortable or unhygienic unless you wash them often.

Unfortunately, the hooks are fixed in place and don’t have any adjustment options. This means that they might only fit average hand sizes correctly. For those with extra small or large hands, the hooks might be too close to your fingertips or wrists, respectively. In turn, this can negatively affect your grip strength or comfort level.

Best Lifting Straps for Small Wrists: Element 26 Weightlifting Straps

Element 26 Weight Lifting Straps

3.5

• Material: Cotton
• Style: Traditional
• Length: 23 inches
• Padding: 5mm neoprene

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The defining feature of the Element 26 Weightlifting Straps is the traditional lasso style, meaning they have a closed loop at one end where the free end feeds into them. This strap style is great for small wrists because it allows you to adjust the size until the strap matches your preference. You can also easily switch between different exercises without re-adjusting them. Overall, lasso-style straps are more secure and stable than other straps, such as Olympic lifting or hooks.

Another pro of the Element 26 Weightlifting Straps is that they’re 23 inches long. This length is ideal for lifting straps for a couple of reasons. First, it makes it easier to wrap the straps with a single hand, especially your non-dominant side. Second, the 23-inch length is compatible with a wider range of barbells; axle bars have a noticeably larger diameter than Olympic barbells, so the longer material gives you get more wraps around the bar for a more secure grip — this is helpful for those with smaller wrists and hands that would otherwise struggle with thicker bars.

The Element 26 Weightlifting Straps have comfortable neoprene padding inside the loop around your wrist. Neoprene is a soft and flexible material that provides cushioning and support for your wrist, reducing the pressure that can cause discomfort and pain to your wrists during heavy lifting.

One of the cons of the Element 26 Weightlifting Straps is that they have left and right indicators on the loop around your wrist. These indicators are supposed to help you put on the straps correctly, but they’re actually redundant and unnecessary. Lasso-style straps have a closed loop on one end, and whether the free end is fed through the left or right side determines which hand they belong on. Since there is no difference between the left and right straps, except for the indicator, this feature is basically just a gimmick that adds little value to the straps.

Another con of the Element 26 Weightlifting Straps is that they are made of cotton, which is weaker than nylon. Nylon is a synthetic material with higher tensile strength and durability than cotton, so it can withstand more weight and stress without breaking or tearing. Cotton straps, on the other hand, can fray or snap after prolonged use or exposure to moisture. Cotton straps are also more prone to shrinking or stretching after washing or drying, affecting their fit and performance.

Finally, the Element 26s only come in black. Black is the standard color for lifting straps, but it can also be dull. Some lifters may prefer colorful or vibrant options to match their personality or style. Black straps can also be more challenging to identify in a crowded gym or locker room because they all look similar. More color choices would make the product more appealing and attractive to a broader range of customers.

Best Lifting Straps on Amazon: Harbinger Padded Cotton Lifting Straps

Harbinger Padded Cotton Lifting Straps

4.0

• Material: Cotton
• Style: Traditional
• Length: 21.5 inches
• Padding: “Neotek” (neoprene)

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The Harbinger Padded Cotton Lifting Straps have a 4.7 out of 5 rating from over 27,000 customers on Amazon, and they’re also rated #2 in the “Exercise Straps” category. That means tens of thousands of people have tried and loved these straps, so you can trust their quality and performance. But let’s not forget about their price. At the time of publishing, they cost only $9.97 — a steal compared to other lifting straps on the market. Plus, if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can enjoy free shipping and an excellent return policy. 

They impressed our Breaking Muscle team member with their softness and comfort. Being made from cotton, the straps felt soft in the hands and offered extra wrist cushioning with their “Neotek” padding (essentially just neoprene). Our tester also noticed that the padding helps absorb sweat and moisture, so your hands will stay drier during your workouts, and it’ll be easier to keep a better grip.

Unfortunately, when our product tester opened the bag, they were surprised that the Harbingers had some loose threads and burs. The straps performed without any issues for a few weeks during barbell workouts, but these imperfections made our tester a bit concerned about how the straps would do after a year.

According to a few customers, the straps can sometimes feel stiff when first using them, making it harder to wrap them around the bar and tighten them around your wrist. However, we didn’t find this to be the case. If you run into this issue, the problem will subside as the straps are used because they’ll become more flexible and pliable.

Lastly, some users reported that the straps broke with heavy weights, which was extremely rare. This might be due to a combination of the straps being 100 percent cotton and being used on barbells with aggressive knurling. Cotton is a weaker material than nylon, so these straps are more prone to fraying or snapping over time — especially if they’re used in humid conditions. While the risk of these straps breaking is extremely low, and our product tester (who lifted 315 pounds with them) didn’t experience any issues, consider more robust nylon straps if you’ll be lifting serious weights.

Best Leather Lifting Straps: Rogue Treated Leather Straps

Rogue Treated Leather Straps

3.5

• Material: Leather
• Style: Traditional
• Length: 24 inches
• Padding: None

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The Rogue Treated Leather Straps are our top leather choice because it’s hard to beat the quality and craftsmanship of products made in the USA. These straps are crafted from 100 percent genuine premium belly leather, known for its balance of soft pliability and reliable durability. With the local manufacturing, product material, and brand, you can trust that these straps will last a long time and perform well in any lifting situation.

One of the most critical features of any lifting strap is the stitching. If the stitching is weak or poorly done, the strap can tear or unravel quickly. Double-stitching used to be a step above and an excellent way to increase the longevity of sewn products, but Rogue has used box-stitching on these straps, a technique that reinforces the seams and minimizes fraying. The stitching is also done with heavy-duty nylon thread, which adds to the strength and durability of the straps.

In terms of material, leather is an all-time classic. One of our product testers at Breaking Muscle has similar lifting straps made from genuine leather. They’re a few years old and are much loved. They’ve found that the feel of leather is second to none, and as you use them, they’ll mold to the shape of your hands and wrists — giving you a truly bespoke pair of straps. The leather also has a natural texture and color that gives these straps a timeless and elegant appearance.

All leather products take some time to break in, and these straps are no exception. When you first receive them, they might feel stiff and rough on your skin — this is normal. You can roll them up and unroll them a few times to help the break-in process, but we’ve found they take a couple of weeks of regular use to soften for maximum comfort on the back of your hands. Remember, good things take time!

One downside of leather is that it can absorb sweat, dirt, and other lovely substances over time. This can cause the leather to change color or develop marks that might look unappealing. Our staff member noticed some stains on theirs but appreciated the added character to the leather. If you care about the aesthetics of your straps, consider cleaning and treating them regularly or avoiding them altogether and going for a nylon strap instead.

Lastly, leather can be slippier than cotton or nylon. This can affect your grip on the bar, especially if your hands are sweaty or oily. Just place the rough side of the leather straps against the bar. This texture will dig better into the knurling and give more friction for the best grip possible.

Best Olympic Lifting Straps: Gymreapers Olympic Lifting Straps

Gymreapers Olympic Lifting Straps

3.8

• Material: Cotton
• Style: Olympic lifting
• Length: 8.5 inches
• Padding: None

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The main benefit of the Gymreapers Olympic Lifting Straps is that they’re specifically designed in a tear-drop shape for Olympic weightlifting. They’re shorter than traditional straps, so they wrap around the bar less. This means they help with your grip, but if you need to bail a snatch or clean and jerk, they’ll release in time to safely separate yourself from the bar. This can prevent devastating injuries from longer straps that wouldn’t detach from the bar in time.

Another benefit of these straps is their reinforced stitching. The seams of most straps are only double-stitched, resulting in a weaker area that could start to unravel over time. However, these Olympic lifting straps from Gymreapers are triple-stitched — making loose threads extremely unlikely to ever happen. This means you can get a secure grip around the bar, with the peace of mind that your straps will endure over time.

One of the best things about these straps is that they come with a lifetime replacement guarantee. If your straps ever break or wear out, Gymreapers claims you can get a new pair for free. This is a rare and generous offer that shows how confident the company is in its product quality and customer satisfaction. With these Olympic Weightlifting Straps, you can rest assured that you’re getting a reliable and long-lasting training tool to help you achieve your Oly lifting goals.

However, these straps also have some drawbacks, such as a lack of padding on the wrist area, making them less comfortable. As a result, you might experience chafing or bruising on your wrists until you get used to them. If you prefer more cushioning and comfort, consider looking for padded straps instead, like the Iron Bull Strength Unleash Lifting Straps.

Another downside of these straps is that they’re less secure than traditional straps. Of course, this is intentional because they’re made for Oly lifting — but it’s still worth noting. Since they are shorter, they can come undone more easily than traditional lasso straps. This is done on purpose to allow for quick release in case of emergency, but it also means that you might lose your grip if you’re not careful.

Best Budget Lifting Straps: DMOOSE Lifting Straps

DMoose Lifting Straps

3.5

• Material: Cotton
• Style: Traditional
• Length: 24 inches
• Padding: 4mm neoprene

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The standout feature of the DMOOSE Lifting Straps is the price. At the time of writing, these retail for $15 after being marked down from $17 — not quite as cheap as the Harbinger Padded Cotton Lifting Straps, but close.

One of the best features of these straps is that they fit all wrist sizes. The straps have a closed-loop design, so you can tighten them like a lasso around your wrists. This allows you to adjust the fit according to your wrist size and comfort level. You don’t have to worry about the straps permanently being too loose or tight, as you can easily adjust them to your liking.

These straps are also incredibly comfortable, featuring a 4mm padding on the inside for cushion and to prevent chafing. The cotton material is also soft and breathable, which keeps your hands cool and dry. At 24 inches long and 1.5 inches wide, they give you enough length and width to wrap around the bar securely.

However, these straps aren’t perfect—one of their main cons is the grippy silicone texture. When a Breaking Muscle team member used a nearly identical pair of these straps from another brand, they found it hard to tighten and loosen the straps due to the sticky nature of the silicone texture. Our product tester also disliked the feeling of the raised texture in their hands when they gripped the bar with the straps on. This is a matter of personal preference, though, and some people may actually prefer the silicone bumps.

Another downside of these straps is that they only have double-crossed stitching, which is weaker than box stitching. Box-stitching is a more secure method of stitching that creates a square-shaped pattern on the strap with an “x” through the box. This makes the strap more resistant to tearing and fraying. The DMOOSE Lifting Straps have double-crossed stitching, which is better than single stitching but still not as sturdy as box stitching.

Sadly, these straps don’t have a weight capacity listed on their website or product page. This means you don’t know how much weight these straps can safely handle. It would be helpful if the company provided details on how much weight these straps can support. Can they hold 200 pounds, 500 pounds, or 1,000 pounds? This would give customers more transparency when considering these straps and ensure they aren’t asking the world from budget-friendly lifting straps.

Best Lifting Straps for Powerlifting: Iron Bull Strength Premium Lifting Straps

Iron Bull Strength Premium Lifting Straps

4.0

• Material: Nylon
• Style: Traditional
• Length: 25 inches
• Padding: None

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If you’re looking for a pair of lifting straps that can handle the heaviest weights and the most demanding workouts, consider the Iron Bull Strength Premium Lifting Straps. 

These straps are made of extra-strong nylon material, which is ideal for powerlifting because nylon is one of the most robust materials for lifting straps, beating out cotton any day. Robust, heavy-duty nylon improves grip strength on every pulling movement and can be used on barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, or any cable machine. 

Iron Bull Strength claims these are “Level 4” strength, but I couldn’t find a scale or explanation of what this actually means on their website. In contrast, their Figure 8 straps, which are also a Level 4 strength, have a 1,000+ pound capacity.

Iron Bull Strength is well known in the powerlifting and strength training communities for reputable products, so I doubt these straps will fail with regular use. However, I was surprised to see that as their premium lifting straps, they do not have a weight capacity listed. This makes it hard to compare them with other brands or models and also raises some questions about their durability and safety.

The design of these straps is well-suited for powerlifting. They have a two-inch width, so those elite powerlifting records you’ll be lifting with them will be dispersed better across your hands — resulting in less bruising and skin tears. I was delighted they have double-stitching to ensure the likelihood of loose threads is as low as possible, a must for straps that will be pushed to the limit.

One thing that sets these straps apart is that they have zero padding. This is done intentionally to guarantee a maximum grip and authentic feel during your most intense lifts. 

Some lifters prefer this style of straps, believing that padding reduces the contact between the hand and the bar and thus compromises the grip. However, this also means these straps are less comfortable on the wrists and will take some getting used to. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to bruising, consider looking for another option.

Unlike cotton, nylon does not absorb sweat as well, which can make the straps slippery and uncomfortable after a long session. This can also affect the hygiene and odor of the straps, as sweat can accumulate and cause bacteria growth. To prevent this, wash your straps regularly and let them air dry completely before using them again.

Different Types of Lifting Straps

There are many kinds of lifting straps available on the market, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common ones:

Traditional/Lasso Straps

These are the simplest and most widely used types of lifting straps. Consisting of a long piece of fabric with a closed loop, the free end is fed through the loop, around your wrist, and then wraps around the bar several times. This makes them easy to use and adjust, and they provide a secure grip on any bar because they act like a lasso. However, they can also be challenging to release quickly, which can be problematic if you need to bail out of a lift or switch between exercises.

Olympic Lifting Straps

These are similar to traditional straps, but they have a shorter length and a closed tear-drop shape. They’re designed for Olympic weightlifting, where you need to quickly release the bar after completing a snatch or a clean and jerk. They are also suitable for explosive movements like high pulls or power cleans. 

Figure 8’s

These straps form a figure-eight shape. They are straightforward to put on and take off, and they provide a very tight grip on the bar — so much so that you can let go completely and they should stay on. They’re ideal for heavy deadlifts or shrugs, where you don’t need to worry about dropping the bar or changing your grip. However, they’re often misused by beginners so they can take some practice to use correctly.

Hooks

Attached to a wrist strap, these metal hooks grab onto the bar to take pressure off your grip and allow you to focus entirely on your working muscles. They’re great for people with weak or injured hands or wrists, or who want to lift very heavy weights without ever taxing their grip strength. However, they can also be more expensive, bulky, and unsafe if they break or slip off the bar.

Grips

These are rubber or silicone pads that stick to your palms and create friction with the bar. They are similar to gloves, but they only cover your palm. Grips are ideal for people who don’t like the feeling of straps or hooks or who want to make their setup fast. However, they can also wear and lose their stickiness quickly compared to other types of straps.

What Are the Benefits of Using Lifting Straps?

Lifting straps can help you in several ways when you’re working out. Here are some of the main benefits:

Reduced Grip Fatigue

One of the most significant limitations when lifting heavy weights is your grip strength. Your hands and forearms can tire before your target muscles do, preventing you from completing more reps or adding more weight. Lifting straps can help you overcome this by taking some of the load off your hands and transferring it to your arms and shoulders.

RELATED: The Best Shoulder Workouts for More Muscle, For Strength, For Beginners, and More

Ability to Hold More Weight

Another benefit of lifting straps is that they allow you to hold more weight than you usually could with your bare hands. This can help you break through plateaus and challenge yourself with heavier loads. Lifting more weight can also stimulate muscle growth and strength gains since your grip no longer limits you.

Protection Against Rips and Tears

Lifting heavy weights can damage your skin, especially if you have rough, dry, or heavily calloused hands. Lifting straps can protect your hands from getting ripped or torn by creating a barrier between your skin and the bar. This can also prevent infections and reduce pain and inflammation.

When Should You Use Lifting Straps?

Lifting straps can be a valuable tool for enhancing your training, but they shouldn’t be used all the time or for every exercise. Here are some guidelines on when to use them:

• Use them sparingly: Lifting straps should not replace your baseline grip strength. You should still train your grip regularly using the warm-up sets of your exercises. Avoid using straps for every set or every workout, and only use them when you really need them, like when you’re going for a personal record, doing high-rep sets, or working on weak points.
• Use them strategically: Lifting straps shouldn’t be used for every exercise. Use them only for exercises that involve pulling movements, such as deadlifts, rows, pull-ups, etc. You shouldn’t use them for exercises that involve pushing movements, such as the bench press, the overhead press, or dips — that’s what wrist wraps are for. 
• Use them correctly: Lifting straps should be used properly to avoid injury and maximize performance. Ensure the straps are tight enough to secure your grip, but not so tight that they cut off your blood circulation or cause numbness. You should also make sure that the straps are wrapped around the bar in the right direction so that they don’t unravel or slip off during the lift. You should also practice releasing the straps quickly and safely in an emergency.

What to Look For in Lifting Straps

Materials

Lifting straps can be made of different materials, such as nylon, cotton, or leather. Each material has pros and cons regarding durability, comfort, grip, and price. Nylon straps are usually the most durable and affordable, but they can also be slippery and harsh on your skin. Cotton straps are generally the most comfortable and breathable, but they can also be less durable and more prone to stretching. Leather straps are traditionally the most classic, but they can also be more expensive and harder to clean.

Type

As we mentioned before, there are different types of lifting straps, such as traditional, Olympic, figure 8’s, hooks, and grips. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of ease of use, security, versatility, and comfort. You should choose the type that suits your goals, preferences, and experience level. 

For example, if you’re a beginner or an intermediate lifter who wants to improve your grip strength and technique, you might want to start with hooks or grips. If you’re an advanced or a competitive lifter who wants to lift as much weight as possible and focus on your other muscles, you might want to try Olympic lifting straps or traditional straps.

Length

Lifting straps can also vary, from four inches to 25 inches. The strap length affects how many times you can wrap it around the bar and how much slack you have left. A longer strap will allow you to wrap it more times and create a tighter grip, but it will also take more time and effort to put on and take off. A shorter strap will allow you to wrap it fewer times and create a looser grip, but it will also be faster and easier to use. 

The ideal length for you depends on your hand size, wrist size, bar diameter, and personal preference. A good rule of thumb is to choose a strap that is about 24 inches long. This will give you enough length to wrap it around most bars at least twice and still have some slack left. If the strap is too long for you, you can always cut it slightly and burn the ends to prevent fraying.

Padding

Some lifting straps have padding on the wrist area to provide extra comfort and cushioning. The padding can be made of different materials, but it’s almost always neoprene. Padding can help prevent chafing, bruising, or digging into your skin when lifting heavy weights. 

However, padding can also add bulkiness and weight to the strap, affecting your wrist mobility and grip feel. Some people prefer to have no padding at all for a more natural and direct contact with the bar. The choice of padding is mostly a matter of personal preference and comfort level.

Final Thoughts

Lifting straps are a great accessory for anyone who wants to improve their strength and performance in the gym. They can help you lift more weight, reduce grip fatigue, protect your hands from injury, and overcome plateaus. 

However, they should not be abused or relied on too much. Train your grip strength regularly and use straps only when necessary and appropriate. You should also choose the right strap type for your goals and preferences.

Best Lifting Straps: Side-by-Side Comparison

Best Lifting Straps Overall	Best Figure 8 Lifting Straps	Best Lifting Straps for Deadlifts	Best Lifting Straps With Hooks	Best Lifting Straps for Small Wrists	Best Lifting Straps on Amazon	Best Leather Lifting Straps	Best Olympic Lifting Straps	Best Budget Lifting Straps	Best Lifting Straps for Powerlifting
Iron Bull Strength Unleash Lifting Straps	DMoose Figure 8 Straps	Jerkfit Death Grips	DMoose Lifting Hooks	Element 26 Weight Lifting Straps	Harbinger Padded Cotton Lifting Straps	Rogue Treated Leather Straps	Gymreapers Olympic Lifting Straps	DMoose Lifting Straps	Iron Bull Strength Premium Lifting Straps
4.5	4.2	4.3	3.8	3.5	4.0	3.5	3.8	3.5	4.0
Description: Material: Nylon Style: Traditional Length: 24 inches Padding: 5mm neoprene	Description: Material: Cotton Style: Figure 8 Length: Length isn’t listed, but they are 6 to 7.5 inches wide Padding: None	Description: Material: PVC rubber Style: Grips Length: Not listed Padding: Neoprene	Description: Material: Rubber-coated stainless steel hooks, nylon strap Style: Hooks Length: 3.7 inches Padding: 8mm neoprene	Description: Material: Cotton Style: Traditional Length: 23 inches Padding: 5mm neoprene	Description: Material: Cotton Style: Traditional Length: 21.5 inches Padding: “Neotek” (neoprene)	Description: Material: Leather Style: Traditional Length: 24 inches Padding: None	Description: Material: Cotton Style: Olympic lifting Length: 8.5 inches Padding: None	Description: Material: Cotton Style: Traditional Length: 24 inches Padding: 4mm neoprene	Description: Material: Nylon Style: Traditional Length: 25 inches Padding: None
Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Best Lifting Straps Overall

Iron Bull Strength Unleash Lifting Straps

4.5

Description:

• Material: Nylon
• Style: Traditional
• Length: 24 inches
• Padding: 5mm neoprene

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Best Figure 8 Lifting Straps

DMoose Figure 8 Straps

4.2

Description:

• Material: Cotton
• Style: Figure 8
• Length: Length isn’t listed, but they are 6 to 7.5 inches wide
• Padding: None

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Best Lifting Straps for Deadlifts

Jerkfit Death Grips

4.3

Description:

• Material: PVC rubber
• Style: Grips
• Length: Not listed
• Padding: Neoprene

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Best Lifting Straps With Hooks

DMoose Lifting Hooks

3.8

Description:

• Material: Rubber-coated stainless steel hooks, nylon strap
• Style: Hooks
• Length: 3.7 inches
• Padding: 8mm neoprene

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Best Lifting Straps for Small Wrists

Element 26 Weight Lifting Straps

3.5

Description:

• Material: Cotton
• Style: Traditional
• Length: 23 inches
• Padding: 5mm neoprene

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Best Lifting Straps on Amazon

Harbinger Padded Cotton Lifting Straps

4.0

Description:

• Material: Cotton
• Style: Traditional
• Length: 21.5 inches
• Padding: “Neotek” (neoprene)

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Best Leather Lifting Straps

Rogue Treated Leather Straps

3.5

Description:

• Material: Leather
• Style: Traditional
• Length: 24 inches
• Padding: None

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Best Olympic Lifting Straps

Gymreapers Olympic Lifting Straps

3.8

Description:

• Material: Cotton
• Style: Olympic lifting
• Length: 8.5 inches
• Padding: None

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Best Budget Lifting Straps

DMoose Lifting Straps

3.5

Description:

• Material: Cotton
• Style: Traditional
• Length: 24 inches
• Padding: 4mm neoprene

Check Price

Best Lifting Straps for Powerlifting

Iron Bull Strength Premium Lifting Straps

4.0

Description:

• Material: Nylon
• Style: Traditional
• Length: 25 inches
• Padding: None

Check Price

FAQs

The post Best Lifting Straps for Powerlifting, Olympic Weightlifting, and More (2023) appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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As if winning his fifth consecutive Classic Physique championship at the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest wasn’t enough of a reason to celebrate, Chris Bumstead has even more motivation to remain at the top of his game as the calendar turns to 2024.

Coming off another successful showing at the biggest bodybuilding competition of the year, the king of the Classic Physique division can officially call himself a father-in-waiting. On Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, Bumstead and fiancée Courtney King revealed that they’re expecting their first child.

The power couple posted a four-part photo carousel with the simple caption “Baby Bum Coming 2024” to let the world know about their pregnancy. The third photo showed Bumstead and King holding a six-slide sonogram of their child.

While Bumstead brings big-name recognition and an impressive build that’s helped him reach the top of the Classic Physique mountain five years in a row, his partner also boasts impressive accomplishments and great genetics. A decorated athlete herself, King earned her IFBB Pro League Card in 2012, setting the stage for a highly successful run as a bikini competitor. The Chicago native didn’t reach quite the same level as her renowned future husband, but she did secure top-three finishes in 11 out of the 14 competitions she entered between 2013-16.

Notably, King capped off her career in epic fashion by capturing the 2016 Bikini Olympia championship over a crowded field that included three-time winner Ashley Kaltwasser. Two years later, she began dating Bumstead, who soon after started his run of dominance in the Classic Physique division. And just before he earned his fourth Olympia title, the Canadian native got down on one knee and proposed to King in October 2022.

[Related: Tia-Clair Toomey Works On Her Snatches For The First Time Post-Pregnancy]

As one of the most respected figures in the sport, Bumstead received plenty of support from his peers following the public announcement of his fiancee’s pregnancy.

“So so excited to meet Baby Bum! Kameron said he will babysit,” legendary coach Hany Rambod commented.

Seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath also expressed his excitement about Bumstead’s announcement.

“Congratulations! Shurie and I are so overjoyed for you both!” wrote the 43-year-old retired bodybuilder.

Ironically, Bumstead isn’t the only multiple-time champion who will soon become a first-time father. Derek Lunsford, who became the first two-division winner in Olympia history by earning the Men’s Open title two years after taking home the 212 Olympia crown, announced the expectation of his first child back in July 2023.

In a touching moment that only added to the magic of making his Mr. Olympia dream come true, Lunsford kissed his wife’s stomach as he celebrated earning the Sandow trophy and a $400,000 prize that should go a long way in helping the couple set their baby up for success.

Featured Image: cbum / Instagram

The post 5-Time Classic Physique Champion Chris Bumstead and Fiancée Courtney King Share Pregnancy Announcement   appeared first on Breaking Muscle.