Lifting straps

Wrapped around your wrists and then looped around a bar or handle, lifting straps create a firmer connection between your hands and the equipment. They are usually narrow lengths of strong fabric or leather. Once tightened, they feel secure but should not pinch, and you still need to hold the bar rather than simply hang from them.

You can use them for pulling movements, especially when your hands tire before your back and legs do. They can help you keep hold of a bar during lifts from the floor, rows and similar exercises, letting you focus on steady movement and control. They do not replace learning a comfortable, secure grip.

They suit you if pulling exercises are limited by tired hands, though you can also train without them while learning. They take almost no storage space and scale easily because you decide when to use them and how tightly to wrap them. Start with light resistance and practise releasing them promptly. Simply using less resistance is a straightforward alternative.