You have your training plan, your water bottle and a little time set aside for yourself. Then you reach for a pulling exercise and notice your hands tiring before the muscles you wanted to train. Is that a job for lifting straps or wrist wraps? The names sound similar, but these accessories do different things. Knowing which is which makes it easier to choose something you will actually use.
The Short Answer
- **Lifting straps** connect your hands to a bar or suitable handle to assist your grip during pulling exercises.
- **Wrist wraps** wrap around the wrist joint to provide support, often during pressing exercises.
- **They are not interchangeable.** A strap that helps you hold a bar is not the same as a wrap designed to support your wrist.
What Do Lifting Straps Do?
Lifting straps help you maintain your hold when grip becomes the limiting factor in a set. They are commonly used for exercises such as deadlifts and barbell rows, where you are pulling a weight rather than pressing it away. That does not mean every set needs straps, or that putting them on is a reason to add more weight. Think of them as an optional accessory for an exercise you already know how to perform.
There are different designs. Traditional lasso straps have a loose end that wraps around the bar. **Figure 8 straps** have two connected loops that secure the wrist around the bar. Because a figure 8 design keeps you more closely attached, understanding how to release it is just as important as learning how to put it on.
What Do Wrist Wraps Do?
Wrist wraps sit around the wrist without attaching you to the weight. Some lifters use them for extra support during movements such as bench presses or overhead presses. They do not take over the job of gripping a bar, and they are not a substitute for choosing a manageable load or learning a comfortable wrist position.
If your wrist hurts, neither wraps nor lifting straps are a reason to push through it. Stop the movement and seek advice from a qualified health professional if pain persists. An accessory should support your training, not disguise a problem.
When Might Figure 8 Straps Make Sense?
You might consider them when your technique is consistent but your grip gives out before you finish a planned pulling set. For example, your hands may struggle to hold a barbell during a row even though you could otherwise continue with controlled repetitions. Start by checking your setup and load; straps are one option, not an automatic fix.
- Keep some suitable sets strap-free if developing grip strength is one of your goals.
- Practise fitting and releasing the straps with an unloaded bar before adding weight.
- Check the fit, material and stitching before use. Stop if there is damage, slipping, numbness or discomfort.
- Ask a qualified trainer to check your setup if you are new to lifting straps.
- Do not use figure 8 straps for movements where you need to release the bar quickly, such as Olympic lifts.
Avara Wrist Straps Are Figure 8 Lifting Straps
Our **Avara Figure 8 Wrist Straps** are lifting straps, not wrist wraps. Made from soft neoprene and available in **Milk, Latte and Mocha**, they are designed to assist your grip during suitable pulling exercises. The figure 8 construction is the important detail to look for when comparing them with other wrist accessories.
Choose the colour you love, but choose the accessory for the way you train. If you want help holding the bar during a pulling movement, lifting straps may suit you. If you are looking for support around the wrist during pressing, you are looking at a different product category.
Keep Your Gym Bag Simple
You do not need every accessory to have a good session. Start with movements you can control, build confidence gradually and add pieces that solve a real need. The right Avara accessories should fit into your routine-not make it more complicated.