Using lifting straps while doing deadlifts lets you lift the weight faster, but only if you use the same weight you’d lift without straps — if you increase the weight because straps help, you actually lift slower.
Scientific Claim
During deadlifts performed with lifting straps, mean and peak movement velocity are greater compared to deadlifts performed without straps, and velocity is lower when straps are used with a weight based on strap-assisted 1-rep max versus non-strap 1-rep max, suggesting straps enhance mechanical performance under certain loading conditions.
Original Statement
“DLwn allowed for greater mean velocity (MV) and peak velocity (PV) than DLnn and DLww, while MV and PV were greater during DLnn than DLww.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
overstated
Study Design Support
Design cannot support claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The abstract implies causation through phrases like 'allows for' and 'increasing', but the study design (RCT status, blinding, control) is not confirmed. Only association can be stated. The verb 'are greater' is descriptive but the interpretation implies causation.
More Accurate Statement
“During deadlifts, the use of lifting straps with a load based on non-strap 1-repetition maximum is associated with higher mean and peak movement velocity compared to deadlifts without straps or with straps using a strap-assisted 1-repetition maximum load.”
Gold Standard Evidence Needed
According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.
Systematic Review & Meta-AnalysisLevel 1aWhether lifting straps consistently increase movement velocity across diverse populations and loading protocols during deadlifts and similar pulling exercises.
Whether lifting straps consistently increase movement velocity across diverse populations and loading protocols during deadlifts and similar pulling exercises.
What This Would Prove
Whether lifting straps consistently increase movement velocity across diverse populations and loading protocols during deadlifts and similar pulling exercises.
Ideal Study Design
A meta-analysis of 15+ randomized controlled trials in healthy adult males and females aged 18–45, comparing deadlift velocity using straps vs. no straps, with standardized protocols: 4 sets of 4 reps at 80% of 1RM, velocity measured via linear position transducer, and outcome reported as mean and peak velocity with effect sizes.
Limitation: Cannot establish mechanisms or long-term training adaptations.
Randomized Controlled TrialLevel 1bIn EvidenceCausal effect of lifting straps on movement velocity during deadlifts under controlled conditions.
Causal effect of lifting straps on movement velocity during deadlifts under controlled conditions.
What This Would Prove
Causal effect of lifting straps on movement velocity during deadlifts under controlled conditions.
Ideal Study Design
A double-blind, crossover RCT with 30+ healthy resistance-trained adults (18–40 y), randomized to three conditions: deadlifts without straps, with straps using non-strap 1RM, and with straps using strap-assisted 1RM, each separated by 72h rest, with velocity measured via validated motion capture system, and primary outcome: mean and peak velocity.
Limitation: Cannot generalize to untrained populations or long-term use.
Prospective Cohort StudyLevel 2bLong-term association between regular strap use and velocity gains in resistance training populations.
Long-term association between regular strap use and velocity gains in resistance training populations.
What This Would Prove
Long-term association between regular strap use and velocity gains in resistance training populations.
Ideal Study Design
A 12-month prospective cohort of 100+ resistance-trained individuals tracking deadlift velocity changes over time, comparing those who routinely use straps vs. those who never use them, controlling for training volume, experience, and nutrition.
Limitation: Cannot rule out confounding by training habits or motivation.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Ergogenic effects of lifting straps on movement velocity, grip strength, perceived exertion and grip security during the deadlift exercise.
When people use lifting straps during deadlifts, they can lift faster — but only if they use the same weight they’d lift without straps. If they use a heavier weight because the straps help, they actually move slower. So straps help you lift faster, but only up to a point.