Using straps helps your hands feel less tired after doing deadlifts, no matter if you lift the same weight as before or more because the straps help.
Scientific Claim
Grip fatigue during deadlifts is reduced when lifting straps are used, whether the load is based on non-strap or strap-assisted 1-repetition maximum, compared to deadlifts without straps.
Original Statement
“The magnitude of grip fatigue was lower during DLwn and DLww than DLn.”
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 uses 'lower' descriptively, but the conclusion implies straps 'allow for better maintenance of grip strength' — implying causation. No objective grip strength measurement or fatigue protocol is confirmed, so association is the only valid inference.
More Accurate Statement
“The use of lifting straps during deadlifts is associated with reduced magnitude of grip fatigue compared to deadlifts performed without straps, regardless of whether the load is based on non-strap or strap-assisted 1-repetition maximum.”
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 reduce grip fatigue during pulling exercises across populations and protocols.
Whether lifting straps consistently reduce grip fatigue during pulling exercises across populations and protocols.
What This Would Prove
Whether lifting straps consistently reduce grip fatigue during pulling exercises across populations and protocols.
Ideal Study Design
A meta-analysis of 10+ RCTs measuring grip strength decline (via hand dynamometer) before and after 4x4 deadlifts at 80% 1RM, comparing no-straps, straps with non-strap 1RM, and straps with strap-assisted 1RM, in healthy adults aged 18–45.
Limitation: Cannot determine if reduced fatigue improves long-term strength gains.
Randomized Controlled TrialLevel 1bIn EvidenceCausal effect of lifting straps on grip fatigue during deadlifts.
Causal effect of lifting straps on grip fatigue during deadlifts.
What This Would Prove
Causal effect of lifting straps on grip fatigue during deadlifts.
Ideal Study Design
A crossover RCT with 25+ trained individuals, measuring grip strength (handgrip dynamometer) pre- and post-4x4 deadlifts at 80% non-strap 1RM, under three conditions: no straps, straps with non-strap 1RM, straps with strap-assisted 1RM, with 72h washout and counterbalanced order.
Limitation: Fatigue may be influenced by muscle group fatigue beyond grip.
Cross-Sectional SurveyLevel 3Correlation between habitual strap use and self-reported hand fatigue in powerlifters.
Correlation between habitual strap use and self-reported hand fatigue in powerlifters.
What This Would Prove
Correlation between habitual strap use and self-reported hand fatigue in powerlifters.
Ideal Study Design
A survey of 300+ competitive powerlifters asking frequency of strap use and rating of hand fatigue after deadlift sessions on a 1–10 scale, controlling for training volume and grip strength.
Limitation: Cannot establish causation or physiological mechanism.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Ergogenic effects of lifting straps on movement velocity, grip strength, perceived exertion and grip security during the deadlift exercise.
The study found that using lifting straps during deadlifts makes your hands less tired and helps you hold the bar better, no matter how heavy the weight is — whether you're lifting based on how much you can lift with or without straps.