Using straps might help you lift faster and feel less tired during deadlifts, so coaches might want to consider using them to help people train harder.
Scientific Claim
Lifting straps may allow for greater mechanical performance and reduced perceived exertion during deadlifts compared to performing deadlifts without straps, which has implications for resistance training programming.
Original Statement
“These findings suggest that the use of lifting straps during deadlifts allows for a better maintenance of grip strength, faster grip strength recovery following training, and greater perceived grip security and power than deadlifts performed without lifting straps, while also increasing mechanical performance and decreasing the perceived exertion. Therefore, the ergogenic potential of the lifting straps has important training implications and should be considered during RT involving the deadlift exercise and possibly other pulling exercises.”
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 definitive language ('allows for', 'increasing', 'decreasing', 'should be considered') implying causation and recommendation, but the study design (randomization, blinding, control) is not confirmed. Only association can be claimed.
More Accurate Statement
“The use of lifting straps during deadlifts is associated with higher movement velocity, lower perceived exertion, greater perceived grip security, and reduced grip fatigue compared to deadlifts without straps, suggesting that straps may be a useful tool in resistance training programming for pulling exercises.”
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 improve mechanical performance and reduce perceived exertion across multiple studies and populations to support training recommendations.
Whether lifting straps consistently improve mechanical performance and reduce perceived exertion across multiple studies and populations to support training recommendations.
What This Would Prove
Whether lifting straps consistently improve mechanical performance and reduce perceived exertion across multiple studies and populations to support training recommendations.
Ideal Study Design
A meta-analysis of 15+ RCTs comparing deadlift and pull-up performance (velocity, power, 1RM) and perceived exertion (Borg CR10) with vs. without straps, in healthy resistance-trained adults, with subgroup analysis by sex, training status, and exercise type.
Limitation: Cannot determine optimal timing or long-term effects on strength adaptation.
Randomized Controlled TrialLevel 1bCausal effect of strap use on training outcomes over a multi-week program.
Causal effect of strap use on training outcomes over a multi-week program.
What This Would Prove
Causal effect of strap use on training outcomes over a multi-week program.
Ideal Study Design
A 12-week RCT with 60+ trained adults randomized to deadlift training with straps vs. without straps, measuring weekly velocity, 1RM progression, perceived exertion, and grip strength recovery, with blinding to condition and standardized programming.
Limitation: Blinding is difficult in resistance training studies; participants may alter effort based on condition.
Prospective Cohort StudyLevel 2bLong-term association between strap use and training adherence or strength gains in real-world settings.
Long-term association between strap use and training adherence or strength gains in real-world settings.
What This Would Prove
Long-term association between strap use and training adherence or strength gains in real-world settings.
Ideal Study Design
A 1-year prospective cohort of 200+ gym-goers tracking deadlift performance, perceived exertion, and strap use frequency, controlling for training volume, nutrition, and experience, to assess if strap users achieve greater strength gains or adherence.
Limitation: Confounding by motivation, coaching, or equipment access.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Ergogenic effects of lifting straps on movement velocity, grip strength, perceived exertion and grip security during the deadlift exercise.
Using lifting straps made people lift heavier weights faster and feel less tired during deadlifts, while also helping them hold the bar better — so straps help you perform better and feel easier doing the exercise.