Your back can usually pull more than your hands can hold. That's the whole reason lifting straps exist. But once you start shopping, you'll run into two main styles: figure 8 straps and loop straps (also called lasso straps). They look similar hanging in a gym bag, but they work very differently.

This guide breaks down how each type works, where each one shines, and how to pick the right pair for the way you actually train. Quick spoiler: both are good tools. They're just good at different jobs.

What Are Lifting Straps For?

Lifting straps connect your wrist to the bar so your grip isn't the first thing to give out. On heavy deadlifts, rows and shrugs, your back, traps and hamstrings can often handle more weight (or more reps) than your fingers can. Straps close that gap so the muscles you're trying to train get the work.

They're a training tool, not a replacement for grip strength. Most lifters save them for their heaviest or highest-rep pulling sets.

What Are Figure 8 Straps?

Figure 8 lifting straps are a single piece of material sewn into the shape of an "8." You slide your hand through one loop, pass the other loop under the bar, then bring it back up over the same hand. Once you stand up with the weight, you're essentially locked to the bar.

Pros of figure 8 straps

• The most secure strap-to-bar connection you can get. The bar can't roll out.
• Quick to set up once you've practiced.
• Great for max-effort deadlifts, rack pulls, heavy shrugs and strongman-style holds.

Cons of figure 8 straps

• Hard to let go of fast. If a rep goes wrong, you can't just open your hands and drop the bar.
• The loops don't adjust, so they usually need to be sized to your wrist (and sometimes to the bar).
• Less versatile. They're built for heavy, static pulls, not for movements where you might need to bail.

What Are Loop (Lasso) Lifting Straps?

Loop straps are a long strap with a loop at one end. Your hand goes through the loop, and the free tail wraps around the bar. Roll the bar toward you to tighten the wrap, and you're set.

Pros of loop straps

• Versatile. They work on deadlifts, Romanian deadlifts (RDLs), rows, shrugs, pull-ups, lat pulldowns and faster pulls from the floor.
• Easier to release. Open your hand and the wrap loosens instead of holding you to the bar.
• Adjustable. You choose how many wraps and how tight, so they adapt to your wrist and the bar.
• Your fingers stay involved, so you still get some grip work.

Cons of loop straps

• They take a few extra seconds per side to set up.
• On very heavy pulls, a sloppy wrap can loosen a little. Good technique (wrap toward you, twist out the slack) fixes most of this.

Figure 8 vs Loop Straps: Side-by-Side

Are Figure 8 Straps Better for Deadlifts?

For a max-effort deadlift or a heavy rack pull where you have no plans to let go mid-rep, figure 8 straps give you the most locked-in feel. That's why strongman athletes and very heavy pullers like them.

But "better for deadlifts" doesn't always mean "better for you." Most people deadlift once or twice a week and spend the rest of their pulling volume on rows, RDLs, pull-ups and pulldowns. A well-wrapped pair of loop deadlift straps holds heavy pulls well, and it comes with you to every other pulling exercise. For most lifters, that makes loop straps the more practical pair.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose figure 8 straps if…

• You train strongman or regularly pull near-max deadlifts, rack pulls or heavy shrugs.
• You want the bar locked to your hands, and you know you won't need to bail.
• You already own loop straps and want a second, specialty pair for heavy days.

Choose loop straps if…

• You want one pair of lifting straps that handles almost every pulling exercise.
• You do a lot of rows, RDLs, pull-ups, lat pulldowns, or faster pulls like clean pulls and high pulls, where being able to let go matters. (If you do full snatches or cleans, practice bailing with any strap before you go heavy.)
• You want a quicker release and fewer "stuck to the bar" moments.
• You're new to straps and want something simple and adjustable.

Bottom line: For most lifters, loop straps are the better first pair. Add figure 8 lifting straps later if your deadlift training really calls for them.

Why We Make Padded Loop Straps

At Bay Gear Co., we make loop-style straps because they cover the widest range of lifts. Our padded lifting straps are built around a few simple things:

• 24 inches long, so you have enough tail to wrap the bar
• Thick cotton that holds onto the bar
• Neoprene padding where the strap sits on your wrist, so it doesn't dig in on heavy or high-rep sets
• No sizing to guess. The loop adjusts to your wrist

They come in solid colors like Black, Coyote Brown and Sand, plus prints like Black Camo, Pink Camo, Wild West Donuts and our Tactical Hawaiian design. Every strap product page has a short "How To Put On & Use" video.

Shop Bay Gear Co. padded lifting straps →

How to Use Loop Lifting Straps (Step by Step)

1. Put the loop on. Slide your hand through the loop so the padded part sits on the inside of your wrist and the tail runs across your palm toward your thumb.
2. Set your hand. Place your hand on the bar where you normally grip it, with the tail hanging under the bar.
3. Wrap the bar. Bring the tail under and around the bar, wrapping in the direction that tightens toward you.
4. Add another wrap if needed. One to two wraps is typical, depending on the bar.
5. Take up the slack. Grip the bar over the strap and roll the bar toward you until the strap feels snug against your wrist.
6. Repeat on the other side, set your back, and lift.
7. Release. Set the bar down, open your hands, and unwind the tail.

A few tips: do your warm-up sets without straps to keep training your grip, use chalk on your hands if your gym allows it, and watch the how-to video on any of our strap pages if you want to see it done.

FAQ

Are figure 8 straps better for deadlifts?

For maximal, static deadlifts and rack pulls, figure 8 straps offer the most secure hold. For everyday deadlift training plus rows, RDLs and pull-ups, loop straps are more versatile and easier to release. Many lifters are well served by loop straps alone.

Are lifting straps cheating?

No. In regular training, straps are a tool that lets your back, traps or hamstrings work past the point where your grip would quit. Keep in mind that straps aren't allowed in most powerlifting meets, so if you compete, train your raw grip too.

Can you use lifting straps for pull-ups?

Yes. Loop straps wrap around a pull-up bar just like a barbell and can help when your grip fails before your lats do. Figure 8 straps are awkward here because they're harder to get out of. Start with bodyweight reps until you're comfortable getting on and off the bar.

Will lifting straps weaken my grip?

Not if you use them wisely. Go strapless for warm-ups and lighter sets, save straps for your heaviest work, and add grip exercises like farmer's carries or dead hangs.

Should I get wrist wraps or lifting straps?

They do different jobs. Lifting straps help you hold the bar on pulling movements. Wrist wraps support your wrists on pressing movements like bench press and overhead press. Many lifters use both. Check out our weightlifting wrist wraps or grab the Wrist Wraps + Lifting Straps Bundle.

A Note on Who We Are

Bay Gear Co. is veteran owned and operated. Founder Brian Young started the brand in 2017 as an active-duty Marine at Camp Lejeune, and we relaunched in October 2023. Today we're based in Sebastian, Florida, outfitting lifters with gear that works hard and doesn't look boring.

Orders of $49 or more ship free, orders placed by 3 PM ET ship the same day, and unused gear can be returned within 30 days.

Ready to upgrade your grip? Shop our padded lifting straps and find your pair.