💡 Straps vs Grips vs Gloves: What’s Best for Your Training Style?
If you've been in the gym for more than a few sessions, you've probably seen lifters using gloves, straps, or lifting grips — sometimes all in one session.
Each of these tools plays a different role when it comes to performance, protection, and support. But which is right for you?
In this post, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each, how to choose based on your training goals, and why grips like AthletiqGrips™ might be the versatile solution you didn’t know you needed.
🏋️ Who Should Use What?
Let’s explore who benefits most from each option — and why some lifters end up using more than one.
✅ Lifting Straps — Your Best Friend on Heavy Pull Days
Perfect For:
- Deadlifts, barbell rows, shrugs, and any movement where grip gives out before your muscles.
Pros:
- Provides a strong mechanical hold, helping you lift heavier without worrying about grip fatigue.
- Lets you train to failure on key lifts without dropping the bar prematurely.
Cons:
- Takes a moment to wrap around the bar.
- Doesn’t protect your palms from friction or tearing.
- Not ideal for push exercises like bench press or overhead pressing.
👉 Bottom line: Lifting straps are great for max effort pulling movements and a valuable tool to have — especially if grip is holding you back from strength gains.
✅ Lifting Gloves — Comfort + Protection for Beginners
Perfect For:
- Light to moderate lifting
- Those who dislike calluses or have sensitive skin
Pros:
- Offers solid palm protection
- Helps avoid blisters and friction
Cons:
- Often reduces grip sensitivity
- Can absorb sweat and get smelly over time
- Less supportive during heavier lifts
👉 Bottom line: Gloves offer decent protection and comfort, but may limit performance as you advance.
✅ Lifting Grips (AthletiqGrips™) — The Best of Both Worlds
Perfect For:
- Functional fitness, strength training, and hypertrophy workouts
- Athletes who train both push and pull in the same session
Pros:
- Combines grip support + skin protection
- Fast to put on and take off
- Helps prevent calluses without compromising grip feel
- Great for pull-ups, rows, presses, dumbbells, and more
- Easy to clean and sweat-resistant
Cons:
- May take 1–2 workouts to get used to
- Once you start using them… it’s hard to go back
👉 Bottom line: AthletiqGrips™ are the most versatile grip tool, perfect for daily use and built for performance and comfort.
Why Lifters Are Switching to AthletiqGrips™
Instead of choosing between gloves or straps, many lifters are now using grips like AthletiqGrips™ as their go-to gym essential.
They’re designed to:
- Protect your hands from calluses and friction
- Provide support without bulky padding
- Give you a direct feel on the bar
- Improve wrist comfort and alignment
And the best part? You don’t need to switch gear between exercises — AthletiqGrips™ work across pull days, push days, and everything in between.