I don’t believe in using crutches to help me build muscle. I believe that proper form, hard work, and a healthy dose of obsession are the keys to consistent training results. That being said, I’m a natural bodybuilder, not a powerlifter. If you’re training for looks and to improve your physique, not to be as strong as possible, then you damn well better be using a pair of lifting straps for all of your back exercises.

In an exercise like the deadlift, the amount of weight you can lift is often limited by your forearm strength. Your grip will give out long before your back or legs do. To help resolve this issue, and ensure that your back is getting the workout it deserves, you need lifting straps.

Lifting straps wrap around your wrists and then around the bar or dumbbell you’re lifting, effectively giving you a far greater ability to maintain your grip on the bar. If you’re not already using a pair, get some! Most sporting stores have lifting straps, but you can also find a variety of quality straps at BodyBuilding.com.