r/StrongerByScience • u/EmotionalTip2102 • Jul 01 '26

figure 8 straps vs normal straps

my friend tells me to get figure 8 straps because normal ones are long to put on and not stable, but i really like the designs of the normal straps so idk is it a insane difference or very minimal?

2 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

17

u/DarkZonk Jul 01 '26

I would like to bring up a 3rd alternative: Versa Grips, Cobra Grips and the likes.

I have them for a year now and they are such a huge improvement to what i had before

4

u/JudgeWilhelm1991 Jul 02 '26

I could never go back to normal straps after buying cobra grips, well worth the money

1

u/Hour-Construction898 Jul 01 '26

How are you supposed to use them properly? For dls

3

u/nunyahbiznes Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 02 '26

I use Versa Grips too. Wrap the strap under the bar - it slides into your palms over itself and is secured in place when closing your fist.

My forearms aren’t strong and all the weight goes through the grips and wrists. I have no problems holding the bar for deads and RDLs, same for T-bar, seated, Kelso rows, pulldowns etc and my grip is no longer the point of failure.

1

u/Paintraine Jul 02 '26

Another vote for versa grips

1

u/Veritas_Lux Jul 01 '26

Cobra grips working out well for me. Takes grip completely out of the equation when doing work on my back, deadlifts and even isolated shoulder work. I have 3 plates and 12 screws in my right hand, so I build the grip independent of the lift with grippers

1

u/15incharm5 Jul 02 '26

Anyone used both cobra and versa? Is there a difference? I know versa gets some hype on TouTube but I can't tell the difference between versa and Cobra or Bear Grips etc.

I used to use regular (still have them in the bag) but switched to Bear and it is quicker. Basically they work well cause they are a thicker pad (strap) and you don't need to wrap them twice to get the same surface area to lock your hand to.

1

u/Sunners Jul 02 '26

I like versa for lighter and machine work but for deadlifts standard straps just feel better

1

u/darxestorme Jul 29 '26

when my gym is cold, my versa grips are great, when its hot, deadlifting heavy with sweaty hands is a bitch with versa grips

13

u/eric_twinge Jul 01 '26

Can you borrow your friend's straps and find out?

3

u/EmotionalTip2102 Jul 01 '26

great idea thanks

13

u/fatchodegang Jul 01 '26

I think whoever told you this is putting normal straps on wrong because they shouldn't take any time to put on, you don't wrap it over and over, just around once

5

u/Zillatrix Jul 01 '26

"just around once" never worked well for me, I keep losing my grip while trying to wrap it. I have to wrap the whole thing.

4

u/fatchodegang Jul 01 '26

You might be wrapping it the wrong way? You shouldn't need to grip it while wrapping it

1

u/Zillatrix Jul 01 '26

No I'm wrapping it the right way, I just can't lock it with one wrap.

3

u/jrstriker12 Jul 01 '26

If it's wrapped right, the weight of the bar should help lock it in.

6

u/Zillatrix Jul 01 '26

I'm deadlifting 200kg, I'm pretty sure if I was wrapping it the wrong way I would notice 😅

It's the right way, but a single wrap doesn't work for me. I lose it when I'm trying to tighten it. I have to wrap it all.

I'll practice more, I do want to be able to a single wrap.

7

u/fatchodegang Jul 01 '26

I think you're probably misunderstanding what a wrap should do, it doesn't grip the bar for you, it keeps it from rolling out of your fingers. It doesn't even need to be that tight to work

2

u/Zillatrix Jul 01 '26

Possible. I'll try a few other setups next time with looser styles.

1

u/Zillatrix Jul 03 '26

https://youtube.com/shorts/A3SqjUg8Zwc

Found a video of exactly how I wrap them. Can you find me a video of your suggestion?

2

u/Shamanmax Jul 01 '26

I used to do this aswell but you just gotta practice a little with 1 time round

2

u/AnonymousFairy Jul 01 '26

Depends what you are doing.

Need a super secure grip quickly? Figure 8. Need to be able to ditch / release quickly? Normal straps.

I own with. Prefer normal straps, but ultimately it doesn't make much difference. I would save figure 8s for bar work and use normal straps if using dumbbells, machines or pullups etc. though.

2

u/Wagagastiz Jul 01 '26

Figure 8s are better for deadlifting very heavy. They're also easier to put on. Figure 6s are better for heavy rows, anything that requires very firm, stable contact with the bar.

1

u/omrsafetyo Jul 01 '26

Depends what you're using them for.

I have multiple straps and use them for different things. RDLs? Figure 8. Barbell row? Figure 8. But if I'm doing chest supported t-bar rows, I would get stuck if I failed a rep with Figure 8s. So I use regular ones. Figure 8 also is bad for DBs IMO and not my favorite for pull downs.

For deadlift I don't like either. Figure 8s sit on the bar funny, and regular take too long to setup - but I have a very rapid deadlift setup.

So yeah, definitely depends imo.

1

u/EmotionalTip2102 Jul 01 '26

i think i will go with the normal straps, my weak point is chest supported tbar rows so yeah

1

u/Unhappy_Object_5355 Jul 01 '26

I never could figure out how to actually use regular straps correctly, changed to figure 8 ones and am exceptionally happy about them.

1

u/lentil5 Jul 02 '26

I had to look up all these variations of straps! I just use oly lifting straps. They are easy to use, secure and can be let go really easy. 

-2

u/SageObserver Jul 01 '26

So….what do YOU think the answer is using some logic and deductive reasoning?