Bells of Steel Figure 8 Lifting Straps

Figure 8 straps lock your hands onto the barbell more securely than standard straps, which is ideal for heavy pulling movements like rack pulls or shrugs. Because they create a closed loop around your wrist and the bar, they essentially eliminate the need to actively grip the bar, allowing you to focus entirely on the lift.

They are excellent for deadlifts, rack pulls, and rows where you want maximum security. However, because the figure 8 design keeps your hands locked to the bar, they are not recommended for movements where you might need to bail quickly, such as Olympic lifts or overhead work.

Figure 8 straps are generally one-size-fits-all, but the fit depends on the thickness of the barbell and the size of your wrists. They are designed to be snug; if you have smaller wrists or are using a thinner bar, you may find there is slightly more slack, but the secure loop design typically accommodates most lifters.

Yes, by removing your grip strength as the limiting factor, these straps allow you to overload your back and posterior chain muscles. When your hands aren't the first thing to fatigue, you can often perform more reps or handle heavier loads than you could with a raw grip.

Place one loop around your wrist, pass the other loop under the barbell, and then pull that loop over your hand so both loops are secured around your wrist. It takes a few tries to get the rhythm, but once you've done it, the setup is significantly faster than wrapping traditional straps around a bar.