Versa Gripps Alternatives: What to Look for in Lifting Grips

Versa Gripps are one of the best known lifting grips around, and the design has earned its following: a padded wrist cuff with a grip pad that folds over the bar is quick to set up and easy to let go of. But they are not the only option, and the right grip for you depends on your hands, your wrists and what you train. This guide covers what to look for in a lifting grip and the main alternatives worth considering.

What lifting grips do

Lifting grips are pull day accessories. A cuff closes around your wrist and a pad extends past your palm. You fold the pad over the bar, close your hand on top, and some of the load moves from your fingers to your wrist. That lets you keep holding heavy deadlifts, rows, shrugs and pulldowns after your grip would normally give out. When the set ends, you open your hand and the pad lets go. There is no wrapping or threading.

What to look for in a Versa Gripps alternative

Fit at the wrist

The cuff should close snugly over your wrist without digging in. Too big and it slides, too small and it pinches. Check whether the brand offers sizes, and whether those sizes cover smaller wrists as well as larger ones.

Pad length

The pad needs to reach around the bar and sit under your fingers. Too short and it will not wrap far enough to hold. Too long and it bunches up in your palm. Pad length should scale with hand size.

Grip surface

A textured or rubberized surface is what holds the bar. Look for one that grips knurled barbells, smooth cable handles and dumbbells equally well.

Closure

Hook and loop closures are fast and adjustable. Make sure the closure is wide enough to stay shut under heavy pulls.

Comfort

Padding inside the cuff matters on heavy sets, when the load presses the cuff into your wrist.

The main alternatives

Other lifting grips

Several brands make grips with the same basic design. The differences come down to sizing, padding, pad material and how the cuff closes. If you like the style but want a different fit or price point, start here.

Lifting straps

Cotton or nylon straps wrap around the bar. They are cheap, simple and very secure. The trade off is speed: you wrap them before each set and unwrap them to let go. Our guide to lifting grips vs lifting straps compares the two in detail.

Lifting hooks

Hooks attach a metal or hard plastic hook to a wrist strap. They are fast, but your hand barely holds the bar, which some lifters find less secure and less natural on rows and pulldowns.

Figure 8 straps

These loop around both the bar and your wrist and lock you in. They are very secure on maximum deadlifts and shrugs, but they do not release quickly, so they suit experienced lifters.

Which should you choose?

• You want speed and a quick release: lifting grips
• You want the cheapest secure option: lifting straps
• You are pulling maximum weights on deadlifts or shrugs: figure 8 straps
• You want your hand on the bar for rows and pulldowns: grips rather than hooks

FAQ

Are lifting grips better than straps?

Neither is better for everyone. Grips are faster to put on and let go of, while straps are cheaper and very secure. Many lifters prefer grips for high volume back work.

Do lifting grips work for pull ups?

Yes. Grips help on pull ups and chin ups when your hands give out before your back does.

Will lifting grips weaken my grip?

Only if you use them on every set. Train your lighter sets without them, and save grips for heavy or high rep sets where your back can keep going after your hands tire.

What size lifting grips do I need?

Measure around your wrist and compare it with the brand's size guide. If you are between sizes, choose the one that closes securely without pinching.

Looking for a premium grip at a fair price? Valdra My Grip pairs a padded wrist cuff and hook and loop closure with a textured grip pad that locks onto bars, handles and dumbbells. Open your hand and the pad lets go. Sold as a pair and sized for women and men. Join the Founding 200 on our homepage for 20% off the launch range and free shipping for life.

Versa Gripps is a trademark of its owner. Valdra is not affiliated with or endorsed by Versa Gripps.