How to Choose Tear-Offs, Belts, and Gloves

⟶ Grab a pair of gloves. They’re great for general strength training, machines, dumbbells, and home workouts. They help prevent chafing and calluses and make it more comfortable to grip dumbbells or pull-up bars.

⟶ Wrist wraps are worth it. They help stabilize your wrists during more demanding exercises, such as the bench press, overhead presses, or heavier sets with dumbbells.

⟶ That’s when lanyards or resistance bands come in handy. Typically, during deadlifts (lifting a barbell off the ground), pull-ups, or shrugs (shrugging your shoulders with a barbell in your hands), they help take the strain off your grip so you can focus more on the target muscles.

⟶ In that case, look for a weightlifting belt. The belt is most commonly used for heavy squats, deadlifts, or other strength exercises, where it helps provide more stable support for the core.

⟶ Check out the hook straps. These are especially useful for heavier pulling exercises, when you need maximum security and don't want your grip to limit you.

Gloves are a good choice for anyone who wants greater comfort, protection for their palms, and a more secure grip on the bar or handle. For regular fitness workouts, lighter and breathable models tend to be more practical, while models with a sturdier palm, padding, or wrist support are better suited for more intense strength training.

The ACRA lineup includes, for example, the RDX W1F full-finger gloves and various RDX fitness and weightlifting gloves. With full-finger models, you’ll appreciate the added protection and often better breathability, while shorter models offer a looser feel when gripping.

Wrist wraps are especially useful when you need to provide your wrists with extra support during your workout. They’re most commonly used for pushing exercises, where the wrists take a heavier load and there’s a risk of overloading them or hyperextending them backward.

At ACRA, you’ll find, for example, the RDX WR11 Wrist Wraps, which are designed specifically to provide firmer support and stability during more demanding exercises.

Lifting straps and wrist straps come in handy when your muscles can still keep going but your grip can’t. They’re typically used for pulling exercises, where you want to reduce forearm fatigue and hold the barbell longer.

For general strength training and beginners, classic wrist straps are usually a good choice. They’re versatile and easy to use.

Product example: RDX S4 Weightlifting Wrist Straps

Hooked straps are a particularly useful aid for heavier pulling exercises. They’re often chosen by people who want to secure their grip as quickly and firmly as possible, or by athletes who find that classic lifting straps don’t work for them.

Product example: RDX W5 weightlifting hook straps

A weight belt is more of an accessory for heavier strength training than for absolute beginners. It helps create a more stable core, but it’s no substitute for proper technique. It’s most useful during heavy basic exercises, not during every light set.

At ACRA, you’ll find both leather belts and some lighter, modern alternatives. Leather belts tend to be sturdier and better suited for strength training, while nylon models may be more comfortable and flexible.

Product examples:
RDX RD1 Leather Powerlifting Belt, RDX RX1 Powerlifting
Belt

Type of workout
⟶ For regular fitness exercises, gloves are often sufficient. For more intense strength training, wrist wraps, lifting straps, or a belt are more commonly used.

Level of Support
⟶ The heavier the weights and the more demanding the exercises, the more sense it makes to have greater support for your wrists or core. Conversely, for lighter workouts, simpler gear is usually more comfortable.

Material and Comfort
⟶ For gloves, consider breathability, padding, and the type of palm. For wrist straps, decide whether you prefer sturdy leather or a lighter, more flexible material.

The Right Size
⟶ Size is crucial for both gloves and belts. Gloves that are too loose can bunch up, while a belt that’s too tight won’t be comfortable or functional.

✔ Don’t use everything right from the start.
For beginners, gloves—or nothing at all—are usually enough. Grips, pull-ups, and a belt are most useful once you know what’s really holding you back during training.

✔ A weight belt isn’t a magic solution for your back.
It can help, but only if you know how to properly engage your core and breathe into your abdomen. Without proper technique, it won’t solve the problem on its own.

✔ Use lifting straps only when they make sense.
They’re mainly useful for heavy pulling exercises. It’s not a good idea to get used to relying on them for everything, because you might neglect developing your own grip strength.

✔ Choose gloves based on your training style.
Versatile models work well for machines and general fitness; for heavier exercises or longer workouts, you’ll appreciate a sturdier palm and better wrist support.

✔ Not everyone will find the same type of belt suitable for deadlifts.
Some people prefer a classic, firm powerlifting belt, while others find a model that puts less pressure on the abdomen or hips in the bottom position more comfortable during the lift.