You're absolutely having to grip the bar when using straps
The load isn't on the wrists.
Maybe we should start a thread on it. This is 0ni's thread.
My bench is weak as piss. I use wrist wraps mainly because they give me direct feedback to ensure that I keep my wrists straight. Then becomes something I don't need to think about.
I also use them for squats as in low bar position with as narrow a grip as my shoulders allow the wrists aren't straight. The bar is not loading up the wrists though. I can squat without them but as soon as you look at doing anything remotely high volume it makes sense for me to use them.
I rarely use straps for deadlifts except for when my hands are already a bit beaten up but I did get a slight pain in the wrist from using them last week. First time it's happened though.
I didn't articulate properly.
You obviously still grip the bar with your hands, it's not like 100% of the weight is borne by the wrist. For me (when I have used them previously for 200+ deads) I still felt like my grip had nearly all of the weight. The again I don't train for strength primarily so it matters not.
Still there is no one putting up a decent argument to why straps and wraps are different.
Powerlifters are happy to wrap themselves up and claim it raw but then hate on straps when they do the same things that wraps do.
Not that I want it to happen but as an example why not have straps in raw powerlifting. They have knee wraps, wrist wraps. Why are they different? People would add much more to their total from knee wraps than straps on deads.
People definitely overuse wraps these days! Next people will be putting them on to bench the bar.
I've made the decision to ditch wrist wraps while benching & will only bring them back in just before comps when I'm benching 4+ plates. I feel there's a possible benefit to be had by doing this...
A power lifter should train the bench, using a safe (width) grip, most of the time.
Still there is no one putting up a decent argument to why straps and wraps are different.
Powerlifters are happy to wrap themselves up and claim it raw but then hate on straps when they do the same things that wraps do.
Not that I want it to happen but as an example why not have straps in raw powerlifting. They have knee wraps, wrist wraps. Why are they different? People would add much more to their total from knee wraps than straps on deads.
A power lifter should train the bench, using a safe (width) grip, most of the time.