Versa Gripps solve a specific problem well: holding a heavy bar when your hands fail before the target muscles do. They are faster to use than traditional straps and are still sewn in Maine, but they cost more than basic straps and need correct sizing.
What we like
- Self-supporting palm piece grips the bar without wrapping and threading
- Quick release by opening your hands, useful between sets and in circuits
- Made in the USA, with a stainless steel, rust-resistant buckle
- Range from the $49.99 Classic to the $109.99 Xtreme with carpal-area arch support
- Sizing by wrist circumference, plus free 30-day exchanges
Keep in mind
- More expensive than basic lifting straps
- Short learning curve to get bar placement right
- Bulkier than straps, and not designed to be washed
- Warranty messaging is inconsistent between banner and product pages
For many lifters, the first thing to fail on a heavy deadlift or a long set of rows is not the back or the lats but the hands. Traditional lifting straps fix that, but threading and wrapping them takes time and practice. Versa Gripps take a different route: a padded wrist cuff with a stiff, tacky palm piece that wraps around the bar and holds it with only light pressure from your fingers.
The brand has been making them in Maine since the late 1990s, when founder Mike Parker turned an idea into a family business. We looked at the current range, sizing, pricing and policies to help you decide which model, if any, belongs in your gym bag.
How Versa Gripps work
Each grip has two parts: a padded, funnel-shaped strap that buckles around your wrist and a self-supporting palm piece that extends past your fingers. You lay the palm piece over the bar, close your hand, and the material locks around the handle. To let go, you simply open your hands, which is faster and safer than unwinding a strap.
For pressing movements, you can cinch the wrist strap tight so it acts like a light wrist wrap. That versatility is a big part of the appeal: one product covers pulling assistance and some wrist support, so you are not swapping gear between exercises.
The grips are sewn in the USA, at a facility producing around 600 pairs a day, and use a proprietary non-slip palm material, reinforced non-abrasive thread and a stainless steel buckle.
Classic, Pro, FitPro or Xtreme?
Classic ($49.99)
A 5.75-inch grip with a padded wrist strap and textured grip surface. A sensible start for casual lifters and lighter to moderate loads.
Pro ($79.99)
The core model for most lifters: a 6.25-inch grip, a padded funnel strap with built-in arch support and a 1.5-inch wide cuff. The Pro Plus ($84.99) extends the grip to 6.75 inches for larger hands or thicker bars. Well suited to deadlifts, pull-ups and bent-over rows.
FitPro ($79.99)
Priced alongside the Pro and aimed at mixed training sessions.
Xtreme ($109.99)
The top model, with a 6.25-inch grip, double-stitched construction, U-shaped arch support over the carpal tunnel area and a quick-release design. Aimed at advanced lifters moving heavy weight frequently. A Custom Xtreme lets you choose strap colors and add embroidered initials.
The brand also sells Versa Wrapps wrist wraps (from $27.99, in 12- and 18-inch lengths) and a VG Hyperbelt lifting belt ($89.99).
See Versa Gripps's current range
Getting the size right
Sizing is based on wrist circumference rather than hand size, which surprises many first-time buyers:
- XS: 5–6 inches
- S: 6–7 inches
- Regular/Large: 7–8 inches
- XL: 8 inches and up
Measure just above the wrist bone with a soft tape. If you fall on the line between two sizes, the brand recommends sizing up. A grip that is too small will feel tight and may dig in; one that is too large will shift under load.
Price, shipping and policies
Gripps cost from $49.99 to $109.99, which is more than basic cotton or nylon straps. You can save 10% when bundling Versa Gripps with Versa Wrapps, and the VIP email list offers 5% off. Orders over $75 ship free within the continental US, and orders containing Gripps or Wrapps include a free storage bag.
The store offers free 30-day exchanges for US customers, useful if your first size is wrong. On warranty, the site banner advertises a lifetime warranty, while product pages describe coverage for manufacturing defects reported within one year and exclude normal wear, washing and misuse. Treat the product-page terms as the safer assumption and keep your receipt.
Are lifting grips right for you?
Grips are a tool for specific situations, not something to wear for every rep. In our research, they make the most sense when:
- Your grip fails before the target muscle on heavy pulls, rows or shrugs.
- You run high-volume back sessions where forearm fatigue limits the work you can do.
- You have hand discomfort from knurling, or calluses that tear.
- You want quick on-and-off between exercises in circuits.
They are less useful if you are training grip strength itself, competing in a sport where straps are not allowed, or only lifting light weights. Many coaches suggest doing warm-ups and lighter sets without aids so your grip continues to develop.
If you are building out a lifting kit, 2POOD and Bells of Steel are worth a look for belts, wraps and the equipment itself.
Technique tips for first-time users
Versa Gripps feel different from straps, and a few sessions of practice make them far more effective.
- Buckle snugly, not tightly. The cuff should sit just above the wrist bone without cutting off circulation. Tighten it more only for pressing movements.
- Lay the palm piece over the bar first. Place it across the bar, then wrap your fingers around it. Gripping the bar directly and then trying to tuck the material in tends to bunch it.
- Use light pressure. The material is designed to hold with modest finger pressure. Squeezing as hard as possible defeats part of the purpose and tires your forearms.
- Practice on lighter sets. Try them on lat pulldowns or dumbbell rows before using them on a heavy deadlift.
- Store them dry. Let them air out after training and keep them in their bag rather than at the bottom of a damp gym bag.
Our verdict
Versa Gripps are a well-made, genuinely clever product with a long track record and USA manufacturing. The Pro is the best balance of price and features for most lifters, and the Xtreme earns its premium for heavy, frequent training. Size by wrist, use them where they help, and they should earn their place in your bag.
Versa Gripps products at a glance
| Product | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Versa Gripps Pro | 6.25-inch grip with padded funnel strap and built-in arch support; Pro Plus has a 6.75-inch grip. | $79.99 |
| Versa Gripps Xtreme | Double-stitched flagship with U-shaped carpal-area support and quick release. | $109.99 |
| Versa Gripps Classic | 5.75-inch grip with padded strap for lighter to moderate lifting. | $49.99 |
| Versa Wrapps | Wrist wraps in 12- and 18-inch lengths for pressing support. | from $27.99 |
| VG Hyperbelt | Weightlifting belt from the same Maine-based brand. | $89.99 |
Prices as listed on the brand's site at the time of our research and may change. Check the store for current pricing.
Versa Gripps FAQs
Are Versa Gripps better than lifting straps?
They are faster to put on and release, and the palm piece needs no wrapping. Traditional straps are cheaper and some lifters prefer their feel; Versa Gripps suit people who value speed and convenience between sets.
How do I choose a Versa Gripps size?
Measure your wrist circumference: XS 5–6 inches, S 6–7, Regular/Large 7–8 and XL 8 and up. If you are between sizes, size up.
Where are Versa Gripps made?
Versa Gripps are made in the USA, sewn at the company's facility in Maine.
Can I wash my Versa Gripps?
The warranty excludes damage from washing or water immersion, so wipe them clean instead and let them air dry.
Which Versa Gripps model should I buy?
The Pro suits most lifters. Choose the Classic for lighter training on a budget, and the Xtreme if you lift heavy often and want extra wrist support.
Lifters whose grip gives out before their back or lats on pulls and rows
Disclosure: InhouseHeal may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. Our score is based on research of the brand's products, evidence, pricing and policies. How we review.
