APT Pro Wrist Straps = awesome company

[Jamie T]

Hey Gang

Everyone is quick to complain and be critical, so here's credit where it is due.. Alan P Thomas from APT Pro wrist straps is a cool dude and they have awesome customer service.. Six weeks ago I ordered a set of # 2,3,4 and 5 bands.. got them in two weeks at a cost of about 150.00 USD.. the number fours were off.. one being 1 and 3/4 inches longer that the other folded.. I sent this email to Alan a week ago..



Hey Alan

I ordered a set of the weight lifting bands# 2,3,4 and 5. received them 4 weeks ago and am pretty happy althougt I have a problem,. I finally went to use the green #4's this week and struggled with balance etc. I took them down and measured them folded. One band was 1 & 7/8 inches longer folded that the other.. so either one was made to long or 4 sets of use has streched it out..

Would you please send me a new set of green bands. I can send you the old set back . Please let me know asap what you would liike me to do.. thanks..

Jamie Templeman



I didn't get a reply.. all I got was a USPS confirmation that my new bands are on the way.. AWESOME

A great company and I recommend anyone to buy from them

Cheers

Jamie

[Jesse Marunde]

awesome dude! I nearly did I cartwheel when my APT wraps snapped. They were brand new. Gave a different pare a try and snapped those too. I've seen four other pairs snap in competition on other guys. Sounds like bands are the product to order from them! I'm sticking with ironmind.com straps myself. you'll notice all the best pro's using them too.

[DaneGarreau]

Yours snapped??

I have had my APT straps for 3 years now. They have stood up to numerous 500 pound deadlifts, 900 rack pulls and everything in between. They are still in perfect condition.

Personally I wouldn't ever wear a different brand; the APT are just too comfortable.

[Daniel Leib]

Yours snapped??

I have had my APT straps for 3 years now. They have stood up to numerous 500 pound deadlifts, 900 rack pulls and everything in between. They are still in perfect condition.

Personally I wouldn't ever wear a different brand; the APT are just too comfortable.

Same way for me. Where did they fail for you Jesse?

[Jesse Marunde]

Same way for me. Where did they fail for you Jesse?

right smack in the middle of the strap.


Dane, you're not training heavy enough! haha I'm just teasing.

[Matt Schumann]

i just snapped my 100th pair of straps the other day, i was considering getting the iron mind straps because i heard really good things about them.. What should i get the iron mind straps or the other ones you guys are talking about? IS there a liink?

thanks

[Kyle]

Ironmind Straps:

http://www6.mailordercentral.com/ironmind/prodinfo.asp?number=1239


APT Straps:

http://www.prowriststraps.com/lifting_straps

[srojv]

I would guess Jesse is lifting a little more weight than most of us here.

[Dave Bourgeois]

who needs staps, real men dont use straps...j/k..lol

[Ryan Rhodes]

I've got kevlar bound cotton/nylon/cotton 3 layer straps 24" long APT straps. Alan custom made them for me for $20 over three years ago. 800-900 lb. barbell shrugs twice a week etc. since and my straps are still in excellent shape and worlds more comfortable than the Ironmind straps. Those were like lifting with an 1.5" wide car seatbelt. Uncomfortable and slick with little grip on the bar. I've referred many friends to APT for lifting straps. None of their straps have broken either. I imagine that anybody's straight up cotton strap would break under any moderately heavy load. This has to be the kind of strap Jesse was using. Single ply Poly/nylon strap webbing both have ratings way over 1000 lbs. and I doubt that any strongman is lifting anything in that range. Both Ironmind and APT use polypropolene for their straps. It's very strong, but also slick and uncomfortable by itself. APT also uses cotton, nylon, and leather either solo or combined depending on what your preference is. Cotton is grippy and more comfortable, but also tears easily. Nylon is stronger and has decent grip, but is also stiff and more uncomfortable. Combine them and you get a well balanced. high performance strap. APT is a company built by making high performance lifting straps. Ironminds strap is $9; definitely less expensive than Alan's straps, but in this case, an ironic twist to what I usually hear about Ironmind gear, you get what you pay for.

Here are some pics of my straps after 3 years of abuse. If they go another 3, I won't be surprised.

[Jesse Marunde]

I've seen those and I bet they are amazingly strong. they are much too thick to be practical however. ironmind straps are very thin which makes them perfect for snatching and hang power cleans. a thick strap can quickly cause hand and wrist pain...

[Dan Harrison]

APT straps are the ones that broke on Steve MacDonald on his 2nd deadlift rep, keeping him out of the IFSA finals. He told me, "Don't use them on any heavy lifts and especially not in a show!" I am buying some Ironmind straps ASAP. They hurt like heck, but I suggest wearing some wrist wraps to protect my wrists from satanic pain so I can concentrate on the LIFT.

[Ryan Rhodes]

they are much too thick to be practical however. ironmind straps are very thin which makes them perfect for snatching and hang power cleans.

I don't snatch, but I use them for cleans every week and they do work great. The thickness actually gives a little extra support to my wrists. The ironmind straps are about half as thick, but I think that translates to more problems than benefits. To each their own.

Dan-

A wrist sweat band works a lot better than wrist wraps with the ironmind straps. The ironmind straps are a little short, more so if you have large wrists; the bands let more of the strap go to use on the bar while still protecting your wrist. They also reduce the effect of choking off of the blood supply to your hands. Also, the ironmind straps (or any plain polypro or nylon strap) are pretty slick compared to normal cotton straps. I noticed that if I chalked the strap on both sides before my lift, it adds a lot of extra grip and almost eliminated the loosening of the strap.

[Ryan Rhodes]

a thick strap can quickly cause hand and wrist pain...

Now you're just messing with me. Those thin Ironmind straps are hellacious on wrists and hands. Lifting with them is like getting a rug burned choke out. I'd get done with those straps and people would look at my wrists like I'd either just been arrested or my wife and I were getting freaky.

Give me a thick strap anyday.

[Dan Harrison]

Thanks Ryan, I know what you're talking abou twith those sweat bands. I'll get some. I remember seeing a pic of Ken Brown doing his silver dollar DL WR and he used IM straps, but also had sweat bands underneath the straps so his skin didnt rip off.

[ScottDowney]

I must admit, Alan Thomas offered myself and some other guys in the Uk sponsorship in the form of our own webpage and some goodies too.

The guy took care of me well and although I am no longer an active part of the sport I will always sing his praises and his equipment!

I bought the Hell on the Hill straps and while I dont think Ive pulled weights anywhere near some of the numbers on here, they have always stood upto the punishment I have given them and the punshiment my friends have given them!

I must remember to send the man an email showing my appreciation for his support!

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

John was using APT wristwraps on this deadlift(lock out)....having said that most of the guys at the gym use Iron Mind straps...and a kid--here at the gym-- took this same bar up to 1675+ for a "lock out"using the IM straps.

However,the APT straps that are strong enough...seem to be too thick.

[D.Norris]

I think APT is a great company - but I have seen 2 sets(on diffrent occasions) of apt straps break at strongman comps - Iv never seen a Ironmind strap break but they are hellish around the wrist on big weights!

[Ryan Wells]

This is good info to know. Good thread.

[Phillip Stevens]

Had a set snap HARD on me as well. Only had a few weeks work on them.

[Joshua Davis]

I have never gotten "rug burn" from my IM straps, of course I chalk my wrists up prior to putting them on, and they are still new enough that they have some slickness to them.

But hey, if I wanted comfort while deadlifting, I WOULDN'T DEADLIFT.

I am a believer in my IM straps.

[Corey DuCharme]

I'm a skinny guy, with skinny wrists, who lifts skinny man weights, but I wanted to throw in my support for IM straps. Had them for two years now and I love them. They're just getting broken in!

[Jason Cullen]

Ihave both and i really like my ironmind straps , the only problem is that they are still slick and tend to slip on heavy deads or barell shrugs. any way to get rid of the slickness or does that come just with time.

thanks
jason

[Ryan Rhodes]

Chalk them up; both sides.

[Corey DuCharme]

Ihave both and i really like my ironmind straps , the only problem is that they are still slick and tend to slip on heavy deads or barell shrugs. any way to get rid of the slickness or does that come just with time.

thanks
jason


The chalk will help tons. Over time they get broken in by the knurlings and you probably won't need to chalk them.

[Matt Seymour]

Best way to avoid your straps breaking is to NOT use them. Use a hook grip instead. Hella-painful, but better than any strap and if it snaps you lose your thumb (more motivation to grip harder).

[AaRoNSnider]

Gee..for as much bashing as people do when someone posts a pic or video with them using straps,alot of people sure do seem to use them....lol :T: I have the hell on the hill straps,and I think I had extra material sewed on them to make them stronger(??).,so theyve always held up great,but they are pretty thick.Right now Im using an old pair from Samson Power which have held up great.I feel like more of a pansy now,knowing that Ive never had a strap break

[Mike Stewart]

I have the IM straps and I love them. They are guaranteed for life so I thought why not. As far as ATP, I have their knee wraps and I like those as well. Their service is good also.