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These genius straps — down to $25 — will spare your back while moving heavy objects

Derek Arbogast

Updated September 30, 2022 at 1:34 PM

As we head back indoors for fall and winter hibernation, out thoughts turn to changes we'd like to make around the house. "Wouldn't that dresser look better over there?" "It's really high time we replaced that dishwasher." "Ugh; this mattress still has my ex's stank on it — it's gotta go!" Great ideas all, but then you realize how heavy these objects are and you're, like, "I don't want to pay someone $50 just to come over here and move that!" Well, have you heard of the Forearm Forklift? No, it's not The Rock's finishing move; it's an ingenious strap system for lifting and carrying the heaviest, clumsiest household objects. Now, when it's time to make a serious move, you can DIY without BYB (breaking your back).

Forearm Forklift

Forearm Forklift 2-Person Lifting and Moving Straps

Strapped for cash? Stop shelling out your hard-earned dough to extortionate moving men and Task Rabbits and strap these on!

$20 at Amazon

The Forearm Forklift consists of two three-inch-wide, nine-feet-long polypropylene straps, each of which includes three arm loops, making for 12 different length combinations so that you and your partner are lifting with maximum efficiency. You position the straps in a criss-cross pattern under your cargo and next thing you know you're schlepping like a Teamster (complete, we presume, with lots of stretching, coffee breaks and indiscreet scratching).

Speaking of organized labor, the Forearm Forklift is accepted by OSHA as an aid toward reducing back injuries. The upshot: You'll save money, the finish on your floors and your vertebrae — what's not to love?

It comes in 14 color schemes, including two varieties of camo, a rainbow Pride motif and, for some reason, the Italian, American and French flags! We, however, find good ol' orange looks extra professional and tells any sidewalk blockers or rubberneckers to Get out of the way — (Wo)Men At Work here!

Man and woman carrying washing machine — Lookee — that lady's lifting half a washing machine! And that guy likes this product so much he had the name printed on his shirt! (Photo: Amazon)

More than 8,000 Amazon shoppers have sung the FF's praises to the tune of five stars. "Won't stop your spouse from being an ass but will make lifting easy," said one shade-throwing sharer. "WHAT A BACK SAVER! Moving during a pandemic was hard enough. These made it easy for just two of us to move all furniture."

Another (maybe) happily married reviewer weighed in thusly: "I have moved seven times in eight years. And only on this last move did I finally convince my husband to buy these and fore-go [sic] movers. Let's just say he still hasn't recovered from the onslaught of 'I told you so.' I'm normal height, weigh 125 lbs. and have no muscles at all. My husband and I moved our couch, washer and dryer, two huge dinning tables, a credenza and a dresser with no extra help."

"I had back surgery about five years ago and am totally useless when it comes to lifting or moving anything," said this mom's "moving" account. "I bought these to attempt to move a dresser with my son, and it was so easy. We...moved a dresser through a space only two inches wider than the dresser. I am absolutely impressed and will praise these to everyone that will listen. Life-changing purchase for sure."

Forearm Forklift

Forearm Forklift 2-Person Lifting and Moving Straps

Who doesn't hate the floppy, awkward, maddening task of carrying a mattress? No one, that's who! Make that headache a thing of the past with the Forearm Forklift.

$20 at Amazon

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.