Should I (and can I) use wrist and knee straps?

The use of straps and knee wraps depends on the rules of the competition in which you are competing. Wrist straps and knee wraps help to increase the mechanical advantage the lifter has and thus allows the lifter to deadlift or squat more weight. Whether or not you can use straps, and the size and length allowed, and knee wraps depends on the meet and federation in which your competing. Using and not using straps and wraps both have draw backs and advantages. The advantages of knee wraps and straps is that they may allow you to lift more weight and potentially decrease your risk of injury. The downside is that by relying on them for increased mechanical advantage you do not strengthen your forearms and the knee joints because materials are doing it for you. Not using them allows your body to naturally strengthen the forearms and knees, but decreases the absolute amount you can lift. Deciding to use them or not becomes a personal decision that only you can answer.