The industry has a myriad of accessories to assist exercise enthusiasts to achieve the best results.
For one, proper weightlifting calls for hard work, consistency and application of the principles of lifting - correct body posture, right application of gym techniques and the useful support to attain maximum power.
To help us achieve all these without much unnecessary strain and stress, we have belts, gym shoes, knee sleeves and the most popular yet highly misrepresented: wrist wraps.
Wrist wraps are designed to support the wrist joints while making heavy and overhead and bench press lifts. The wrist needs the support to generate more power and lessen the risk of injury via hyper-extension.
This makes wrist wraps a must-have for athletes and if you’re still in doubt, here are the reasons you need to use wrist wraps.
Cast Like Support And Max Power Output
Wrist Wraps ensure your wrists have a cast-like support, allowing you to direct the force directly to the bar without instablity. If you are lifting to better your pushing movements then you need a pair of lifting wraps.
Extra Reps And More Weight
With wraps, you have added support to make extra reps and handle more weight than usual. They are essential for overloading on big heavy sets.
Wraps reduce neurological stress that come with heavy lifts
Wraps play a significant role in reducing neurological stress during heavy snatches, pulls and deadlifts.
They can prove useful in relieving excessive stressors, allowing your CNS (Central Nervous System) to take less of a hit. In addition, wraps ease tension and stress on the wrists even when a lot of power or force is required.
Permits Heavy Lifting Even With Niggles
You may suffer slight impingement or pain when pressing (overhead, or bench pressing). Especially when using dumbbells, which require additional stabilizing muscles to perform the movement.
Wrist wraps aren't a cure to an ailment or serious injury, but they can certainly help train through niggles and minor setbacks, as well as help those post rehabilitation from an injury or ailment. It is always best to seek professional medical advice for your particular situation, however!
Reminders when using wrist wraps
Warm-Up Before Wearing Wraps
As much as we may always insist on the use of wraps, you really don’t need them to manage small loads or volumes when lifting and pressing. Wrist wraps excel when using them for bigger volumes where muscle will fatigue or bigger weights with lower reps (powerlifting or strongman training)
Use the Right Wrap for you
What do you intend to achieve; ultimate brute support for power-lifting or just some additional support for your workout regimen? We have wraps to suit all types of lifting and training.
Wraps can vary in length and denier (thickness and stretch factor. Ours start at 12" (30cm) and go all the way to a whopping 36" (91cm)
"Heavy" wrist wraps in 12" or 18" are fantastic all-rounders. They are suitable for bodybuilding type workouts as well as super useful on a low-bar back squat when your wrist is put under duress. They are the "go-to" wrap. The 12" and 18" are also suitable for females mostly due to the fact that women tend to have smaller wrists than men, and find these much more manageable and comfortable to lift in.
The Super Heavy 24" (60cm) (and above) start to get a little more serious. If you've had wrist wraps before and have been lifting for a few years, it might be worthwhile investing straight up in a pair of 24" Super Heavy's. They are still suitable for bodybuilding type work, but have added length and a tighter denier for a more brutal cast-like support. Our of all our wraps, these are probably the most popular.
Brutal & Juggernaut (36" or 91cm) are for more experienced lifters who need the added stiffness and revolutions that come with a bigger wrap. It is not uncommon for serious gym-goers to own two pairs of wraps, one that suits your general purpose lifting, and a stiffer set for heavier load days.
You Don’t Need Wrist Wraps For All Gym Activities
Some bodyweight routines like push-ups, pull-ups and handstands can be comfortably done without wearing wraps. Unless you are preparing for a gymnastics competition e.g. the pommel horse or the vault, there’s no reason to use wraps for all your sessions.
The bottom line is; you need a pair of wraps for heavy regular gym activity, but not so much for basic lightweight exercises or very entry level workouts.
Don’t Use Wraps To Cover Flexibility and Mobility problems
We have seen trainees who use wrist pain as their excuse for having wraps on all the time, especially when working on front squats or trying to assume the perfect position for a clean.
On the contrary, in most cases this discomfort comes as a result of poor mobility and flexibility of the upper body.
These include issues like poor wrist flexibility and limited shoulder flexion.
So the idea that “Wrist wraps make your wrists more flexible” is misguided. Always consult your local trainer to help you with any of the issues mentioned above. Improving your wrist mobility and strength is one good way to get started.
Be Sure To Wear Wrist Wraps In The Right Position - Not Too Low.
Just like their name suggests wrist wraps are designed to help support your wrist joints during heavy gym activity, so to get the most desirable results, you must practice tying your wraps in the right position.
Otherwise, the wrist wrap won’t work and become more or like forearm bracelets (which don’t provide the needed support).
Also, ensure you wrap so that the whole wrist joint is covered enough to enhance support and reduce possible excessive extension of the wrist.
Insignificant as they may look, wraps undoubtedly improve your performance when you exercise. If you’re still unsure on how to use them, best to consult a fitness coach or one of the team here at Iron Tanks.
If you're after for the best gym, bodybuilding and fitness wrist wraps and wear you have come to the right place. Forged for longevity, our gym gear is built iron tough. Buy gym wear at Iron Tanks!