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Wrist wraps vs wrist straps is a strange debate within the lifting communities, as both accessories are designed to help with different aspects of your training. In this article, we will discuss when to use wrist wraps and straps, what they do and how both can be useful, depending on your training program.<br><br>
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Wrist wraps vs wrist straps is a strange debate within the lifting communities, as both accessories are designed to help with different aspects of your training. In this article, we will discuss when to use wrist wraps and straps, what they do and how both can be useful, depending on your training program.
What Are Wrist Wraps? Wrist wraps are typically used by weightlifters, Olympic athletes, and Strongmen who frequently train with heavy weight. Their main function is to support and stabilize the wrist joints so that the chance of injuries is reduced. Using wrist wraps for weightlifting is a must as they are an accessory that stabilizes the wrist and forearm and helps the hand remain stable, even when lifting a lot of weight.
When and Why Do You Need Wrist Wraps? The main function of wrist wraps is to stabilize the wrist and help prevent possible injuries when lifting heavy weights. Knowing this, we can safely conclude that wrist wraps should be worn only on heavy lifting days when you’re performing pressing exercises such as snatch, jerk, overhead or bench press. A good tip is to use wrist wraps only when you’re going above 80% of your one-rep max or when you’re going through a whole session that requires you to lift close to your maximum constantly.
Pros and Cons of Wrist Wraps for Lifting Now that you have your answer to the question “what do wrist wraps do?” and what they are, let’s check out the pros and cons of using them in training. • Pros: • Help to stabilize the wrist joint. • Prevent injuries. • Give additional support to the forearm and the wrist. • Long-lasting – one quality pair can be used for many years.
Cons: • Can lead to instability in the wrist if you over-use them, as your wrist becomes reliant on the additional support. • If you don’t wear them correctly, they can lead to injuries. • Not all of them are made equal and so choosing the correct type is key, as cotton ones feel lighter on the wrist, but velcro ones are the kind of wrist wraps you need for heavy lifting.
What are Wrist Straps? Wrist straps are lifting accessories looped around the wrist and then wrapped around the bar with the sole purpose of creating a “hook-like” grip for the lifter. The main idea of weightlifting wrist straps is to help the lifter grip more weight. Typically, they are used by athletes who have been training for a long time and can now lift more weight than their grip allows. That’s where wrist straps come in handy, as they allow lifters to continue working on their strength, even when their grip fails them.
When and Why Do You Need Wrist Straps? Most weightlifters use wrist straps whenever they want to train heavy, typically close to their maximum. Often, in such situations, grip strength can become an issue, as experienced lifters can lift heavier weights than their grip allows them to. In gyms, you will rarely see someone doing a heavy deadlift without using straps, and there’s a good reason for that – wrist straps eliminate the demand for grip strength and help lock the wrist to the bar. In addition, they eliminate the possibility of grip failure and enable lifters to do more reps.
