In today's world of Powerlifting, Weightlifting, CrossFit, etc. there are numerous types of accessories to buy and use. From Olympic Lifting shoes, wrist wraps, knee supports, back supports to name a few. These are some of the most common types of CrossFit, Olympic Lifting and power lifting gear you will find today's athletes using. One of the most commonly misunderstood and used accessories are the infamous wrist supports. The primary purpose of the wrist wraps is to support you when lifting weights that are greater than 50% of your one rep max. If the weight is too heavy, there is a chance for a sprain/strain injury. Some of you are maybe asking what the difference between a sprain and a strain injury, glad you asked is.
- A sprain injury is a stretch and/or tear of a ligament, the fibrous band of connective tissue that joins the end of one bone with another. Ligaments stabilize and support the body's joints. For example, ligaments in the knee connect the upper leg with the lower leg, enabling people to walk and run.
- A strain is an injury of a muscle and/or tendon. Tendons are fibrous cords of tissue that attach muscles to bone.
When performing bench press or Olympic lifts which include a snatch, clean & jerk, push press, etc. the wrists are stressed into what we call the extension position (See fig A.). Under extreme heavy loads, an athletes form can be compromised which could result in a wrist injury or not completing the lift. Many athletes in CrossFit wear wrist wraps but understanding how to use them correctly is important.
1. Do I Wear My Wrist Wraps All The Time?
No, I look at wrist supports like I do a back support. If you wear them all the time, you can develop weaknesses in your wrist flexor and extensor muscles. These muscles are what allow your wrist to bend forward (flexion) and backwards (extension). Look at some of the strongest athletes performing olympic lifts, are they wearing wrist wraps even at those extreme loads? No, they are not! It is good to have them but it is not necessary to wear them all the time. My opinion is a simple rule, anything less than 50% of your 1 rep max, I would advise that you don't use them. They are recommended to be used when you are training at or near your 1 RPM.
2. How Do I Position My Wrist Wraps?
The main goal of the wrist wraps are to provide wrist support so it is imperative to put them on correctly. I recommend using the "wrist crease" as a guide when putting them on. If the wraps are positioned below the "wrist crease" then you essentially have a pretty wrist bracelet. They should be near the "wrist crease" which will provide you support and help prevent excessive wrist extension.
3. What Wrist Wrap Do I Choose?
There are all kinds of wrist supports in the market and choosing the right one will be depend upon the type of movement you are trying to achieve. The are 2 types of wrist wraps we will be talking about.
The TuffWraps Wrist Wraps are designed to be used for movements like snatches, clean & jerks, push press and thrusters which gives your wrist the range of motion needed. In the aforementioned movements your wrists must be able to go into the extension position when completing those movements.
The Villain Wrist Wraps are geared more for the powerlifting, strongman training, bench press and any max type of movements. They limit your wrist movements and with those types of exercises, wrist extension is not warranted.
4. Do I Need To Wear Wrist Wraps When Doing Gymnastic Movements?
No, I really never understood why people who do pullups, pushups or even hand stand pushup use wraps. The wrist is not stressed or put into a compromised position where it will be injured when doing gymnastic movements. If the wrist is hurting during these types of movements, then I would suggest stop and see a local sports chiropractor/doctor to evaluate and treat the problem. There is always an exception to the rule. Some people wear wrist wraps when a WOD has movements that intermix gymnastic and olympic movements. This is because it is a nuisance to put them on or take them off when going from one movement to the next.
5. Can I Wear My Wrist Wraps If I Have Mobility & Flexibility Issue?
Absolutely not, and the first thing is to work on improving your mobility and flexibility. There could be a mobility issue in different areas other than the wrist that may be contributing to your problem. If you suspect a mobility and/or flexibility problem talk to your coach at your gym and he or she should be able to see where your problem exist. They should be able to provide you with some mobility exercises and/or stretches to work on. If you do not go to a CrossFit gym, you can always go to MobilityWOD.com which is owned by Kelley Starrett. He is a Physical Therapist that has easy to understand videos about mobility and flexibility. You can also visit TheWodDoc for videos as well.
6. Are Tuffwraps Washable?
Yes, TuffWraps Wrist wraps & Villain Wrist Wraps are washable and we recommend washing them often. Just wash them in the sink and let them air dry.
One thing to keep in mind is that a gym is typically going to be dirty even though the floors and equipment may be cleaned daily. Add in your sweat and now you have the perfect storm for bacteria to grow. The wraps are a poly/cotton fabric and will absorb your sweat so it is important to take care of them. So please, wash your wraps!
7. Where Can I Buy Wrist Wraps?
Please visit our store to see what is available.
Villain Wrist Wraps - Velcro Style Wrist Wraps - Great for Powlerlifting, Weightlifting and Strongman Training.
TuffWraps Wrist Wraps - Cloth Stlye Wrist Wraps - Great for CrossFit and Olympic Lifting.
We are constantly coming up with new designs but we will never sacrifice performance for looks. Our goal is to make a strong supportive wrist wraps that allows you to perform those heavy movements.
8. (Bonus Question) What's the Difference Between Lifting Straps and Wrist Wraps?
There are several differences between lifting straps and wrist wraps when it comes to the features, material used, and sizing. However, the main difference is in the functionality.
Feiao Medical Devices are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.
Are you overwhelmed with the amount of wrist support options out there? Between powerlifting, bodybuilding, CrossFit, gymnastics, and weightlifting there seems to be an endless amount of lifting accessories.
Some of the most popular supportive gear choices for any type of fitness include lifting straps, lever belts, strength (CrossFit) straps, and wrist wraps.
Wrist wraps are fairly straightforward but are one of the most asked about pieces of gear. Wrist wraps can be confusing to put on (especially for novice lifters) but are a big help when it comes to wrist support and building strength.
They are particularly helpful during heavy or maximum effort (greater than 50 percent of your one maximum repetition) pressing and overhead workouts.
Although wrist wraps are made to help with stability and support, they should not be used as a crutch or as a brace to help with sprained or injured wrists. For example, strength wrist wraps are popular in CrossFit with moves like clean and jerk, but under heavy loads, the wrist can be stressed causing hypertension and injury.
Aside from risk-related questions, there are a few other key questions people ask about regarding wrist wraps. Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to wrist wraps.
You’ve probably seen people wearing all sorts of gear at the gym, whether it seems to help or not. For example, you wouldn’t wear a lifting belt during an arm day, would you?
The same concept applies to wrist wraps. You should only wear wrist wraps in movements that require support on at least 50% of your one-rep maximum (basically your heaviest reps). Wrist wraps offer great support, but if overused they can create dependency and weaknesses in your wrist joints.
Using wrist wraps properly is very important if you want proper support. No matter the type of wrist wrap, whether it’s for powerlifting or CrossFit, where you position the wrap matters.
Aligning the wrist wrap material slightly above the wrist crease will help provide proper stability while preventing unnecessary wrist extension.
For a quick overview on how to put on and use weightlifting wrist wraps, check out the clip below. You'll find that wearing wrist wraps properly gives you optimal support during heavy lifting and pushing movements.
This question has several possible answers depending on the type of training you do. As you know, there are a few different types of wrist wraps with varying levels of support.
For example, bodybuilders and powerlifters use supportive wrist wraps for bench press and pushing movements. The high-grade durable material makes them the most common type of wrist wrap.
The strength wrist wraps are ideal for CrossFit and used in moves like the snatch, clean and jerk, and thrusters because they provide the wrist with a better range of motion. These wrist wraps are preferred because they allow the wrist to be flexible enough to complete such complex moves, without being too bulky.
If your WOD is particularly involved and has a mix of movements that require support, then yes you should wear strength wrist wraps. They can be easily adjusted or removed as you transition from one movement to another.
However, if your mission is to strengthen your wrist joints and you’re performing moves like pull ups, pushups, or handstands, then you might not benefit from wearing strength wrist wraps.
The reason that strength wrist wraps aren’t necessary with those movements is that you aren’t compromising the wrist joints, unlike with gymnastic movements. If you do experience pain with those movements, then it might be a sign of bigger problems.
Alternatives include skipping the move and wearing a brace, or consulting with a doctor for the correct treatment. It’s very important to note that any type of wrist wrap is not meant to fix specific mobility or flexibility issues.
Buy Premium Wrist Wraps
The number of people that don’t wash their gear is overwhelming. Hard workouts (in general) produce sweat and the gym is one of the most attractive places for bacteria to grow. Although equipment and flooring may be cleaned, the sweat absorbed by your wrist wraps can accumulate and start to smell over time.
That’s why we highly recommend washing your wrist wraps as often as you need to. The quality material of the wrist wraps won’t be compromised if you hand wash them with a soap/detergent solution and let them air dry.
Before you buy wrist wraps, you should always evaluate the quality and longevity of them. How do you know if the wrist wraps you want are worth it?
Take a look at the reviews of past purchasers, review the product specifications and size dimensions, and check them out in action via social media. Durable wrist wraps will be talked about anywhere you look and are often used by world-class athletes, trainers, fitness professionals, and Olympians.
For anyone interested in buying premium wrist wraps with strong stitching, construction, and material Gymreapers offers various wrist wraps in many colors.
Want more information on Fitness Wrist Brace Wrap? Feel free to contact us.