Exercises with Wrist Wraps?

Training Bodybuilding
21

[quote]BONEZ217 wrote:
Stronghold wrote:
BONEZ217 wrote:

I really don’t think you know what you are talking about. You’re kidding with the “small wrists get hurt more easily” line, right?

You are making too big a deal out of how and when to use lifting gear. Sleeves, wraps and straps have their place but are not mandatory pieces of equipment.

Use them if you have wrist pain, assuming the wrap directly helps in alleviating the pain by allowing your wrist to heal. If you don’t have pain there is no reason to use them. Your grip strength will improve as you get stronger which will allow you to keep your wrists neutral, thus avoiding an injury that would require wraps.

You know, you’re one of the more respected posters here, imo, but after reading this post, I think YOU are the one who doesn’t know what they are talking about.

Wrist wraps increase the area of your wrist. There is a marked difference in one’s ability to hold a bar in the proper position when your wrist is as wide (from the side) as the bar as compared to a much larger wrist. Wearing wraps helps a lifter keep the bar in the correct position ABOVE rather than BEHIND the wrist. Ever seen someone break their arm benching when a weight gets behind their wrists? I have.

I know a guy who can hold onto 900+ lbs for full range deadlifts who wraps his wrists to bench. Of course, I guess that means he just has lagging grip strength, right?

You’re talking about someone benching singles and I’m not. I have a feeling the guy you are talking about is benching 500+ pounds. I don’t think the OP is. I think that the amount of weight is a relevant piece of information.

I do not think that wrist wraps are a necessary tool for a bodybuilder, save for the heaviest sets where wrist fatigue may put the lifter in a compromising position. If someone is benching 185 pounds and they can’t keep the bar above their wrists my recommendation would not be to add wrist wraps. I have no problem admitting that I know much less about powerlifting than you do, but since this is the bodybuilding forum I am going to have to stand by my advice. IMO the OP sounds like he is looking for reasons to wear all of this shit rather than having a reason and searching for a remedy.

For the record, I dislocated my wrist playing baseball a long time ago and use wraps when I need to. Usually just on machine dips and close grip pressing[/quote]

I don’t ever recall saying they are necessary. I don’t wanna hurt my wrists, so I bought wrist wraps. Pretty simple.

22

[quote]BONEZ217 wrote:

For the record, I dislocated my wrist playing baseball a long time ago and use wraps when I need to. Usually just on machine dips and close grip pressing[/quote]

I agree with this in using them for an injury sustained in the past/present. My friend used them for his broken hand punching some kid improperly. Now I’ve never seen him use them, maybe time to time when he hurts it again fighting…

[quote]donovanbrambila wrote:
…I don’t wanna hurt my wrists, so I bought wrist wraps. Pretty simple.
[/quote]

…however, using them because you “don’t”, more like scared to hurt your wrists is pretty out there. This may or may not be true but can they not actually make your wrists weaker? How big are your wrists? Do wrist curls and you won’t have the feeling of hurting your wrists.

23

My wrists are not even 6 and a half inches around. Pretty small. I’ve also broken both of them twice. Now, they don’t hurt when I lift (on any lift) but I’d love to keep it that way. Which is why I asked what lifts folks use them on. If my wrists were hurting, I would obviously know when to use them.

24

[quote]donovanbrambila wrote:
My wrists are not even 6 and a half inches around. Pretty small. I’ve also broken both of them twice. Now, they don’t hurt when I lift (on any lift) but I’d love to keep it that way. Which is why I asked what lifts folks use them on. If my wrists were hurting, I would obviously know when to use them.[/quote]

This would have been excellent info at the start of the thread.

25

[quote]frankjl wrote:
donovanbrambila wrote:
My wrists are not even 6 and a half inches around. Pretty small. I’ve also broken both of them twice. Now, they don’t hurt when I lift (on any lift) but I’d love to keep it that way. Which is why I asked what lifts folks use them on. If my wrists were hurting, I would obviously know when to use them.

This would have been excellent info at the start of the thread.[/quote]
I can see your point, but the question was not “hey, should I use/ do I need wrist wraps?” It was what exercises do people use them on?

26

[quote]donovanbrambila wrote:
It was what exercises do people use them on?
[/quote]

So far I’ve seen the answer being for exercises that causes your wrists to hurt?

27

[quote]Fuzzyapple wrote:

…however, using them because you “don’t”, more like scared to hurt your wrists is pretty out there. This may or may not be true but can they not actually make your wrists weaker? How big are your wrists? Do wrist curls and you won’t have the feeling of hurting your wrists. [/quote]

Wrist curls? Really?

How many people do you know who can wrist curl what they can bench effortlessly enough to be able to do it in the middle of a rep when the bar drifts behind their small wrists? Did you think about what you were saying when you typed this post out?

Using wrist wraps does not make your wrists weaker. This has been addressed already in this thread. People are able to press more weight with wraps on because it allows them to maintain a proper bar path rather than letting the bar drift back. The bar drifts back because of structural limitations, not muscular or strength limitations.

28

Bench and overhead presses sometimes. If you put them on right, you shouldn’t be able to feel your fingers after a while.

29

i use them on pressing movements where i go 85%+ of my max or on days where my wrists just feel shaky.

they can be a crutch if you use them for every set but if you feel shaky on the heavy stuff it can only help because it can give you the confidence to push the weight knowing you have the support.

30

Forgot to mention this. I only use them if my wrists are feeling funky and I’m doing a heavy triple or single. I have had some overuse injuries and sprains in the past from football and boxing, so it’s just for piece of mind on super heavy sets.

31

[quote]Stronghold wrote:
Wrist curls? Really?

How many people do you know who can wrist curl what they can bench effortlessly enough to be able to do it in the middle of a rep when the bar drifts behind their small wrists?

[/quote]
Well this information would have been better first before I posted as stated before…

[quote]donovanbrambila wrote:
My wrists are not even 6 and a half inches around. Pretty small. I’ve also broken both of them twice. Now, they don’t hurt when I lift (on any lift) but I’d love to keep it that way.[/quote]

What I meant by wrist curls was to build up the tendons and strength in them for them not to hurt. When I first started out when I first did wrist curl it literally felt like my wrist was going to break. Thus, I recommended him/her to do wrist curls to build the tendon strength/structural strength in them. Not to simply build up forearm strength to be able to “wrist curl what they can bench effortlessly enough to be able to do it in the middle of a rep when the bar drifts behind their small wrists”.

Where did I say do wrist curls so you can curl the bar back? [quote]Do wrist curls and you won’t have the feeling of hurting your wrists.[/quote]

Did you think about what you were saying when you typed this post out?

32

[quote]Fuzzyapple wrote:
Stronghold wrote:
Wrist curls? Really?

How many people do you know who can wrist curl what they can bench effortlessly enough to be able to do it in the middle of a rep when the bar drifts behind their small wrists?

Well this information would have been better first before I posted as stated before…
donovanbrambila wrote:
My wrists are not even 6 and a half inches around. Pretty small. I’ve also broken both of them twice. Now, they don’t hurt when I lift (on any lift) but I’d love to keep it that way.

What I meant by wrist curls was to build up the tendons and strength in them for them not to hurt. When I first started out when I first did wrist curl it literally felt like my wrist was going to break. Thus, I recommended him/her to do wrist curls to build the tendon strength/structural strength in them. Not to simply build up forearm strength to be able to “wrist curl what they can bench effortlessly enough to be able to do it in the middle of a rep when the bar drifts behind their small wrists”.

Where did I say do wrist curls so you can curl the bar back? Do wrist curls and you won’t have the feeling of hurting your wrists.

Did you think about what you were saying when you typed this post out?

[/quote]

Yes, but you apparently aren’t reading OR thinking here.

Wrist wraps help keep the wrist and the bar properly aligned. If the bar drifts back behind the plane of the forearm, causing the hand to sit at a 90 degree angle to the forearm, it will cause the bar bath to resemble more of an extension than a press (this is assuming that you are using any reasonable weight). This is bad for the wrists and elbows and I also know several individuals that have broken their arms when this happens when handling a maximal weight.

The wrist curl comment was in response to the asinine notion that doing wrist curls will make your forearms strong enough to prevent the aforementioned drifting.

33

I’ve been using wrist wraps on my heavy sets for the past year. No I’ve never had any serious wrist injuries. No I don’t powerlift. I’ve only strained my wrist a bit lifting and from doing bmx a few times. I have small wrists, I don’t know if I attribute it to that though. Yet if there’s one thing I’ve learned from powerlifters is take care of your body when possible. Especially when lifting what’s heavy for you! Be it taking 8 reps to utter failure or maxing out singles and triples.

I think it’s the same as straps. I’m sure many of you don’t let your grip strength limit you, so you use straps. Same thing could apply to some peoples wrists.

I just need some elbow sleeves and I think I’ll be fine

34

I know that Eric Cressey suggests the use of wrist wraps for pressing. From his website… “Speaking of bench presses, I got a question the other day about whether I thought that wrist wraps interfere with forearm hypertrophy. I doubt it, if youâ??d just using them to bench and possibly squat. For me, the benefit completely outweighs the cost, as the diameter of my wrists is right about six inches (thatâ??s small, folks). So, for me, the wraps allow me to stay healthy for the long haul - even they donâ??t offer too much in terms of poundage increases. You can find some great wrist wraps at APT.” » Random Friday Thoughts: 7/25/08

35

[quote]Stronghold wrote:
Yes, but you apparently aren’t reading OR thinking here.

Wrist wraps help keep the wrist and the bar properly aligned. If the bar drifts back behind the plane of the forearm, causing the hand to sit at a 90 degree angle to the forearm, it will cause the bar bath to resemble more of an extension than a press (this is assuming that you are using any reasonable weight). This is bad for the wrists and elbows and I also know several individuals that have broken their arms when this happens when handling a maximal weight.

The wrist curl comment was in response to the asinine notion that doing wrist curls will make your forearms strong enough to prevent the aforementioned drifting.[/quote]

Okay, well thank you for the explanation and correcting me. I am being sincere.

36

[quote]BlueCollarTr8n wrote:
donovanbrambila wrote:
I don’t know why I would wait for an injury to try to prevent one. Same reason why I wear neoprene elbow sleeves. I have small wrists. Small wrists get hurt more easily.

I agree with the not waiting for a problem; try to prevent it. If your in it for the long run, aches & pains are part of the journey. As far as belts, wraps, straps, braces, etc. becoming a crutch…I view them as tools. That being said, many lifters over use them.

[/quote]

I use my wrist wraps for anything i need to keep them locked in place for, from pressing movements to bicep curls. I dont want my wrist to fold in a curl so i use them then as well. Another thing most people dont think about in wrist wrap use is pulling movements. Next time you go to deadlift, use your wrist wraps. make a tight fist and wrap your wrists up tight, then try opening your hand. when the wrist straps are on tight they hold your hand closed for you, therefore increasing your grip. when you are pulling some serious weight, you need all the help you can get.

37

Don’t forget to get a matching purse for your wrist straps!

LOL

JK

38

Gah…this is making me want to pick some up to try them out, I’ve got small wrists and small joints in general. I think eventually in my training career I will have to pick some up because I just can’t see my tiny wrists supporting heavy poundages for reps without some repercussions.

39

[quote]Chi-Towns-Finest wrote:
Don’t forget to get a matching purse for your wrist straps!

LOL

JK[/quote]

I bought them in black…it goes with everything.