Wrist Wraps
Supportive wraps that stabilize the wrist during pressing movements.
Wrist wraps are elastic wraps that support the wrist joint during pressing movements like bench press and overhead press. They help keep the wrist in a neutral position under load, reducing strain. Useful for heavy pressing or if you have wrist issues. Not the same as lifting straps.
Wraps, not straps
Wrist wraps stiffen the wrist joint; lifting straps attach you to the bar. They are constantly confused and do entirely different jobs. A wrap restricts wrist extension so the joint stays stacked under the load, which is what you want when a heavy bar is sitting in your palm on a bench press, an overhead press or a front-rack position and the wrist wants to fold back.
How to use them
Wrap the joint itself, covering the wrist crease, tight enough to limit extension but not so tight that your hand changes colour. Put them on for heavy pressing sets and take them off between sets. Stiffer, shorter powerlifting-style wraps suit maximal bench and overhead work; longer, more flexible wraps suit weightlifting where the wrist still needs to move into a rack position.
Common mistakes
Wearing them high on the forearm, where they support nothing at all. Using them on curls and rows, where the wrist is not the limiting joint and the wrap simply reduces feedback. And leaving them tight for a whole session, which is uncomfortable and pointless — like a belt, they are for the sets that need them.
Examples
- 12-24 inch wrap length
- Wrapped around wrist for support
- Used for heavy pressing
Compound exercises
Put this into practice with exercises from the library.
Prowler Sprint
Cardio · Other
Pull Through
Strength · Cable
Pullups
Strength · Bodyweight
Push-Up Wide
Strength · Bodyweight
Push-Ups - Close Triceps Position
Strength · Bodyweight
Push-Ups With Feet Elevated
Strength · Bodyweight
Push-Ups With Feet On An Exercise Ball
Strength · Exercise Ball
Push Press
Olympic Weightlifting · Barbell