when should you use wrist wraps?

[the People's Champ]

when you dont want to or cant hold on to the bar in a movement, such as bent over rows or wide grip chins? I would like to get some, and although, I am not lifting as heavy as most guys here on this board, I would like to concentrate on the target muscle instead of distributing the stress on to my forearms. feedback?

 

[bigmag]

since you are trying to take your forearms out of the excercses I would invest in some wrist wraps. I would use them any time I didn't want to, or couldn't, hold the weight.

 

[the People's Champ]

thanks for the reply. I have seen someone use wrist wraps during their bench set. what is the purpose of this? it seems a little pointless, although I haven't tried it myself, but does it also help out during bench pressing? I always thought that wrist wraps were used mainly for pulling movements i.e. rows, chins, etc...

 

[Imnotdutch]

Do you mean wrist straps or wraps??

This is a wrap: http://www.monstermuscle.com/wraps.html

This is a strap: http://www.weights.com/wrist.html

Straps can be used to support your grip in deadlifts, rows etc.....personally I think that they, along with belts, are overused. If you are going to use them I suggest that you only use them on your very heavy sets. For your lighter sets just go with your own grip......this is because despite what alot of people think, isolating your forearms doesnt really make up for the stimulation you are avoiding by using the straps. You might consider trying chalk as an alternative.

Wrist wraps wont do much for you on your deadlift, rows etc.....that isnt what they are designed for.

If you saw somebody using straps during a bench set.....that person is a moron!! If you truly mean wrist wraps, they can be used to support the wrist when using heavy weight.....but I dont think you need them unless you are putting up 150kg or more (my 2c!).

when you dont want to or cant hold on to the bar in a movement, such as bent over rows or wide grip chins? I would like to get some, and although, I am not lifting as heavy as most guys here on this board, I would like to concentrate on the target muscle instead of distributing the stress on to my forearms. feedback?

 

[tripleV]

ok i used my wrist straps for almost everything that requires a bar or dbell for 2 reasons.

For help on grip and also b/c my hands hurt too much without them. My palms etc. hurt too much for things like bench without my straps.

Oh well, i guess i'm a moron..... I see some people use sponges on bench etc. I think I use my straps for the same sort of thing also. To protect my palms and also to help grip.

 

[Imnotdutch]

That doesnt make you a moron......!! You're protecting your hands. If thats your prime concern maybe get some gloves.

The way I look at it, if you use straps now to help your grip, you will always have to use em because your grip wont progress as much as the rest of you. If you dont use them, your grip will soon get used to it and will keep up with the rest of your muscles. Alot of people here dont agree with me tohugh

ok i used my wrist straps for almost everything that requires a bar or dbell for 2 reasons.

For help on grip and also b/c my hands hurt too much without them. My palms etc. hurt too much for things like bench without my straps.

Oh well, i guess i'm a moron..... I see some people use sponges on bench etc. I think I use my straps for the same sort of thing also. To protect my palms and also to help grip.

 

[tripleV]

how can i improve my grip? if i take my straps off i won't be able to do shrugs or dlifts with my present weight!

i think i've always had weak grip....any diff if you are a girl?

and i've tried gloves, maybe they weren't any good, but they "pinched" my palm and it hurt even more...

 

[Imnotdutch]

Ok lets see.....

If you have a weak grip you can either work around it (use straps) or strengthen it. To strengthen it, you might start out by only using the straps on your heaviest sets. Work up to the point where you dont need the straps. That way your grip will get some work. If you are primarily concerned with being able to hold onto the bar during deadlifts and shrugs, you can try static holds. Put the bar in a power rack or squat rack at just below the height the bar would be if you held it whilst standing. Grip the bar and hold it for time (I have used 30s to good effect).

Have you tried using chalk? This works incredibly well.....the bar wont slip in your hands so you can hold onto more weight.

BTW what grip do you use?? You can hold alot more with an alternating grip usually (one palm facing away from you, the other facing towards you).

Some people do have problems with gloves pinching. You could either use something like sponge as you said earlier......or you just have to let your hands toughen up. This wont necessarily make your hands rough and leathery if you use hand cream to keep em soft. The skin just gets a bit thicker where the bar sits.

how can i improve my grip? if i take my straps off i won't be able to do shrugs or dlifts with my present weight!

i think i've always had weak grip....any diff if you are a girl?

and i've tried gloves, maybe they weren't any good, but they "pinched" my palm and it hurt even more...

 

[diamonddiceclay]

wraps are mostly helpful when doing dumbbell curls

 

[needsize]

I agree with imnotdutch, go for an over/undergrip and definitely use chalk. Doing some forearm work after training back will also help to strengthen them. I'm not a powerlifter but have worker up to singles with 565lbs on the deadlift, then weighted chins afterwards and never had a problem with grip, maybe all those years pulling my own chain as a teenager, lol