Before we delve into the 10 wrist wraps to stabilize your heavy overhead lifts. First, let’s dwell on wrist wrap and its benefits in weight or strength training.
What is a wrist wrap?
Wrist wrap is basically a piece of cloth, made from cotton or synthetic material that is woven together, usually 6-8 cm (2-3 inches) wide and 60-70 cm (24 inches) long.
Features
They can vary in terms of elasticity (stretchy or non-stretchy).
They are typically fastened securely around the wrist using a velcro or string (depending on the type).
Some have a loop for the thumb, while others do not.
What are wrist wraps for?
It is important to know why wrist wraps are an important accessory in weight or strength training. It is also important to know which exercises they are best suitable for. Why? Because understanding your weight or strength training accessories is key to maximizing your workout and achieving the best results.
You may have seen weight or strength trainers making use of wrist wraps during their workouts.
Weightlifting Wrist wraps are valuable workout accessories for the safety and support of your wrists. When doing any overhead lifting exercises, your wrists get exposed to a lot of strain. If you feel your wrists are unstable or become sore or as a result of overhead lifts i.e. overhead dumbbell or overhead barbell lifts, then you should consider using a wrist wraps.
How does wrist wrap work?
Wrist wraps help to compress your wrists and stabilize them during workouts. It also helps to alleviate pain and soreness after overhead lifts or other weight or strength training exercises. Most importantly, they provide comfort and confidence in your training.
When to use wrist wraps
Mind you, wrist wraps aren’t really necessary for workouts like pullups and cardio. In those moments, it is best to leave your wrist wraps in your bag. In those situations, sweatbands are probably a better alternative as wrist wraps typically aren’t designed to absorb your sweat well.
However, wrist wraps are best used for
- Overhead Squats
- Over Dumbell Presses
- Bench Presses
- Cowbell Deadlift
- Jerks and Weighted Carries
How to wear wrist wraps?
10 wrist wraps to stabilize your heavy overhead lifts
Now that you know what wrist wrap is and how it can be used to maximize your training, let’s look at the best wrist wraps available today.
1. Rip Toned Wrist Wrap
Rip Toned Wrist Wraps are an excellent choice if you are looking to have firm support for your wrists during workouts. Whether you are into gymnastics or heavy lifting, these wrist wraps will provide varying levels of stiffness that is required for Presses or Squats.
The varying level of stiffness has made these wrist wraps a popular choice around the fitness community. Easy to put on and easy to take off, thanks to the velcro straps and the thumb loops. You will see a lot of difference in your workouts if you train with one of these. Also, if you feel pain in your wrist during training, it can help to reduce the pain.
Pros:
- 2 different stiffnesses
- Quality material
Cons:
- Maybe a bit bulky for exercises outside of weightlifting
- Can be too stiff for some people
2. Rogue Fitness Wrist Wraps
Billed as some of the stiffest wrist wraps for their size, the 3” wide Rogue Fitness Wrist Wraps are a great choice for Cowbell Deadlifts and Overhead Dumbbell Presses.
Rogue Fitness combined cotton, polyester, and elastic to assure that these wrist wraps provide comfort and absorb sweat conveniently — some of the prominent features of Rogue Fitness wrist wraps.
The sweat absorption is key as that could lead to slippage while lifting. Also fitted with a thumb loop and velcro for easy fit-up.
Pros:
- Great stiffness
- Comfortable
- Length Options
Cons:
- Velcro can make fabric fray
- Velcro doesn’t last
3. Plate Fitness Wrist Wraps
Designed with 18 inches of wrap and 3 inches of velcro, the Plate Fitness Wrist Wraps are supportive and flexible at the same time.
Great for powerlifting and CrossFit, the Plate Fitness design is a great balance of stiffness and comfort. Many weight trainers who have used these wrist wraps were particularly impressed with the quality of the velcro which holds well without fraying the fabric of the wrap.
Plate Fitness also tacks on a lifetime guarantee with their wrist wraps to assure your satisfaction.
Pros:
- Lifetime guarantee
- Quality velcro
- Balanced stiffness and flexibility
Cons:
- Only one stiffness type
- Only one size (18”)
4. Stoic Wrist Wraps
Made of extremely durable nylon material, the Stoic Wrist Wraps are popular amongst extreme powerlifters. When they were being designed, Stoic kept in mind, “Powerlifting Competition” as the core purpose these wrist wraps will serve. As a result, these wrist wraps are powerlifting competition compliant.
Stoic partnered with the IPF, the USPA, and USA Powerlifting and created one of the most sought after wrist wraps on the market.
When compared to other wrist wraps, many users noted that these wrist wraps are extra stiff, thus, it is strictly for serious powerlifters.
Pros:
- Powerlifting competition compliant
- Very Durable
- 3 different lengths
Cons:
- Stiff thumb loop may be uncomfortable for some
- It may feel like a cast (smiles)
5. Bear Grips II Wrist Wraps
Designed in three different lengths, multiple colors, and two different levels of stiffness, the Bear Grips II Wrist Wraps should no doubt be on the list of the 10 wrist wraps to stabilize your heavy overhead lifts.
Made of cotton, polyester, and elastic, this carefully crafted wrist wraps will help you get those extra reps whether you are powerlifting or just need wrist support for your weight or strength training exercise.
Pros
- Moisture-wicking properties reduce sweat slippage
- Durable material
- Color choices for style
- Multiple stiffness types
Cons
- Some users complained of velcro durability
6. Dark Iron Wrist Wraps
When it comes to Dark Iron Fitness products, you know that premium leather suede material is on top of their game.
The Dark Iron Fitness Wrist Wraps are no exception as they provide durability that the normal cotton wrist wraps do not. Since these wrist wraps are made of leather suede, many weight trainers love the comfort these wrist wraps provide along with the required stiffness.
Considering there is less worry about having so much stitching to deal with, making these wrist wraps last longer than wrist wraps on the market. Toss in Dark Iron Fitness lifetime warranty for their wrist wraps and you have a unique and top of the line entry to this best-of list.
Pros
- Made of leather
- Very comfortable
- Great stiffness
Cons
- Doesn’t conform to the wrist like cotton or nylon
- Sometimes velcro quality is questioned
- Pricey
- Not for newbies
7. WOD Wear Wrist Wraps
WOD Wear Wrist Wraps are designed to provide great stiffness and support for a number of different activities including gymnastics, yoga, Olympic lifting, powerlifting, baseball, and more.
Made of elastic double-layered cotton, these pre-shrunk wrist wraps are a perfect all-purpose choice. Instead of using velcro, they have an adjustable twist tight design that makes sure you get the fit you want without the question of how long the velcro will last.
If you care about style, there are a number of different colors and graphics to choose from. The WOD Wear Wrist Wraps are an excellent one size fits all choice.
Pros
- One size fits all
- No velcro
- Stylish and colorful designs
Cons
- May not be as stiff as others
8. DMoose Fitness Wrist Wraps
As one of the favorites amongst heavy lifters, the DMoose Fitness Wrist Wraps are an excellent addition to this list of 10 wrist wraps to stabilize your heavy overhead lifts. The heavy-duty cotton, elastic, and polyester combine to have a great feel while providing superb support for your wrists.
Many weightlifters see increased lift totals, reduced wrist fatigue, and longer workouts using these wrist wraps. Of course, style is a big consideration as DMoose Fitness Wrist Wraps come in 23 different fun styles or prints such as the US flag to keep your gear looking lit.
Pros
- Very firm and durable cotton
- Great comfort
- 23 different styles/colors
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Velcro durability in question
9. IPOW Wrist Wraps
As a great wrist wrap value, the IPOW Wrist Wraps provide a middle of the road stiffness and a simplicity that is perfect for various types of workouts — whether it is Gymnastics, CrossFit, Powerlifting, or Planking. Hence they have become a very common sight in the gym.
Pros
- Great price
- Moderate stiffness
Cons
- May not be stiff enough for some
10. Grip Power Pads Wrist Wraps
Designed to allow you to control your stiffness, the Grip Power Pads Wrist Wraps are made of quality elastic material. When you work out, sometimes there is a need to adjust how stiff your wrist wraps are and the Grip Power Pads design allows for easy adjustment.
Pros
- Easy to adjust
- Not very long but very elastic to get the job done.
Cons
- Weak thumb loops
Final words
One final note before wrapping up this list of 10 wrist wraps to stabilize your heavy overhead lifts. Like every other weightlifting accessories, it is important to define your weight or strength training goals before you begin to use them.
That being said, you may want to try a couple of the aforementioned wrist wraps before deciding on which is best for you and your training goals.
