Wrist Straps For CrossFit

CrossFit Athletes have an abundance of choice when it comes to accessories and gear, wrist wraps, lifting straps, belts and even lifting footwear, which are all available on every other fitness gear store.

Because of this very reason, wraps are being overly used without proper know how of their actual use and application.

The primary objective of a wrap is to provide that extra bit of support to the joint that connects the wrist to the hand. Especially the exercises that require pressing movements and lifting weights over your head. The wrist can experience a possible injury due to a failed lift by hyper extending the joint under extreme load and pressure of the weights.

 

Here are a few pointers that can help you with the wrist wraps:

 

Always Warm-Up without Wraps

Wraps are meant to help you lift max loads and not with maximizing your style statement. 80% of your workout exercises should be done without wraps. Wraps can limit your natural strength development of the wrist, even the strongest athletes quite rarely use wraps.

 

Not too low

Again, the primary objective of a wrap is to provide support to your wrist joint when you’re working with max weights. So, always wrap them as low on the wrist as possible, anywhere above that and you’ve successfully killed the purpose of the wrap and made it into just a fancy bracelet. 

 

What’s Available?

Usually there are two main types of wraps on the market:

·         Cotton wraps: They’re thinner in fabric and offer more flexibility, especially when you’re trying to achieve the perfect clean and jerk or snatch.

·         Powerlifting wraps: They’re made out of a much thicker material and provide more support for the wrist. Very helpful for bench pressing and shoulder pressing.

 

Get a pair of wrist wraps to maximize your powerlifting abilities but always consult your trainer or an expert to know which kind of wrap will suit you better. Protect your wrists and form by reducing the chances of any serious injuries.