What are the best wrist wraps for lifting?

Wrist wraps are supportive accessories used in weightlifting, powerlifting, and other strength training activities.

The primary purpose of wrist wraps is to limit the range of motion in the wrist joint and provide extra support to the ligaments and tendons. This can help prevent hyperextension or excessive wrist flexion, reducing the risk of injuries and allowing you to lift heavier weights more comfortably.

But with so many options on the market, which wraps should you choose? This guide will explain the variations in wrist wraps and the benefits of using them.

In this article

What are the different types of wrist wraps?
Do you need wrist wraps?
Why choose Strength Shop wrist wraps?
FAQ 

You might have guessed that we sell wrist wraps. You can see our full range here or read on to learn more about our products.

What are the different types of wrist wraps?

Wrist wraps vary in length, stiffness, and colour. Most wrist wraps are made using a fabric mix of cotton, rubber, and polyester and are secured using velcro (and a thumb loop). Other than that, wraps will differ in length and thickness.

The longer and thicker the wrist strap is, the more support you will have – at a cost to mobility. Lighter wraps are more pliable and suitable for dynamic lifts and exercises like snatch or farmers carry.

Most strength training brands will offer a few varieties of wrist wraps, each with its own branding/naming terminology.

Since we’re writing this article, here are all of our wraps:

Range	Support level	Recommended sports	IPF-Approved
Light (Hercules)  30cm	Maximum comfort, light	General gym training, Olympic Weightlifters	No
Medium (Zeus) 30cm, 60cm	Medium stiffness	General gym training, Olympic Weightlifters, Powerlifters	Yes
Heavy (Thor) 60cm, 80cm	Heavy stiffness	Powerlifters, Olympic Weightlifting, Strong(wo)man training	Yes
Super-heavy (Odin) 60cm, 80cm, 90cm	Very stiff	Powerlifters, Olympic Weightlifting, Strong(wo)man training	Yes
Riot extra thick 60cm	Extra thick, maximum support	Strongman training, Powerlifting	Yes
PRO 30cm, 60cm	Balanced support and comfort	Strongman training, Powerlifting	Yes

 

Do you actually need wrist wraps?

The beauty of lifting is that you don’t need much to get started. Comfortable clothes, something heavy, and you can train. You don’t need any accessories.
Wrist wraps are designed to help keep your wrists safe and improve performance.

As a beginner lifter, you might want to avoid using wraps for a few months to strengthen your lifts.

But once you advance and want to get to the top of your game and avoid injuries, consider adding wrist wraps to your gym bag.

Here are three benefits of wearing wrist wraps:

1. Enhanced wrist stability

Wrist wraps serve a crucial role in weightlifting by maintaining the wrist in a neutral position during exercises, promoting proper form, and preventing overextension.
A study conducted by Harris et al. in 2023 investigated the impact of flexible wraps (FW) and stiff wraps (SW) on bench press performance and subjective experiences across genders. Participants reported that wraps felt like they were increasing their wrist stability (albeit at a cost to comfort and mobility). This study was regarding the bench press, but we can assume that similar effects would be seen in other lifts.

2. Pain prevention

Wrist wraps play a role in alleviating pressure on wrist joints during intense lifting sessions. A study by Choo et al. (2022) focused on female gymnasts, revealing a high incidence of wrist injuries and pain, with 81.9% reporting wrist issues. Interestingly, 85.1% of the athletes reported reduced pain when using the wraps, indicating their potential to mitigate the impact of repetitive stress on the wrists.While this study was completed on gymnasts, similar joints and muscles are used during strength training.

3. Aids in recovery

Wrist wraps play a pivotal role in injury rehabilitation by providing crucial support and reducing stress on joints and surrounding muscles during lifting movements, contributing to a quicker and more effective recovery. It’s essential to note that while wrist wraps can aid in recovery, good form remains crucial, and they do not make individuals immune to injury. If in doubt, always consult a medical professional before returning to the gym.

Why choose Strength Shop wrist wraps?

We’ve been selling wrist wraps to athletes who are at the top of their sports for nearly 15 years, so we like to think we know what makes a quality wrist wrap.

Here are a few reasons you might consider using Strength Shop wrist wraps:

Wide range: We offer a range of different styles, from Light Wraps all the way to Riot Extra Stiff wraps. Our wrist wraps start from just €14.99, so you can find support that fits your budget.

Made by athletes for athletes: Our wraps are trusted by World and National Record holders and other passionate athletes for their PRs and Competitions. All of our wraps (except for our Light Wraps) are approved by the International Powerlifting Federation for competitive use.

Vegan-friendly: Our wraps are made from animal-friendly materials.

2-year warranty: All of our wraps fall under a 2-year warranty.

Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what other lifters say about our wraps:

"Bought these a year ago and they've held up so well I had to write a review. I bought the 12" version and despite these being the cheapest in the strengthshop line-up of wristwraps, they are amazing even for lightweight pushing exercises. As described they are flexible but still firm on the wrist, helping alleviate any wrist pains you may be experiencing. Overall I personally think these are the best wraps on the market for their price. Solid job Strengthshop"

- Review of our Light Wrist Wraps by Cam Scott on Strength Shop UK