Wrist Wraps for Weightlifting: When Should You Use Them?

Wrist wraps can make heavy snatches, jerks and front squats more comfortable by giving the wrists some extra support. They are especially useful when the weight gets heavy or when a session includes a lot of overhead work.

However, wrist wraps for weightlifting are not something every athlete needs for every set.

Wrist Wraps for the Snatch

The wrists take a lot of weight when catching and holding a snatch overhead. Wraps can help during heavy snatches, overhead squats and longer sessions where the wrists begin to feel tired.

They should still allow you to turn the bar over and settle into the catch normally. If the wraps are so tight that your hands feel locked in place, loosen them.

Wrist Wraps for the Jerk

Wraps are very common in the clean and jerk because the wrists have to deal with a heavy front rack before supporting the bar overhead.

They can be particularly useful for repeated jerks from the rack or heavy clean and jerk sessions. The wrap gives the wrist some support, but you still need to hold the bar in a strong and comfortable position.

Do Wrist Wraps Help the Front Rack?

Wrist wraps can make the front rack feel better, but they will not fix the position itself.

The bar should sit on the shoulders rather than being held entirely in the hands. If your wrists are carrying most of the weight, you may need to work on your front rack instead of simply tightening your wraps.

This matters for cleans and front squats. Wraps can help, but they should not be used to hide a problem with how you hold the bar.

How Tight Should Wrist Wraps Be?

Wrist wraps should feel snug without cutting off blood flow or stopping you from moving normally.

If your fingers become numb, cold or start tingling, the wraps are too tight. You should be able to feel the support while still moving your hands enough to catch a snatch or hold a front rack.

Place the wrap around the wrist itself, not only around the lower part of the forearm. You can also change the tightness between exercises. What feels right for a heavy jerk may be tighter than what you want for snatches.

When Are Wrist Wraps Unnecessary?

You probably do not need wraps for light warm-ups, pulls or every set of every session. If your wrists feel completely fine, there is no reason to wear them simply because other lifters do.

Wraps should also not be used to train through sharp or continuing wrist pain. They can make the wrist feel more supported, but they do not fix an injury.

Which LUXIAOJUN Wrist Wraps Should You Choose?

LUXIAOJUN offers three different options:

• W80 Wrist Wraps: 21-inch wraps made from cotton, polyester and rubber, with a Velcro fastening. They are easy to put on and adjust between sets.

• Cotton Wrist Wraps: 35-inch cotton wraps without a thumb loop. You wrap and tie them yourself, making it easy to choose how much support you want.

• ONYX High-Top Wrist Wraps: a thicker leather option made with ONYX. They cover more of the wrist and are best for lifters who prefer a firmer feeling.

The right choice mainly depends on how much support you like. The W80 is the easiest everyday option, the Cotton wrap is the simplest to adjust exactly as you want, and the ONYX High-Top gives the firmest support of the three.