If you are one of the thousands of Americans taking up cross training for power and endurance, you are probably looking for wrist wraps for squats. Wearing a wrist wrap for squats will help you achieve better posture, help you keep your core strong and minimize risk of injury. Also, the more advanced you get with your squats, the more likely you are to suffer an injury.
One of the most common injuries for American Crossfitters is repetitive wrist strain. If you have been doing squats for more than a few weeks you should consider using a WOD (workout of the hand) wrist wrap. The wrist wrap comes in two different forms; one that easily wraps around your forearms and the other that wraps around your thumb. Both varieties are designed to provide support to the forearm and thumb while also reducing the risk of injury.
Wearing wrist wraps for squats works the muscles in your legs, thighs and hips. The additional resistance increases the metabolic rate and forces you to work harder. As you get stronger, the added strength also helps you to take up more repetitions on the same number of exercises. This is a great benefit to those who are working out as a secondary or primary means of staying in shape. For example, boxers can use wrist wraps for squats as a way to increase the strength of their arm and focus solely on that aspect.
Another benefit of wrist wraps for squats is the increased grip strength that they provide. Most people have weak flexor (thumb) muscles, making it easy for them to grip the bar without a proper grip. As you become more experienced, you will be able to grip the bar much more tightly, which will greatly improve your ability to control your body weight.
Using wrist straps for lifting requires you to keep your arm at almost 90 degrees, with your palm facing upwards. This is a common position used in weightlifting and allows you to easily lift weights above your head. The wrist wraps work by holding the weights in place, while you perform squats in the same position. If you currently perform free weights, you should begin to experience a greater range of motion, better form and improved balance.
Using wraps for deadlifts not only makes your workouts easier, but it makes your grip more secure. Deadlift grip strength is extremely important as it allows you to lift much heavier weights with a secure form. For added stimulation, you can add a wrist or forearm trainer to help you strengthen these muscles even further.