When to Use Wrist Weights

When you slip a wrist weight over your hand, it provides additional weight to your wrist. This weight can serve as resistance to your natural body movement. Many people use wrist weights during exercise and working out. While the correct time to use wrist weights varies, they can offer certain benefits.

Prevent Self-Injury

Self-injury, such as face slapping, can be attributed to automatic positive reinforcement from the senses, cites Ron Van Houten in a 1993 edition of the "Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis." You can alleviate this problem by wearing wrist weights, because it requires you to work harder to move your wrists and decreases your self-injury. The weight also serves as a restraint, and it prevents you from hurting yourself.

Improve Your Punch

When you are building and improving your punch, you want to focus on working on your strength and control. Adding wrist weights to your arm will allow you to do so. You can wear wrist weights for any type of punch, including a hook or an uppercut. Depending upon your current power and size, the weights should range from 2 lbs. to 10 lbs. The extra weight added to your arm will help it become stronger and require you to control more weight as you work on your form.

Strength Training

Any time you use weights, you build muscle. Wrist weights can help you build muscle and add strength to your arms and wrists. This strength allows your arms to function properly. You will be able to carry heavier items and lift more things. Your muscles gradually get stronger over time. Therefore, the more frequently you perform exercises with your wrist weights, the more of a difference you will notice in your arms and wrists.

Alternative to Hand Weights

Some individuals may not be able to hold hand weights while exercising, and wrist weights can serve as an alternative. For instance, older individuals may find it difficult to hold weights. In this case, a light wrist weight can serve the same function, but it allows you to keep your hands free and not strain any muscles. The important factor is to perform exercises properly and keep the movement safe.