If you go to the gym pretty regularly, you've surely seen someone working out with straps around their wrists--these are wrist straps. They're used by weightlifters to supplement their grip when they are using heavier weights in training. They are a simple tool--a length of static material with a noose at one end for your wrists and a tail at the other to wrap around the barbell or dumbbell. There are hundreds of different straps out there, ranging from a few dollars to a few hundred. Which might you need?
What to Look for
If you're in the market for wrist straps, the first thing to consider is how advanced your training is. If you're lifting very heavy weight and need the straps to eliminate your grip from the equation, you'll require straps made of a stronger material like leather or nylon, and will likely need your straps to include padding, which will keep your wrists from suffering excessive pressure and material burns. On the other hand, if you're a more casual weightlifter, the less expensive cotton straps without all the bells and whistles will work well.
Common Pitfalls
The biggest mistake when shopping for wrist straps is failing to select a pair with maximum comfort and potential to help you reach your goals. For example, if your goal is to gain muscle mass, straps can certainly help. They'll allow you to get your grip out of the way so you can move more weight with the muscles you're working. If you train for an athletic or sporting purpose that requires a certain degree of forearm strength (rock climbing or golf, for example), wrist straps can hinder your progress by removing your forearms from the equation and rendering them too weak to achieve your goals. Finally, unless you are a competitive powerlifter or bodybuilder, there is no reason to spend lots of money on straps that include metal hooks for pull ups and the like, high-tech padding and gloves, or the newest vibration harnessing technology that is permeating the product field.
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