What Is A Weighted Wrist Strap?

Weight wrist straps, sometimes known as wrist weights are used for both exercise and rehabilitative purposes. When wrapped around your wrists, weighted wrist straps self-adhere to Velcro for a customized fit and comfort. Weighted wrist straps can add resistance to an otherwise low impact exercise routine for better results, while rehabilitative and therapeutic wrist straps can be used to correct and remedy certain conditions.

Purpose

You may find weighted wrist straps with Velcro enclosures in the health and fitness section of a sporting goods store. Weight wrist straps are use to add extra weight to the wrists for added resistance when engaging in arm exercises. This can be especially useful if a joint condition makes it difficult for your comfortably grasp a regular dumbbell in your hand. While weighted wrist straps typically come in lighter weights, they provide an ideal amount of low impact resistance for exercise.

Therapy and Rehabilitation

Physical therapists and other rehabilitative workers sometimes use weighted wrist straps to help correct some of the symptoms of certain disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease or sensory disorders. The added weight around the hands and wrists can bring awareness of arm motion to those with Parkinson's. When used as sensory therapy, weight wrist straps provide pressure sensation as a way to reduce fidgeting and sensory reactions. The wrist straps used for exercise and those used for therapeutic treatment are generally the same.

Safety Precautions

While weighted wrist straps are generally a safe way to add resistance to your arms, you should still take precautions when wearing them. Since the added weight adds more resistance to the ends of your arms, you may automatically over correct when swinging your arms while walking or running. This can result in an overextension of the elbow, a painful condition. When wearing wrist weights, avoid allowing your hands to hang at your sides. Instead, bend your elbows to a 90-degree angle to help protect your elbows when wearing the weights.

Exercises

If you've elected to wear weighted wrist straps as a part of your exercise routine, wear them while walking to add resistance to the exercise. You can also add weighted straps to a seated fitness routine by sitting in a supportive chair and raising your left hand to the side until your arm is in line with your shoulder. Hold the position for three seconds before slowly and carefully lowering your arm. Repeat on the right side. Or, try a modified overhead press by raising both arms to the side simultaneously and bringing them together over your head.