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Name | Length | |
---|---|---|
Bear Grip High Quality Wrist Wraps | 18 Inches | |
Bear Fit Wrist Straps | 13 Inches | |
AQF Wrist Wraps | 13 Inches | |
RDX Gym Straps | 20.5 Inches | |
AQF Lifting Straps | 21 Inches |
There are many people for whom weightlifting is a popular – and effective – form of exercise. It’s been a popular pastime for a long, long time, and takes many forms. It’s also an Olympic sport and is performed in other regional competitions, and many people get a great deal of pleasure out of it. However, there are safety implications involved, so it is important that anyone lifting weights has the right training, and the right equipment. It is always best, when beginning something such as this, to take expert help, and make sure you are supervised.
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Now, with that little lecture over, let’s talk about the equipment needed for weightlifting. There’s the weights of course – and you should never try to lift too much – and the space, and there’s also necessary body protection. In this review we are looking at something that is relatively simple, but which can make a lot of difference in terms of safety and protection: wrist wraps; small, inexpensive and very useful items that are a staple part of the weightlifter’s equipment.
They come in a variety of styles, shapes and sizes, and from many different brands, and you need to make sure you have the best wrist wraps if you are to get the best out of your weightlifting routine. So, we have picked the ten best on the market now, and are about to give you low-down so you can choose the best. Before we do, let’s have a closer look at what they do, and how they work.
Best Wrist Wraps For Lifting And Benching
1: Bear Grip High Quality Wrist Wraps
The first item on our list is this impressive set of two wrist wraps from Bear Grip, a well-known name in the trade. They are made from strong, durable material that is designed for use with heavy lifting exercises, and are finished with extra-strong stitching so they will not come apart at the seams. They are available in a range of colourways, so you can take your pick and choose the one that you like best.
The design features an elastic thumb strap for added comfort and security, and at 18inches long you have plenty of room to get them strapped in the right place for comfort and added protection. In short, this is a standard type of wrist wrap that will do the job, and that’s what makes it a popular choice with both experienced and novice weightlifters. They are about £6 for the pair, so good value, too.
- Affordable
- Strong Build
- Good Length
- None
2: Bear Fit Wrist Straps
Wrist straps are not just for protection, but also for added support when lifting heavy weights. Think of them as a gauntlet but without the hand section, and you have the general idea. This pair – from Bear Fit – are 13 inches in length, so not as long as the ones reviewed above, and are made to a suitably high standard. This one is designed for easy application and removal, and comes with the usual elasticated thumb strap for added comfort.
They are sold in pairs and are fully washable, and are finished in an attractive red and black design, and they are very popular with weightlifters of all ages. The three inch width is perhaps not as good as some, but they are comfortable and do the job, so are certainly worth considering. In a market such as this, where products are always going to be very similar, it is difficult to find usable pros and cons, but we will do our best! At less than a fiver for a pair these are good value for best wrist wraps.
- Affordable
- Strong Build
- Comfortable
- Smaller Than Some
3: AQF Wrist Wraps
If you are looking for style with your wrist wraps – and why wouldn’t you be – then this camo-finish design may be the one for you. It’s available in three colour ways, and is very attractively finished indeed. This one is also 13inches, so not as big as the first one, but we are beginning to see that this is pretty much a standard size. It’s described as ‘one size fits all’ so you can be sure of getting them comfortable, and they are made to a high standard.
Heavy stitching means they will stay together even in the toughest of conditions, and although a little thin at three inches, they do the job they are designed for. An elastic thumb strap and Velcro closure system makes these comfortable and easy to wear, and they are very popular with beginners and experts. They are about a fiver for a pair, so good value, and we have no hesitation putting them on this list.
- Affordable
- Strong Build
- Camo Finish
- Smaller Than Some
4: RDX Gym Straps
When reviewing the best wrist wraps it is helpful if we are given the details, and with this wrist strap set – from RDX – we have plenty to work with. This one is even thinner than the above pair at just 1.5inches, but is designed to be worn in such a way that it covers a greater area. It’s a wrap-around version that proves very popular with weightlifters and other fitness enthusiasts, and is very effective when in use.
This gym strap is made from heavy duty cotton that gives it durability, plus specially sourced Grip Flex rubber for extra strength and power, and it feels very comfortable when in place. The straps are designed to grab the bar when lifting for added power, and they are very effective. This one is some 20 inches in length so you can wrap many times, and is proving very popular. However, it more than £10 – twice that above – but that reflects the quality and the materials used.
- Strong Build
- Long
- Rubber Finish
- Expensive
5: AQF Lifting Straps
We are getting into the realms of straps that are used more for the actual lift than for protection, and they really do make a big difference. These are used by both beginners and experienced athletes, and by professionals too, and they can be the difference between a successful lift and a failure. This design, from AQF, is similar to that above in being a 21-inch, multi wrap around design, and is made from high quality, strong materials that will withstand the test of time.
You can choose these in high quality cotton or, if you wish and for extra cost, 100% leather, the latter being an unusual if highly effective option. They come in a choice of colours and are sold in pairs, and they are fully washable and absorb moisture. Overall, this is a very neat design that we like – especially at a price of under a fiver – so we recommend you add this one to your shortlist if it is cost you are looking at.
- Strong Build
- Leather Material
- Good Length
- None
6: Elite Body Squad Pro
Once in a while an item slips into the pack that has an additional appeal, and this is certainly one of those: it comes as a pretty impressive package, but more of that in a minute. First, you get 18inch wrist straps that are made from a cotton, elastic and polyester mix, which provides excellent grip and performance. The heavy duty stitching makes for excellent durability and long life, and they are surprisingly comfortable when worn. They are fully adjustable with the usual Velcro closure so will be great in even the most strenuous lifts.
So, what’s this about a package? Well, this seller has clearly thought about the best way to sell these, as you also get a free set of gym straps plus a handy carry bag, as well as an information pack that gives you all the help you need to get the best out of your lifting. It may sound like a gimmick, but it’s actually a pretty good deal, especially at a price of under £8.
- Package Deal
- Strong Build
- Carry Case
- None
7: Emrah Heavy Duty Wrist Wraps
Suitable for weightlifting, training and general gym use, these heavy duty wrist wraps from Emrah are certainly worth checking out. Made from very heavy duty and durable cotton, and designed for protection, they are perfect for protecting the wrists when lifting weights or indulging in other exercise routines, and make a perfect addition to your kit. They come with a thumb loop for added ease of use, and many satisfied buyers have testified to their effectiveness.
Measuring 3” wide and with a full extended length of 18”, you get a very good support and padding effect from these wrist wraps, and they are comfortable to wear. The hook and loop closing device offers great security with extra-long Velcro for added versatility, and they fit very nicely. This is an essential item for safety and effective working out, and as they come as a pair, the price is very reasonable indeed for what is a quality item.
- Strong Build
- Good Design
- Affordable
- None
8: Ipow Adjustable Wrist Wraps
Reviewing items that are so similar – we don’t think we’ve done one that had so little variation before – can be difficult in that finding pros and cons is often impossible. This also makes it hard to recommend one, but we think that this one may come close to the top of the list. The reason? Well, you get a thumb loop for easy wrapping, a full 19inch strap for extra adjustability, a strong and durable polyester material that promises strength and long life, and an elastic feel that means you can add flexibility.
There’s a sense of quality about this one that is not present in some of the others, and it is a one size fits all design for ease of use. Extra wide Velcro closing means you also get better stability and security, and it won’t move during even the most arduous of lifts. In short, this is a very neat item that provides protection and performance, and at a price of under £7 is also good value among those on this list.
- Strong Build
- Thumb Loop
- Affordable
- None
9: Premium Quality Wrist Support
If it seems as if we are running out of interesting things to say, that’s because we are! It’s not that these items are not interesting – they are to those who use them and are very much a necessity – but that each follows the same theme, and pretty much does the same thing. This one is a very typical wrist wrap; it’s made from quality fabric which is designed to be breathable, strong and also comfortable, and it is also easy to attach and remove. There’s nothing special here, just a practical item that does its job.
An elastic loop, long strap and Velcro closing are all part and parcel of what is a very typical design, and if it interests you, we like the colour. It is very effective, very comfortable and will not move when you lift, and is perfect for both weightlifting and other gymnastic exercises. Does it have any stand-out features? No more than any other, and with change from a tenner it’s perfectly decent value.
- Strong Build
- Good Length
- Thumb Loop
- None
10: Nordic Lifting Wrist Wraps
So, we arrive at our last item, number ten on the list of wrist wraps. It’s worth a little reflection that weightlifting in ancient times was about proving your strength and asserting dominance – today, of course, it’s more about sporting achievement. Now, this design is actually quite impressive, in that it’s one of the few that comes in a full range of very attractive bright and breezy colours, which makes it somewhat different at least in that area.
It’s a standard wrist wrap design, made from strong and durable material, and comes with the usual elastic thumb loop for ease of use. It’s designed for use by both men and women, is fully washable and comfortable to wear, and is also very usable and effective. It is clearly a quality item with strong stitching and a decent finish. There’s not a lot more to say than that this item is a touch more then £10, so is a little more expensive than some others on this list. Nevertheless, it’s a good quality item that is worth a second look.
- Strong Build
- Comfortable
- Easy To Use
- None
So, there you have ten quality wrist wraps, suitable for use by weightlifters and other athletes needing protection and grip, and each one with its own attributes. Before we go on to sum up, let’s have a quick reminder of the features to look for.
Important Features to Consider
Whether you are competing at any level or simply lifting weights to keep your fitness up, you need wrist wraps for added safety and better grip. They can be the difference between good and failed lifts, and you will find they help improve your technique. What are the important features to consider when looking for the best wrist wraps? Let’s have a look.
Length – you need wrist wraps that you can wrap several times around your wrists for the best effect, so check the length of the item. Whether you prefer wide or think wraps is a personal choice but, for the record, we think the wider the better!
Strength – wrist wraps take a fair bit of wear and tear, so you really need to make sure yours are made from strong material. There is a wide variety of choices of material among this selection, too, so added research may be sensible.
Secure – your wrist wrap needs to be able to stay in place even when you perform the most impressive lifts, so make sure you get one that has a strong Velcro closure for added strength and secure fitting.
That’s about it, as most of these are pretty much a similar price, so all that remains now is for us to wrap things up!
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How It Works
Weightlifting is one of the most ancient sports of all; indeed, it is known to have been a competitive sport in both Ancient Egyptian and Greek times, so has been around a lot longer than you might think. It was featured as one of the sports at the first Modern Olympic Games – in Athens in 1896 – and has featured, bar a few years in the early part of the 20th century as an Olympic sport for men ever since. Women first got the category in 2000, and it is becoming increasingly popular with female athletes.
When you think of weightlifting in the Olympics, you most likely think of the Russians, who always seem to win! However, that wasn’t always the case, as Russians only came to the fore in the 1950’s. Nowadays, the Chinese are very much at the forefront of weightlifting, and are one of the major markets for wrist wraps.
Which brings us swiftly back to the subject; what are wrist wraps? They are small, comfortable items that are designed to be worn on the wrist for protection, and they are made from a variety of different materials. So, before we get lost in history again, let’s get down to business and have a look at the ten best wrist wraps for lifting and benching wraps you can buy right now, and see if we can give you an idea of which one might be best for you.
Let’s Wrap It Up!
Well, that was not an easy one! Looking for differences between items that are essentially – and necessarily – the same is difficult, and when you do find them they remain pretty much insignificant! Some are 18 inches, others 21, but it doesn’t really make that much difference in the overall scheme of things. Some are polyester, some cotton, one is even available in leather, and some have more Velcro than others. It is difficult, then, to pick one out as the best of the bunch.
There are a couple of things we’d like to point out: the final one stands out because it is available in so many designs – that’s very unusual for these items – and number 6, the Elite, because it comes with accessories including a handy carry bag. So, the choice is yours, but whatever decision you make, remember to stay safe, keep within your limits, and good luck with your lifting!