HealthyBeat articles include advertisements and affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you purchase through links on our site. Learn more Updated September 25, 2023If you’ve never really worked out before, you might not have any idea what a wrist wrap even is. A wrist wrap is made to support and align the bones and joints in your wrists while you work out, helping to reduce stress and prevent sprains and strains. They’re also great if you’ve had past injuries or certain conditions, like carpal tunnel syndrome. You can use them to work out during your recovery or even just every day to deal with pain and inflammation.For seasoned lifters and resistance athletes, you probably have at least heard of a wrist wrap, and you may even have several. However, if you’re in the market for the latest in wrist technology or even just looking to replace a worn wrap, there are a ton of great products out there tailored to your needs. Let’s talk about some of our favorites.Best Wrist Wraps of 2023Best All-Around: Gymreapers Wrist WrapsBest Stiff Wrap: Rip Toned Wrist WrapsBest for Lifting: Rogue Wrist Wraps by Rogue FitnessBest for Beginners: HiRui Wrist Compression StrapBest with Thumb Loops: Hustle Athletics Wrist WrapsBest for Carpal Tunnel: M BRACE RCA Carpal Tunnel Wrist Pain ReliefBest Wrist Wraps of 20231. Best All-Around Wrist Wraps: Gymreapers Wrist WrapsThis is a great wrap for those looking to get more out of their wrist wrap than just support for powerlifting. With its sturdy yet flexible nylon construction and enhanced stitching, it supports your wrist without entirely restricting its movement. It’s a great wrap not only for push and bench workouts but stretching and even work that involves lifting.2. Best Stiff Wrist Wraps: Rip Toned Wrist WrapsIf support and stability are what you’re after, look no further than Rip Toned’s stiff wrist wraps. These heavy-duty wraps will almost eliminate wrist mobility while you lift—protecting you from injury, reducing pain, and helping you increase your reps and weight. The reinforced thumb loops ensure the wrap stays put no matter how intense your workout, and the highly stiff material is perfect for CrossFit, heavy lifting, etc. These wraps also come in a medium-stiff version for those looking to retain a little bit of flexibility.3. Best Wrist Wraps for Lifting: Rogue Fitness Wrist WrapsAnother high-quality option that offers stability over flexibility, Rogue Wraps are great for those weightlifters who want maximum support. It offers quality material and a convenient thumb loop and hook-and-loop closure for extra security. In addition to its durable construction, this wrap offers 3 different length options for different-sized lifters, and its unique blend of cotton, elastic, and polyester helps absorb sweat from intense workouts and won’t irritate the skin like some all-synthetic materials.4. Best Wrist Wraps for Beginners: HiRui Wrist Compression StrapDesigned for flexibility and easy wearing, this cuff provides gentle compression for stability and pain relief without too much restriction, which can allow you to get used to the feeling of a wrist wrap without jumping in the deep end with the stiffest or tightest option on the market. Its unique blend of neoprene will last through many workouts, and at the same time, its lightweight construction is breathable to help prevent sweat buildup. The best part is it was designed with multiple activities in mind, including volleyball, tennis, weightlifting, cycling, etc.5. Best Wrist Wraps with Thumb Loops: Hustle Athletics Wrist WrapsAnother stiff wrap designed with heavy lifting in mind, these wraps feature premium stitching, durable material, and an extra-wide velcro closure for added security during your lifts. The flexible, stretchable thumb wraps add extra immobility to the already supor-stationary wrap, which can give you the freedom to do shoulder presses, deadlifts, and snatches without focusing on what’s around your wrist.6. Best Wrist Wraps for Carpal Tunnel: M BRACE RCA Carpal Tunnel Wrist Pain ReliefIf you have carpal tunnels and don’t want surgery, this offering from M BRACE RCA might just be for you. This wrist brace provides maximum wrist mobility whilst supporting the wrist and minimizing pain by reducing cumulative stress on the wrist and helping the carpal tunnel maintain its normal U-shape, minimizing irritation and allowing the median nerve to heal. It’s a comfortable option intended to wear all day and all night. If you’re at risk for carpal tunnel, this brace may also help prevent the syndrome before it starts.How to Use a Wrist WrapHow you use your wrist wrap depends on what you’re using it for. There are several reasons why someone might need this gear. A few of the most common reasons are wrist injuries and conditions, heavy weight lifting, and even just prevention. If you use the wrap for lifting, you’d just wear it during the most intense portions of your workout. However, if you wear it because of past or potential injury, you might have to use it more frequently. Let’s discuss below.Wrist Injuries/ConditionsCompression wrapping can help you reduce the swelling and pain that accompanies all kinds of wrist injuries, including muscle strains, sprains, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even varicose veins. Usually, the kind of wrap you need and when you wear it depends on the injury or condition you have.For sprains, compression gloves or braces are likely best, since they’re meant to be worn for long stretches, and they both compress the wrist and limit its range of motion.For carpal tunnel, you can use everything from a glove to a splint to a plain brace, depending on what activity you’re doing and what’s most comfortable for you. Most people wear carpal tunnel wrap when they’re doing things most likely to exacerbate carpal tunnel symptoms—like typing, using hand tools, or doing repetitive wrist and hand motions.Weight LiftingYou don’t have to use a wrist wrap for every exercise. In fact, they’re designed to be used for specific weight training exercises, for example, max-effort overhead lifts or pressing movements. You don’t want to over-extend your wrist during these exercises, but heavy weight can force your wrists to excessive extension, increasing the risk of pain and injury.Here are a few tips for properly using wrist wraps during exercise:Tie them right: Make sure your wrap is sitting over the wrist joint, just at the base of your hand. If your wrap is too far up your arm, it will rest below the wrist joint and provide no support at all. To tie them correctly, hold the wrap with the loop (if it has one) facing towards your palm, lining the loop up with your thumb. Slip your thumb through the loop and then wrap the wrist support around your arm as many times as it goes, making sure the velcro is on the outside. Keep the edges aligned so each layer is stacked over the other one rather than twisting down your arm. Secure the wrap comfortably. It should be tight enough to cause some compression and restrict movement, but not so tight it reduces blood flow or causes discomfort.Wait to put them on until after you warm-up: You don’t need support to warm up at 50 or 60 percent of your max load. In fact, becoming overly dependent on your wrist wraps can set you up for injury by weakening your wrist muscles over time. To maintain flexibility and strength in your wrist flexors and extensors, limit your wrap use to your full workout.Do pushing or pressing exercises: Wraps are pretty much useless for doing bicep curls or exercises where you’re pulling weight towards yourself. The best exercises to use wrist wraps for are things like deadlifts, rack pulls, bench presses, etc.PreventionWrist wraps aren’t for just working out. If you have a demanding job or particularly weak wrists, you can use them during intense activity to protect yourself from overstraining or injury. Just remember not to allow yourself to become overly dependent on them, as using them on a continuous basis if you’re not currently injured can result in weak or stiff wrists. If you’ve been having wrist pain or are worried about your wrist function, speak with your doctor about whether wrist wraps are right for you.Benefits of Wrist WrapsWrist wraps have a ton of great benefits, including:Stabilizing the wrists during heavy liftsAiding you in recovering from injuriesHelping increase your max load over timeProviding joint stabilityProtecting the wrist from overextensionKeeping your wrists in proper alignmentFAQsDo I really need a wrist wrap?Maybe. If you’re a serious lifter who really wants to up their game fast, wrist wraps can help you avoid failed lifts and resultant injuries, so investing in a solid pair is probably not a bad idea. However, if you’re just dabbling in weight training or you’re fine with a lighter max load, you may not need a wrist wrap. Just remember, don’t overuse wrist wraps, or you could wind up becoming too reliant on them.What do thumb loops do?Thumb loops help secure the wrap on your hand, both keeping it from sliding down your arm and twisting around your wrist. For serious heavy lifters, the thumb loop can be a lifesaver during intense workouts. Who wants to stop in the middle of a deadlift to fix their wrist wrap? The loop can also help you adjust the tension on your wrap as you tie it by keeping it from traveling around your wrist when you tug it. However, some lifters find the loop annoying and slip it off once the wrap is secured.Will a wrist help with pain?If you suffer from mild to moderate pain in your wrist due to injury or certain conditions, compression wraps can help relieve swelling and discomfort. Depending on the type of injury, you can also use ice, heating pads, and over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol and Advil for temporary relief. However, if you experience a significant injury or have pain that lasts longer than a week or so, it’s important to see your doctor to make sure nothing serious is going on.How do I find the right size wrist wrap?There are generally three different lengths of wrist wrap: 12 inches, 18 inches, and 24 inches. Depending on the size of your wrist, these wraps will go around your wrist once, twice, and three times respectively. The more times the wrap goes around, the stiffer and more supportive it will be.If you’re new to wrist wraps and don’t have any wrist injuries, consider the 12-inch first to introduce yourself to the feel of the wrap. If you have worn a wrap before or have a previous injury, the 18-inch may be for you. Consider the 24-inch if you lift heavy or have recovered from a serious injury in the past.Keep in mind if your wrist is small or large, it will affect how many times the wrap goes around, so if you have a particularly tiny or huge wrist, you may need to adjust your wrap length based on that as well as other factors.Can I wash my wrist wraps?Most of the time, your wraps will be made of polyester, nylon, cotton, or a blend of 2 or even all 3 of these fabrics. All these materials are machine washable, but you should check the tag on your wrap to make sure you can machine wash it and what cycle to use. Even if your wrap isn’t machine washable, it’s still a good idea to hand wash and air dry it. If you don’t, sweat and dead skin cells can eventually accumulate in the fabric of your wrist wrap and cause it to take on a foul odor.Bottom LineIf you do a lot of heavy lifting, a good pair of wrist wraps can be your best friend and choosing the pair that’s going to provide you the most comfort and support for your needs is of vital importance. The good news is if you know your weight lifting style, your health history, and your wrist size, you can shop with the confidence you’re going to choose the right product.This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or other medical professional. Comments Cancel replyLeave a CommentYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Comment Name Email I agree to the Terms and Conditions of this website. Δ