Very weak left wrist

Apr 17, 2003
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So I generally have small wrists but my left one ALWAYS hurts after the gym...I mean for days on end. I bought one of those grips thinking that it may help. Grant it, I don't use it too often but if nothing else, it's clear evidence that the left wrist is far worse off. With my right hand, I can fully clinch the grip 20 times...left hand? about 4 to 5 at a time.

So how do I get the damn wrist/grip stronger on the left?
 

colonelciller

Senior member
Sep 29, 2012
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39249_image.jpg


use every day
work up strength to 30 reps consecutively for each wrist
then do sets of 20-30 (working up to 3 sets of 30 eacH wrist)
then just work up to doing 100-200 consecutively with each wrist

for added flavor squeeze tight with a quarter in between the grips and try not to drop the coin... work up to doingthis longer and longer and longer

then workup to doing this coin trick and while keeping hand squeezed tight like a vice bend your wrist in (like you do when flexing your bicep) and keep the hand closed like a vice... it is much more difficult to do this with your wrist bent

then work up to doing reps with your wrist bent inwards

it's fun and it takes weeks but you'll be astonished your strength gains

get the foam padded kind NOT thekindwith no padding... shop around for ones with lots of resistance in the spring
 

repoman0

Diamond Member
Jun 17, 2010
5,091
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Deadlifts? Should gain plenty of grip strength, evenly too, working your double overhand grip up to 225lbs or more.
 

blackdogdeek

Lifer
Mar 14, 2003
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What exercises are you doing in the gym that result in the wrist pain? The reason I ask is that I'm pretty sure my wrists are smaller and weaker than yours but I don't seem to have any pain issues.

Also, it's "granted".
 
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highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,973
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May be hurting because of a joint issue. For me, probably arthritis. A wrist wrap has helped.
 
Apr 17, 2003
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What exercises are you doing in the gym that result in the wrist pain? The reason I ask is that I'm pretty sure my wrists are smaller and weaker than yours but I don't seem to have any pain issues.

Also, it's "granted".


Trust me, I have TINY wrists...and (IMO) the left is smaller (even just looking at it). As for the exercises, I do bench, squat, overhead press, barbell rows regularly.
 

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
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Wrist wraps help me as well, but pain is still there. It's pretty unbearable without wraps. Dr. has told me there are no issues w/ joints.

Which exercises are they hurting on.

Should not hurt on squat, as hands should be on top of bar with elbows up, wrist locked so hand and arm make one line.

Should not hurt on rows as you are pulling.

If they are hurting on press or bench, maybe your hand position is too wide.
 

brad310

Senior member
Nov 14, 2007
319
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So I generally have small wrists but my left one ALWAYS hurts after the gym...I mean for days on end. I bought one of those grips thinking that it may help. Grant it, I don't use it too often but if nothing else, it's clear evidence that the left wrist is far worse off. With my right hand, I can fully clinch the grip 20 times...left hand? about 4 to 5 at a time.

So how do I get the damn wrist/grip stronger on the left?
If you are using barbells, try switching to dumbells. Dumbells let you use a neutral grip through whatever movement you are doing.

I would also say try adding dumbell rows, specifically. Those will increase your grip strength faster than deadlifts (which you should also be doing). Go as heavy as you can, as many reps as you can.

Also, try wrist wraps if the problem is with your anatomy.
 
Apr 17, 2003
37,622
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Which exercises are they hurting on.

Should not hurt on squat, as hands should be on top of bar with elbows up, wrist locked so hand and arm make one line.

Should not hurt on rows as you are pulling.

If they are hurting on press or bench, maybe your hand position is too wide.

Usually don't hurt on squats because there isn't much pressure on them. Some pain in rows. Pain in curls, bench press, skull crushers. The pain in ok/tolerable during the workout...but really bad the days after.
 

blackdogdeek

Lifer
Mar 14, 2003
14,453
10
81
Trust me, I have TINY wrists...and (IMO) the left is smaller (even just looking at it). As for the exercises, I do bench, squat, overhead press, barbell rows regularly.

Dude, I'm Filipino (read: Asian) and 5'6" so I'm pretty sure my girly wrists are well smaller than yours. I can put my thumb and middle finger around my wrists and touch fingers. TINY!

Anyway, how heavy are the weights we're talking and what is your current body weight/height?
 
Apr 17, 2003
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Dude, I'm Filipino (read: Asian) and 5'6" so I'm pretty sure my girly wrists are well smaller than yours. I can put my thumb and middle finger around my wrists and touch fingers. TINY!

Anyway, how heavy are the weights we're talking and what is your current body weight/height?

I can get my thumb and pinky to easily touch!

Weights:

Bench: 115 for work out sets
Over head press - 90 pound
Rows: 115

Not heavy at all. I'm 5'11.5'' 170
 

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
4
0
Dude, I'm Filipino (read: Asian) and 5'6" so I'm pretty sure my girly wrists are well smaller than yours. I can put my thumb and middle finger around my wrists and touch fingers. TINY!

I'm 6' 205 and I can do that. I don't consider my wrists tiny, though.
 
May 13, 2009
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Pain is a good indicator something is wrong. Don't ignore it. Rest your wrists and when they are rested work on strengthening them. I ignored some pain in my ankle went running the next day and I've now had to spend a week and a half walking with a limp and forget any kind of cardio.
 

AyashiKaibutsu

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2004
9,306
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two quarters covers my wrist (no phones at work : ( ) Offhand, I know my wrist measures 6 1/2 inches diameter.
 
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