The wrists are frequently disregarded in favor of bulking up the arms, chest, and legs, which are popular areas for muscle growth. But having more defined, stronger wrists improves grip strength and lowers the chance of injury during a variety of activities, in addition to improving your overall physique.
Certain exercises can make a big difference, whether you’re an athlete, fitness enthusiast, or just looking to give your wrists a little more definition. You can strengthen and increase the volume of your wrists with the correct routine and constant effort.
This post will go over some efficient wrist exercises that will strengthen your wrists and make them look better. These exercises are simple to perform with little equipment, either at home or at the gym.
- How to make your wrists wider and stronger
- Types of exercises
- Stretching
- Hanging on the horizontal bar
- Weight retention
- Crunches
- Fist clenching
- Pancake clenching
- Exercises with a roller for wrists
- With dumbbells
- With a wrist expander
- Push-ups on fists
- Palm pressure
- Forearm pull towards you with weights
- Breeding the arms to the side with weights
- Video on the topic
- THE BEST FOREARM GUIDE
- How to pump up powerful forearms?
- Pumping up WRISTS. Strength, Flexibility and Pain Relief
- Is it possible to increase your wrists / Arm wrestling / Andrey Antonov
How to make your wrists wider and stronger
Anybody can enlarge their wrist by setting goals. Prioritizing quality and time will help you achieve a high-quality outcome. It might take a year or more to enlarge your wrist by at least 1-2 cm. The amount of weight you can lift or the number of workouts you complete won’t change this fact.
The following fundamental guidelines should serve as the foundation for the outcome:
- Regularity. The frequency of workouts determines how quickly you can achieve your desired goal. A pre-prepared training schedule will help you stick to your plan. This will help you track your progress and stay motivated.
- Recovery time. By its natural structure, this part of the body is not surrounded by a large number of muscles and a fat layer. Therefore, training to increase this area is especially difficult.
- Nutrition. A balanced diet, sufficient amount of protein will help not only to increase the result of training, but also to maintain it in the long term.
- Moderation. Daily training and numerous repetitions will not bring you closer to the desired result. Harm, injuries and lack of desire to move on are the only things this will lead to.
- Variety. Different variations of exercises provide different loads on the muscles, which makes it possible to work out the wrist completely. Variety of training will prevent fatigue and loss of interest in training.
- Equipment. To build muscle mass, you need to work with weights. The more varied the equipment, the more possibilities and variations of exercises. You can use weights, expanders, weight plates, sports belts, barbells.
- Warm-up. Preparing the body is a mandatory step before each workout. Preliminary warm-up, stretching of the hands will not only prevent injuries, but also increase the effectiveness of the exercises.
- Safety. Compliance with the rules for performing exercises will not only prevent injuries, but will also help you understand which muscles are working at a certain moment, whether the load is distributed evenly, what the result will be.
- Patience. Persistence and endurance are the basis of moral strength and motivation. Determination is easy to lose, so you need to constantly remind yourself of the goal and its significance.
- Set an achievable goal. Anyone can increase the volume of their wrists, but only taking into account individual capabilities. For example, by body type, people are divided into ectomorphs, mesomorphs and endomorphs. For the former, gaining muscle mass is a difficult and long process, for the latter – vice versa. The third ones differ in the amount and speed of fat accumulation. But this feature does not deprive ectomorphs or endomorphs of the opportunity to increase the wrist of the hand. You just need to assess your strengths sensibly and work hard.
Types of exercises
The only way to enlarge your wrist is to tackle the issue from all angles. It takes time to engage all of the muscles and ligaments to their full potential.
The following groups can be formed out of all exercises:
Type of exercises | Description |
Static exercises | Exercises that do not involve any movements are aimed at maintaining your own weight for a long period of time. In some cases, equipment can be used. Static exercises strengthen the understanding of your own body, teach you to control it. Despite their simplicity, they are quite common. Various types of yoga and Pilates are built on their basis. |
Armlifting exercises | The essence of armlifting is working with the arms ("arm" – hand, "lift" – to lift). This sport involves the use of weight: a projectile with a rotating handle. Lifting such a load involves the hands in work as much as possible. Armlifting can be considered a division that grew out of bodybuilding. Both areas are based on dynamic activity, which provides a powerful stimulus for muscle growth. |
Dynamic exercises | The basis of dynamic exercises is movement. Muscles are alternately tense and relaxed. This type of load is common and is considered the most effective in achieving some sports goals. For increasing the wrist, dynamic exercises are effective in combination with other loads. |
Isometric exercises | Isometric exercises are a type of statics. But they are performed with short-term tension and muscle work. But this does not mean that isometric exercises are less effective than static ones. During the short time that the body is working, the muscles experience maximum tension. Such activity creates a special effect on the growth of ligaments, strengthening them and making them wider. |
You can get the best results in the shortest amount of time by combining different exercise types. The loads will prepare the joints, ligaments, and muscles for even the hardest work.
Stretching
Stretching can be done after every exercise or in conjunction with a warm-up at the start of the workout. You must prepare your wrists for the load before extending them. You can accomplish this by making eight to ten circular rotations in each direction.
With the palm facing inward, one hand is held forward and bent at the wrist. For ten to fifteen seconds, the second hand applies light pressure to the outstretched hand. Next, the wrists need to be stretched, with eight to ten stretches needed for each hand.
Stretching the wrists on all fours will help at the end of the session. With your arms extended and your hands facing the floor when kneeling, adopt a straight posture. fingers aimed at the lower limbs. The body is slightly pulled back and returns to the opposite position when all limbs are used for support.
Hanging on the horizontal bar
One of the static exercises is to hang from the horizontal bar. To keep the body on the bar, as much as possible is done with the hands and forearms. Exercise duration is solely determined by physical capacity, but it should get longer with each session.
With an overhand grip on the bar, the hands are shoulder-width apart. The remainder of the body shouldn’t be tense. You must breathe consistently throughout the exercise, taking in breaths through your nose.
You can alternately hang on your right and then your left hand to make the exercise more difficult and intense. It’s important to stick to the pattern and avoid going overboard. It is advised to use magnesium or wear training gloves for comfortable execution.
Weight retention
By using more weight—bars, dumbbells, or weights—you can enlarge your wrist. You must stand up and place your feet shoulder-width apart in order to execute a weight hold. Lower your hands and grasp the projectile. Holding the projectile is crucial; do not drag your hands along with it. Utilizing the wrist’s strength and grip as much as possible is essential.
As with the previous exercise, the hold’s duration should increase with time and solely depends on physical fitness. Additionally, the equipment’s weight needs to be adjusted. However, the gradation ought to be fair and gradual. For instance, 1.5 kg weights are held for one, two, and five minutes. Next, a heavier projectile is used, which is held for one minute at first before being increased gradually.
Crunches
There is no sporting equipment needed to complete the exercise. You can do it while sitting or standing as long as you use your hands to complete the task. The hands are pulled slightly to the sides, away from the body, and straightened at the wrists. Working wrists need to be put back in their initial position.
Twisting may seem like an easy exercise, but it is best to practice it with each hand separately at first. It’s only after you fully understand how the muscles should contract that you’ll be able to execute crunches with both hands simultaneously.
You can gradually increase the weight to avoid slowing down the growth of muscle. For each hand, two to three repetitions of twenty to twenty-five approaches are advised.
Fist clenching
Clenching your fists will aid in enlarging your wrist. The proper execution of the exercise determines the physical potential of the entire arm, not just the hand. Starting stance: the fingers, excluding the thumb, are extended forward and brought together, with the palm straight. The next step is to make a fist with your fingers using your hand’s strength. Tensed and collected fingers are required.
Two sets of fifteen to twenty repetitions will be sufficient to initiate blood flow and guarantee lymphatic drainage prior to training. To relax the wrists in between heavy weight exercises, clench your fists.
Pancake clenching
Because it works the entire forearm and the radial muscle, this exercise is beneficial. Increasing the wrist’s volume will be severely hampered by a lack of muscle in this region.
You must hold 1 or 2 (depending on the weight) in one hand in order to perform a weighted squeezing. The equipment is set up so that it is parallel to the ground. Squats are done in this position to add difficulty to the workout. It is sufficient to complete two to three sets of ten repetitions in a single workout.
Exercises with a roller for wrists
A roller or other comparable apparatus should have a diameter of 5-7 cm and a length of 40-45 cm. Weights and kettlebells can be fastened to the roller to add more weight.
To turn the knuckles toward the ceiling, hold the roller slightly wider than the width of your shoulders. To concentrate all of the weight in the forearms, the elbows are slightly bent. Exercises using a roller are done on an elevation, such as a bench or chair, to avoid limiting range of motion.
One by one, using your hands, wind the load onto the roller and raise it. The hands should move in opposing directions and not in unison. You have to move in the opposite direction without stopping as soon as the projectile reaches the top.
An additional version of the exercise involves the use of a roller. You can carry it out on the floor while standing. The load will hang in the air, and you’ll need a rope that is shorter than the length for this. The hands are rotated up and down, holding the roller like a handlebar on a bicycle.
It’s best to begin with two sets of ten repetitions, regardless of the projectile’s weight. Both the inventory and the quantity of executions rise with time.
With dumbbells
Standing shoulder-width apart is required. You must set the dumbbells at hip level while holding them from below. The wrist’s strength should be used to lift the weight. Avert wrist strain that is too great.
For each hand, 2-3 sets of 10–15 repetitions are done. It is important to remember that the wrist and forearm should be worked during this exercise, not the biceps, as the projectile’s weight can be gradually increased. It is therefore preferable to save using large weights for a different workout.
With a wrist expander
Static and dynamic wrist expander exercises are available. The expander is squeezed in the hand for a predetermined period of time in the first scenario. You can increase the execution time to one minute by starting with ten seconds.
With an expander, dynamic exercises are continuous, equal-duration cycles (squeeze-relax). Strong exhalations and inhalations should be used in conjunction with the movements in order to prevent overexertion and provide the body with oxygen.
It is advised to switch between static and dynamic loads. This enables you to vary your exercise routine and encourages the uniform growth of muscle fibers and ligaments.
Push-ups on fists
You can’t make your wrist bigger if you don’t use your own weight. Consequently, basic push-ups aid in the efficient development of muscle. However, fist push-ups are even harder.
The only technical distinction between these two exercises is that the second requires you to rely on your fists. There is a variation of push-ups that you can perform with your fingers that has an even greater impact on your wrists.
The method is conventional. You don’t have to shift the entire weight onto your hands, even though the main objective is to enlarge your wrists. Although the head should be lowered to release tension in the neck, the back, abs, and hips should still be taut.
The only clarification: you need to pay closer attention to your elbows to avoid stress on the joints. To begin with, you can do push-ups at least once a day, but the number of repetitions should gradually increase.
Palm pressure
One of the easiest exercises to help enlarge your wrists is palm pressure. It works best at the start of the journey or as a warm-up before training because it is done without adding weight. Although it doesn’t try to build muscle, it does improve wrist strength and blood flow to the hands.
You must press the backs of your palms together in order to complete the exercise. Your hands will become more tense the more pressure you apply. You can’t go overboard because there won’t be any gains. To release tension in your wrists, move your hands in a series of circular motions in various directions after finishing the exercise.
Forearm pull towards you with weights
An example of an isometric load is this exercise. You’ll need a dense, non-stretchy fabric to perform. It is necessary that you stand erect, secure one end of the cloth with your foot, and place the other hand on the corresponding leg. The elbow should bend at a right angle and be next to the body. Pulling your forearm towards you will create tension without changing your body position.
You can begin by performing two to three repetitions for ten to fifteen seconds, then gradually increase the number of repetitions and execution time. You will need to replace the weight when the ligaments thicken and the muscles get stronger. Chains are used by some professional bodybuilders.
Because the exercise puts a lot of strain on the hand and forearm bones, you should only perform it twice a week. Time is always necessary for recovery.
Altering the hand’s position is another way to do the exercise. The same thing must be done, but you must turn your clenched fist to face upward. This guarantees the radial muscle group’s function and growth.
Breeding the arms to the side with weights
Both hands are used to hold the weight (a sports belt or thick cloth). For instance, the forearm is shifted to the side and the left shoulder is brought up against the body. The equipment is drawn towards the body by the forearm facing the left hand, which is also near the right shoulder.
It is advised to limit each hand’s repetitions to two to three per workout. Keeping an eye on the recovery regimen is also essential, given the high physical potential of isometric exercises.
With the right load, equipment, and your own body weight, you can increase the size of your wrist. If you stick to a regular training schedule, your arms will get stronger and your wrists more resilient with each session.
Exercise | Description |
Wrist Curls | Hold a dumbbell and curl your wrist upwards, then lower it slowly. Repeat for both hands. |
Reverse Wrist Curls | Similar to wrist curls but with your palms facing down. Lift the dumbbell upwards and lower slowly. |
Grip Strengthening | Use a hand gripper or squeeze a tennis ball to improve grip strength and build wrist muscles. |
Push-ups on Fists | Perform push-ups while balancing on your fists to increase wrist endurance and strength. |
Farmer"s Walk | Carry heavy weights in both hands and walk for a distance to build wrist stability and strength. |
It takes time and effort to strengthen your wrists and increase their volume. Wrist curls, reverse curls, and grip strengthening exercises are a few of the efficient ways to work the muscles surrounding your wrists.
To prevent injury, it’s crucial to start with smaller weights and concentrate on good form. To keep moving forward, gradually up the intensity as your strength increases. By combining these stretches with regular wrist exercises, you can maintain wrist flexibility and lower your risk of strain.
If you put in the effort, you can see results. You’ll notice that your wrists get stronger and more defined over time if you incorporate wrist exercises into your regular exercise regimen.
Exercises specifically designed to strengthen and develop the muscles surrounding the wrist and forearm can significantly improve wrist volume. Simple, efficient exercises that increase muscle mass, flexibility, and overall wrist size include grip-strengthening exercises, wrist curls, and reverse curls. The best results come from a balanced diet high in protein and these exercises performed consistently.