Starting out with wraps.

[Skeletor]

So I've bit the bullet and started using wraps with today being my first time going heavyish.  Obviously the feeling is something I'm going to need to get used to because damn all I wanted to do was take them off and I didn't even pull them tight like I see on the net.  Only did 3 reps being 200, 220 and 240 but would think 250 minimum if form stays right. How do you guys who use them work them into training. Warm up in sleeves and just do your heavy singles or do you do all work sets above a set number in them?  Do you use them every squat session or week on week off sort of thing. Will I lose raw strength if I don't do some heavy sessions in sleeves? 

[maccaz]

ask your coach when he recommends you use them.

for me, wookie tells me what sets are wrapped and which aren't.

 

i consider it a very different movement, i almost consider wrapped squat "equipped "in terms of the difference i feel.

 

usually my programming will have me squatting 1x a week no wraps, and 1x a week in wraps

 

if i was just winging it, id wear wraps from maybe 190-200 + 

[Skeletor]

I've finished my program with him now so feel kinda rude asking .  I will do another one though. 

[soundsgood]

I squatted reasonably heavy for years with bare knees.  They are pretty shot now so I feel like I have to have something on them at all times 

 

Warmup sets from just the bar up to 220kg I use knee sleeves.  Then I use knee wraps from there on up.  So if I'm only going to be working up to sets with 220 it will be sleeves only, no wraps that session.

 

As Maccaz alluded to its a different movement to squatting bare knees or even in sleeves (well it should be if you want to get the most out of them).  

 

Will you lose 'raw strength'?  Maybe?  Who cares?  If you're a powerlifter then all that matters is how much you lift on the platform lol.  For what it's worth I think my quads are slightly smaller than when i was bodybuilding and not relying on knee wraps for heavy squats.  If you squat correctly in wraps you will incorporate more hams and glutes when you sit back into the squat.

 

The tightness of the wrap and style of wrap is dependant on how much I'm trying to get from the wrap vs how much I'm trying to work the muscle.  And how many reps.  Trying to do a set of 12 in tight wraps will make you want to chop your legs off lol.  

 

It it will take you some time to get used to wraps, I still wince during my Comp wraps but they are a really useful tool at you disposal to add to your total do it pays to get used to them. 

[bang_bang]

I'm in the same boat as you just starting out with wraps. I think I was the only male gpc member not using them? My first experience last year wasn't a good one I used stiff wraps and had someone do them up tight as f*ck. One half rep and my calves were so sore and bruised I could barely walk for days.

 

Got myself some soft training wraps now (blue slingshots) and although I'm not getting much out of them I'm getting used to using wraps without it being too unpleasant. Next I'll step up to some well worn stiffer wraps then get some new ones to use for last couple heavy sessions and at meet.

[Realtalk]

You will get used to them. I started back in wraps 6 weeks ago. I couldn't bare them for more than 3 reps on 235kg. I hadn't used them since September last year. Now I can wrap myself and stand in them for as long as I really please and do 8 reps ok with 230 the other day. I take my belt off first after my set before my wraps now. Anyway just basically saying you'll get used to it.

 

this what happens when someone wrapped my knees in Vegas so tight I couldn't walk. Gave me nothing more in the squat than my self wrapped moderate wrapping. Looking back it probably actually hindered my squat cause was so fuckinh sore lol.

[BeastBuilder]

I only use wraps in my comp preps, no point using them in my "offseason". If I get my Squat in Sleeves up then my Wrapped Squat will be better is my logic, and offseason I train much more bodybuilding style so it's more about the muscle than the movement.

 

Even then I'll just wrap for say anything over 230kg odd. Like that was my week one working sets this prep.

Even now with my heavier weights I warm up to 220kg bare knees, my last warm up is around 230-260kg atm so I'll wrap light for that and then get into working sets and wrap tighter depending on the weight.

 

I think any leg size you would lose is likely to be from focusing more on weight and not doing high rep, intense sets that Quads love, and less volume obviously. But it is likely you're Hams and Glutes would grow instead from heavier, lower reps and more powerlifting style technique. You won't lose any "Raw" strength I wouldn't say, but like SG said, your aim is to have the biggest number possible on comp day and whatever way you look at it that will be in wraps.

 

[bang_bang]

Tom lee claimed he got 40-50kg out of wraps. Id be interested to know what others get out of them