Is anyone else scrambling to find a last-minute gift for your fitness-enthused friends or loved ones? How about DIY Wrist Wraps?
By now, most stores and sites are not going to be able to fulfill your shipping order in timeso what do we do?
DIY Time!
I have been known to do a do-it-yourself project from time to time, but trying to build jerk boxes or a plyometric box for your loved ones would be kind of time-consuming and hard to hide (if you want it to be a surprise).
But not with this project! Today, we introduce the DIY Wrist Wrap!
This write-up is actually by one of our own in the Eo3 Nation, Dakota (the same guy who did the DIY Wheelbarrow and Sled 2-in-1). He has been around End of Three Fitness for a long time and whenever he sends me an idea, I know it is quality; you can hit him up at The Rally Point here.
Before we get into the project I want to first tell you why DIY Wrist Wraps may be a good idea. I have the big bulky pair of wrist wraps with Velcro that I use to protect my wrists in Olympic Lifts or anything really heavy overhead, but they are annoying. They are bulky and have to be pretty tight to work well. I like them for a single lifting session, but anything fast-moving involving a barbell, and the straps I have are more of a hassle than anything else.
These DIY Wrist Wraps are a great alternative to the bulky ones. They are also simple to use, just twist the material to easily tighten or loosen. You can change how restricting the wraps are to fit your needs.. This allows you to train Olympic lifting, power lifting, and GPP without wasting time wrapping and unwrapping.
It’s a great project to do yourself, but I feel I am rambling so
Take it away Dakota!
DIY Wrist Wraps
What You’ll Need:
- Sewing Machine
- Top Fabric (any design or style)
- Bottom fabric (any thick fabric that will not irritate skin, Denim, Canvas, Suede…)
- Thread (All Purpose will work fine)
- Para-Cord (550 Cord) or Shoe Laces
- Scissors
- Yard Stick or Tape Measure (Yard Stick is dual purpose, measures and a straight surface to cut along)
DIY Wrist Wraps Step One: Cutting
Take your chosen fabric and cut them to length and width desired (most wraps are 30″ to 35″ and 3″ wide), cut the fabric about an 1/8″ longer and wider than you intend; to leave room for any mistakes…then you can just trim it off later. I made a template out of cardboard to make my life easier (I’ve been making a lot of them!).
Take your 550 Cord, or shoe lace, and cut two, 16″ lengths (these will secure the wrap on your wrist)
DIY Wrist Wraps Step Two: Layering
Lay your Top Fabric over your Bottom Fabric ensuring they are lined up. You can use sewing pins to make sure the fabric stays in place while you’re sewing.
DIY Wrist Wraps Step Three: Sewing
Begin Sewing! Take your time and keep the stitch line close to the edge of the fabric’s edge, about 1/8″ to 1/16″ from the edge.
***DO NOT sew the end that has been tapered down, keep it open to allow you to attach the 550 Cord or Shoe Lace later.***
Now that you have sewn up both sides and the bottom of the wrap you need to sew a line straight down the center. About an inch inward from the bottom of the wrap is where you’ll start the center line. Sew down the center all the way to the tapered in, about an inch from the end, to leave room to put your 550 cord in.
Insert the 550 cord into the open tapered end and “butt” it up to the center line where you stopped. Now sew the cord into place, down the center, and then sew the end shut.
Now to sew along the edge again! I use an Applique Stitch along the outside to keep the edge of the wrap from fraying after repeated use, this is optional, but I suggest it as it will only make your wraps last longer!
DIY Wrist Wraps Step Four: Learn & Lift
If you have never used this style of wrist wrap before, it is pretty easy, but confusing the first time. Check out this video here if you want to know how to put them on.
Now get away from the sewing machine and lift some weight!
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There you have it! A very easy DIY project you can knock out today! I am all about DIY, but if you don’t have the sewing skills or time, Dakota has accumulated a surplus of these things and will be selling them well below all the big-name manufacturers. All profits go to Dakota, but he is also donating $5 to the Wounded Warrior Project.
If you are interested check out his page here, where he has a plethora of choices and he may even do some custom wraps if you reach out to him in The Rally Point.
Good luck with your last-minute holiday shopping (or DIY)!!
P.S.
If you DO want a last-minute e-Gift, check out the page I created to help you “gift” One Man One Barbell to friends and family; check it here.
If you haven’t noticed, I have been posting a lot less lately on the site. Why? Because The Mental Toughness Militia is coming soon! The pre-release sign-up page will be taken down in the next few days!
-Jerred