Would an axle help with wrist pain while doing presses?

[drakelewis095]

Hey guys, new guy here, just got back into strength training after 10 years (check out my log!)

 

So I’m very happy with my new gym, (lots of squat racks/power towers, tons of different barbells/weights). When I signed up the kid that was helping me said “the owners here are really cool too, if there’s any equipment you think would help you train, just ask and they’ll probably get it”. So I’m thinking about seeing if they’ll get a real two inch axle.

When I was training 10 years ago, I actually wanted to eventually get into strong man, so I actually had an axle I trained with near the end. But obviously right now I’m pretty far away from the point of needing to train with an axle, but I was thinking about it, and would the bar being thicker be easier on my wrist for bench and overhead pressing? I’m asking because my right wrist is just messed up (weightlifting mishap 10 years ago that didn’t heal right). I went to see a specialist in Nashville two days ago, and he said my only option for the pain is to essentially put a rod through it, making mobility in my wrist nonexistent (I could still grip things, but any flexion/extension/lateral movement would be out. But it’s pretty bad, there’s a place that’s supposed to be one bone that is 4, it’s got “bone cysts”(gross lol), and is severely arthritic. So I’ve been doing dumbbells for standing overhead, and bench has been going ok, but it will eventually become a limiting factor.

What do you guys think? It would also just be awesome to have an axle haha. Thank you!

 

 

 

[Blacksmith513]

16 minutes ago, drakelewis095 said:

Hey guys, new guy here, just got back into strength training after 10 years (check out my log!)

 

So I’m very happy with my new gym, (lots of squat racks/power towers, tons of different barbells/weights). When I signed up the kid that was helping me said “the owners here are really cool too, if there’s any equipment you think would help you train, just ask and they’ll probably get it”. So I’m thinking about seeing if they’ll get a real two inch axle.

When I was training 10 years ago, I actually wanted to eventually get into strong man, so I actually had an axle I trained with near the end. But obviously right now I’m pretty far away from the point of needing to train with an axle, but I was thinking about it, and would the bar being thicker be easier on my wrist for bench and overhead pressing? I’m asking because my right wrist is just messed up (weightlifting mishap 10 years ago that didn’t heal right). I went to see a specialist in Nashville two days ago, and he said my only option for the pain is to essentially put a rod through it, making mobility in my wrist nonexistent (I could still grip things, but any flexion/extension/lateral movement would be out. But it’s pretty bad, there’s a place that’s supposed to be one bone that is 4, it’s got “bone cysts”(gross lol), and is severely arthritic. So I’ve been doing dumbbells for standing overhead, and bench has been going ok, but it will eventually become a limiting factor.

What do you guys think? It would also just be awesome to have an axle haha. Thank you!

 

 

 

I've heard that Axle bench is easier on the wrists but I couldn't tell you from experience. 

[drakelewis095]

3 minutes ago, Blacksmith513 said:

I've heard that Axle bench is easier on the wrists but I couldn't tell you from experience. 

Thank you! Yeah, that’s what I’ve been reading 

[Fist of Fury]

Grip the bar correctly. That will help you, otherwise if that doesn't work use wrist wraps.

 

[slazbob]

I grip the bar the way Starting Strength recommends…it’s almost like you form a triangle with the thumbs and index fingers and your wrists stay pretty neutral. The bar sits on the heels of the hands…very stable. 
that’s for overhead, I think they recommend it for the bench press, too but I feel awkward with it.

[Busa]

Sorry about your mishap, is there any chance that lifting weight will add strength and stability to your wrist? If not then I would think wrist straps are a worthwhile choice to help the rest of your body gain strength. Maybe you could also give fat grips a try on a standard bar a go see how that works for you.

Of course the text book answer I would really seek guidance from some sort of sports physio who can look at your problem in the flesh. The last thing you want is to aggravate it.

[Blacksmith513]

4 hours ago, drakelewis095 said:

Hey guys, new guy here, just got back into strength training after 10 years (check out my log!)

 

So I’m very happy with my new gym, (lots of squat racks/power towers, tons of different barbells/weights). When I signed up the kid that was helping me said “the owners here are really cool too, if there’s any equipment you think would help you train, just ask and they’ll probably get it”. So I’m thinking about seeing if they’ll get a real two inch axle.

When I was training 10 years ago, I actually wanted to eventually get into strong man, so I actually had an axle I trained with near the end. But obviously right now I’m pretty far away from the point of needing to train with an axle, but I was thinking about it, and would the bar being thicker be easier on my wrist for bench and overhead pressing? I’m asking because my right wrist is just messed up (weightlifting mishap 10 years ago that didn’t heal right). I went to see a specialist in Nashville two days ago, and he said my only option for the pain is to essentially put a rod through it, making mobility in my wrist nonexistent (I could still grip things, but any flexion/extension/lateral movement would be out. But it’s pretty bad, there’s a place that’s supposed to be one bone that is 4, it’s got “bone cysts”(gross lol), and is severely arthritic. So I’ve been doing dumbbells for standing overhead, and bench has been going ok, but it will eventually become a limiting factor.

What do you guys think? It would also just be awesome to have an axle haha. Thank you!

 

 

 

Here's another form of "bench pressing" that David Horne uses...  Maybe it would also aggravate your injury. Not sure. But just wanted to throw this out there...

[dubyagrip]

Pressing with axles takes pressure off my wrists, but it seems to fry my triceps faster.  Wrist wraps are probably a better, cheaper option.  

[Aroostook Barbell]

  If you have an orthopedic issue that we’re not versed in, then unfortunately  it’s hard for anyone but a specialist to address the best way to help.  
  Unfortunately the low hanging fruit may be to do what doesn’t cause you pain, and avoid what does. Certainly lots of things can help (regular rice bucket work, Bandbell work, tons of band work, etc), but unfortunately when it comes to loading joints, once you understand exactly what the issue is, you just have to do the best you can with whatever allows you to continue this crazy passion that we all love.
 Let us know what you discover works for you over time. Might help others here. Good luck man. 

[drakelewis095]

Thank you guys for all the advice! Will definitely try some of the stuff out. I think for the moment I’ll just get some wrist straps and continue with the dumbbell overhead presses. As far as bench, that’s doesn’t seem to bother it as much, so you I hope that if I grip it correctly and where a strap, that’ll help. Might also get some fat gripz because, I mean why not lol. 

[orveprecision]

For me using fat bars instead of 25-28mm bars works great for palm pain during presses. But it reduces the load I can use by a few kg.

Edited August 4 by orveprecision

[Slipshod]

A wider bar spreads the force over a larger area making specific pressures lower. It's the same reason that wider handled grippers feel less painful in the hand than narrower handles even when the force exerted is the same.

I am not a physiologist but I would imagine you might have some sort of imbalance, tendon issue or even osteoarthritis underlying your problem with benching using a regular bar where focused pressure is aggravating it significantly. It may be worth seeing a specialist to find out more.