The HGG Performance Wrist Axe is a wrist and forearm strengthener.
There’s two pieces to it: a handle and a loading sleeve.
It looks like a short mace but this is plate loaded so it’s adjustable.
Let’s check it out!
UPDATE
HGG Performance went out of business so this product is no longer available at their website.
For an alternative wrist bar from ATG equipment, click the red button below.
Unboxing
The handle and loading sleeve come detached.
They’re seal and bubble wrapped and surrounded by packing peanuts.
And of course, it also comes with a clamp.
HGG Performance always does a good job protecting their products.
I have several of their products (Nordic Bar, Tib Bar, IsoTib, and Landmine) and they all came in similar packaging.
Assembly
Assembly is straight forward, just screw the two pieces together.
The loading sleeve has the male piece and the handle is the female.
Just turn the loading sleeve clock wise on to the handle until it’s tight and you’re ready to roll.
First Impression
Aesthetically, it’s a beauty.
The stainless steel sleeve and black powder coat handle go well together.
The laser cut HGG branding and mustache are a staple in their products.
I like the handle’s slightly textured feel.
Makes it feel secure.
I’ll be testing it out to see how my grip feels once I add weight plates to it.
The chrome sleeve looks clean.
I do like that HGG Performance uses stainless steel on their weight sleeves so weight plates don’t scratch them up as much.
Plastic end caps fit tightly on both the sleeve and handle.
Specs
- Overall length: ~ 18″ long
- Weight sleeve: 2″ diameter, ~6″ long, stainless steel
- Handle: 11.5″ long, black powder coat textured finish
Compatibility
The Wrist Axe weight sleeve is 2″ (50 mm) in diameter, so it’s compatible with Olympic sized plates (iron plates or bumper plates)
And you don’t even need a lot of weight to feel your wrists and forearms working because the long handle puts you at a disadvantage.
Using change plates like 5 lbs, 2.5 lbs, or less is gonna be enough.
I’d even say you could start with fractional plates like the ones from Micro Gainz if you’ve never used a wrist axe before.
This way you can get your wrists stronger gradually.
You don’t wanna start too heavy from the get go or you risk injury.
Exercises
Just like the IsoTib lets you train your ankles in all ranges of motion, the Wrist Axe does the same for your wrists.
Here’s a few exercises you can do with it.
I haven’t tried wrist rolls with the axe and some bands yet, but it’s on my to do list.
Pronation
Start with your palm facing up.
Turn your forearm until your palm faces down.
Supination
Start with your palm facing down.
Turn your forearm until your palm faces up.
Wrist Extension
Start with your wrist bent down (palm facing down), hand below forearm level.
Bend your wrist up, until your hand ends above forearm level.
Wrist Flexion
Start with your wrist bent down (palm facing up), hand below forearm level.
Bend your wrist up, until your hand ends above forearm level.
Ulnar Flexion
Grab the Wrist Axe by its end with the weight hanging and behind you.
Bend your wrist up towards your pinky.
Radial Flexion
Grab the Wrist Axe by its end with the weight hanging in front of you.
Bend your wrist up towards your thumb.
Circles
Make circles clockwise, repeat counter-clockwise.
Wrist Rolls
To make this into a wrist roller, I remove the loading sleeve from the wrist axe.
Grab a heavier weight plate and run a heavy duty resistance band through the center hole.
Now wrap the other end of the band around the middle of the handle.
Then roll your wrists to bring the weight up.
And roll them the opposite way to lower the weight.
Add Fat Gripz
I also added Fat Gripz to the handle.
Making the handle thicker challenges your grip more so the exercises become more difficult.
What I Like
- Long handle: Increase/decrease difficulty. The further you grab it from the plates, the more leverage you lose, and the harder it gets.
- Plate loaded: Instead of just having a ball at the end like a mace, using weight plates makes it adjustable.
- Wrist/forearm strength: Strengthens the wrists and forearms from all angles, increases range of motion too.
- Quality: Like all HGG Performance products, the material and build is top notch
Recommended Improvements
If I was to improve something on the HGG Performance Wrist Axe, I would add knurling to the handle.
And no, the handle’s textured finish does not slip.
I would just prefer a knurled handle that would make it feel grippier.
Wrist Axe Discount Code
HGG Performance currently sells the wrist axe for $92.
But you know I hook you up as often as I can.
I negotiated a deal with the Home Gym Guys so you’re not gonna pay full price.
Click here and use coupon code SHREDDED at checkout for a 10% discount.
HGG Performance Wrist Axe Review
If you have weak wrists and forearms, I would recommend getting a wrist axe.
Instead of having a fixed weight like a mace, it’s plate loaded so it’s adjustable.
The quality of the material is top notch so it will last.
Combining all the exercises above with dead hangs from a pull up bar or rings should give you killer grip and wrist strength.
Check Out the HGG Performance Wrist Axe
HGG Performance Wrist Axe
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What is the unloaded weight of the Wrist Axe (w/ and w/o the clamp)?
Hey Bob!
Wrist axe alone – 650g
Sleeve – 250g
Clamp – 200g
Total weight 1.1kg
Looks cool… Why would this be different to just using a light dumbbell though?
You can work out your forearms and wrist in different ways.
If you have spin lock adjustable dumbbells where you can load one end, then yeah you could do the same.
This is just another option that can be adjusted with little or high weight from one end.