Like any other sport, boxing also has its own specific gear that helps to improve the athlete's performance. Handwraps are one of the most important pieces of a boxer's training. They are fabric strips that wrap around the hand, wrist and knuckles, before putting on the boxing gloves. Hand wraps are important because they prevent pain and injury by supporting the muscles and tiny bones of the hands and the wrist, and protecting the skin from cuts and abrasions.
Hand wraps for boxing come in various lengths, but the most common are usually between 108 inches and 180 inches. Traditional cotton hand wraps are non-stretchy, shorter and easier for beginners to use, while Mexican-style hand wraps are slightly longer and elastic. The stretchiness allows the hand wrap to fit closely with minimized space between each fabric layer.
You can choose the style and length that works best for you, but make sure that your hand wraps are covering all the essential parts of your hand and wrist.
If you don't know how to wrap your hands, the following guide will offer you a general way to wrap your hand properly to ensure utmost protection, comfort, and support during your training.
How to Wrap Your Hands
1. Begin by spreading one hand out in front of you. Then find the loop at the end of the hand wrap and put your thumb through the loop. Remember to keep your fingers spread wide apart during the entire wrapping process - your wrap shouldn't be so tight because you'll cut off circulation to your hands.
2. Wrap it around the back of your wrist at least three times and finish with the wrap on the inside of your wrist.
3. Bring the hand wrap up diagonally across the back of your hand.
4. Bring the wrap down across your palm and wrap it three times around your knuckles.
5. Now, bring the hand wrap down across your palm and wrap it at least three times completely around your knuckles.
6. Then flip your hand over so that your palm is facing away from you and bring the wrap diagonally towards your wrist.
7. Wrap it around the wrist once more and finish on the inside of your wrist near your thumb.
8. Bring the hand wrap diagonally across the back of your hand and put in between the thumb and forefinger.
9. Flip your hand over so that the palm is now facing you and bring the wrap diagonally across your palm towards your wrist.
10. Now, bring the wrap down around your wrist and finish with the wrap pointing up.
11. With your palm facing towards you, bring the wrap diagonally across your palm and then bring it directly across and between your thumb and forefinger.
12. Flip your hand over again and run the wrap towards your wrist.
13. Wrap it once around your wrist and finish with the hand wrap pointing up.
14. Flip your hand over so that your palm is facing you and bring the wrap down diagonally away from you.
15. Wrap your hand once around your knuckles finishing with the palm side diagonally towards you.
16. Flip your hand over so that the palm is away from you and then, bring the wrap diagonally towards you across the back of your hand.
17. Bring the hand wrap down and around your wrist once, finishing with the wrap pointing up.
18. Bring the wrap diagonally across the back of the hand and flip your hand over, wrapping it around your knuckles again.
19. Bring the hand wrap between your thumb and forefinger. Then bring it down diagonally across your palm towards you.
20. Wrap it around your wrist and place it diagonally away from you across your palm. Wrap around your knuckles again and bring it towards you.
21. Wrap around your wrist and attach the Velcro to hold the hand wrap securely in place.
22. Now that you have a finished product, simply switch hands and do the other one the same way. Remember that wrapping your hand takes practice and patience, and if you can't do it on your own, ask someone to help you out.
