Every boxer has a daily ritual of wrapping their hands before training or competing. When done correctly, it is a simple form of art but it isn’t just about looks. Hand wraps have been around for centuries and are typically used to protect a boxer’s hand from injury. Some boxers even use hand wraps to cheat but we don’t recommend it.
Most boxers have their own preferred way of wrapping their hands. It is a good idea to experiment and find the wrap style that protects your hands the best. The instructions provided below are certainly not the only or even best way to wrap your hands but it’s a good place to start.
Why is it important to wrap your hands?
There are a variety of reasons why a boxer wraps their hands but the main reason is to prevent injury. The wraps do not protect the hands from impact (that’s what a glove is for) but they do keep the fist in proper form. It also supports the wrist by keeping it aligned while punching. This distributes the impact evenly along the arm preventing fractures and sprains. The base of the thumb is also supported by the wrap which strengthens the metacarpus. A common injury among boxers is a fracture along the metacarpus but the wrap can keep the thumb in the proper place and prevent this injury.
Hand wraps are used to keep the fist tight so they can hit with a greater force. Most boxers say that they feel stronger with the hand wraps and they can punch harder. They also report less pain with their hands wrapped. Obviously, you don’t have to wrap your hand to box but why would you want to risk injuring your hand, wrist or arm?
Tips for Choosing a Hand Wrap
When you go to buy a hand wrap, you will notice that there are hundreds of different brands, types and styles. The one that will work best for you will depend on the size of your hands and the type of boxing you will be doing. Consider these tips when shopping for a hand wrap:
Cloth Hand Wraps: Cotton wraps are the most common types of wraps available. They come in a variety of colors, lengths and widths and are often secured at the end with Velcro. The brand of cotton wrap you choose will depend on personal preference. Below you can check out our recommendation.
Tape and Gauze: Tape and gauze is typically used to wrap the hands for competition. The rulebook given to you before the match will state exactly how much padding you can use. This prevents cheating during the match. It is much harder to wrap your hands with tape and gauze and many boxer prefer to have a coach or trainer wrap their hands for them.
Mexican Wraps: Mexican wraps are perfect for training. They are often made of cotton and woven with elastic. This makes them much more flexible and easier to use. They will mold to the hands which makes them more comfortable for long training sessions. Over time, the elastic gets worn down so they will need to be replaced regularly.
Gel Wraps: Gel wraps are a relatively new type of wrap that isn’t really a wrap. It looks like a very thin glove with the fingers cut off. They are more expensive than other type of wraps but they are the easiest to use. They don’t offer very much support and are unpopular among serious boxers.
Length and Width: If you decide to go with cotton wraps, which is what we recommend, then you will need to figure out the length and width you need. The length of a hand wrap is typically between 108 and 210 inches in length. The longer wraps offer more support and are good for those with large hands or are planning on sparring. If you have small hands, choose a smaller wrap. The width of the wrap is typically 2 inches but there are wider varieties out there. Some people like having a wider wrap as it has more grip but most boxers choose to just go with the 2 inch width.
Our Favorite Hand Wrap
Meister Adult 180″ Hand Wraps for MMA & Boxing
We highly recommend the Meister Adult Hand Wraps. For less than ten dollars you get two 180 inch rolls of boxing hand wrap. These wraps are made of a high quality cotton and spandex that will conform to your hand comfortably, yet provide you with all the protection you need. The thumb loop will keep the wrap snug while the Velcro end will secure the wrap into place. There are a variety of colors to choose from so you can coordinate with your boxing gloves or use your favorite color. The main reason why we love these wraps is the elastic gives them a little stretch which is what makes them so comfortable and easy to work with.
How to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing in 10 Easy Steps
1. Unroll the Wrap. Each hand wrap will have a thumb loop at one end and a Velcro enclosure at the other end. Make sure that the Velcro end is facing down. There is nothing worse than getting to the end and realizing that the Velcro is upside down.
2. Place your thumb in the thumb loop. Your hand should be facing palm down and the wrap should be lying along the back of your hand. (View the video below if you get confused)
3. Wrap your wrists. While keeping your wrists straight and flat, wrap around the wrists tightly 3 or 4 times. The hand wrap should lay flat and there should be no wrinkles. The wrap should be just under the thumb.
4. Wrap your knuckles. Take the excess hand wrap and cross it over the hand to the knuckles. Spread out your fingers while wrapping your knuckles twice. This will pull your knuckles together when you make a fist. The wrap should be sitting under your hand.
5. Wrap your thumb. Cross the wrap down to the base of your thumb and wrap around the thumb once or twice. Do not make it too tight or you will cut off circulation to the thumb.
6. Anchor your thumb to your wrist. This can be accomplished by wrapping around your wrist one time.
7. Wrap the knuckles – again. Cross the wrap along the back of the hand and up to the knuckles. Wrap the knuckles a couple more times until you have 20 inches of wrap left over.
8. Wrap the wrists – again. Cross the wrap under your hand and back to the wrist. Wrap around your wrists until you have no more wrap left.
9. Secure the Velcro. Create a snug fit by securing the Veclro around your wrist.
10. Try it out. Make sure that the wrap is not too tight or too lose. When you make a fist, your knuckles should be covered and should crunch together. The wrist should be supported with little flexibility. If you can bend your wrist, the wrap is not tight enough. If you need more knuckle support, you can also wrap in between your fingers as the video suggests.
