How to Wrap Your Hands and Why It’s Crucial for Boxing and Combat Sports
In boxing, kickboxing, or any combat sport, protecting your hands is crucial. Your hands are your primary tools in these sports, and ensuring their safety should be a top priority. Hand wraps, often overlooked, are indispensable. Here’s why you should always wear them under your boxing gloves and a step-by-step guide on how to put them on.
The Importance of Hand Wraps
Hand wraps protect the small bones, tendons, and ligaments in your hands. They also provide additional wrist support, helping to stabilize your hands during intense strikes. Here are the key reasons to use them:
Injury Prevention: Repeated impacts can lead to fractures or ligament damage. Hand wraps absorb part of the shock, reducing the risk of injuries.
Improved Stability: Hand wraps compress the hand, keeping fingers, knuckles, and wrist aligned for proper striking technique.
Extended Glove Life: Hand wraps absorb sweat, reducing wear and tear inside your gloves and keeping them fresher for longer.
Comfort and Confidence: Properly wrapped hands feel secure, boosting your confidence and allowing you to focus on training or competition.
How to Wrap Your Hands
Wearing hand wraps correctly is just as important as using them. Incorrect wrapping can lead to discomfort and even injury. Here’s a simple guide:
Start with the Thumb Loop: Begin by securing the loop around your thumb and wrapping the fabric over your hand.
Secure the Wrist: Wrap the fabric multiple times around your wrist to stabilize it.
Cross the Palm: Bring the wrap across your palm and back to your wrist to anchor the base of your hand.
Separate the Fingers: Wrap the fabric between each finger to keep them stable and separated.
Cover the Knuckles: Wrap the fabric several times over your knuckles for extra cushioning.
Finish at the Wrist: Secure the remaining fabric around your wrist and fasten it with the Velcro.
Watch the Video for Step-by-Step Instructions
We understand that learning how to wrap your hands can be tricky at first. To make it easier, we’ve included a video demonstration below that shows each step in detail:
Final Tips
Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t worry if your first attempts feel awkward. With practice, wrapping your hands will become second nature.
Invest in Quality Wraps: High-quality wraps are more durable and provide better protection. Look for breathable materials for added comfort.
Wash Regularly: To maintain hygiene and extend the life of your wraps, wash them after each use.
Wearing hand wraps is a simple yet effective way to protect your hands and maximize your performance. Take a few extra minutes to wrap your hands before every session—your hands will thank you!
Discover Philippe Neidhart, owner of CombatCorner.ch, a passionate enthusiast of boxing, MMA, fitness, and weightlifting, and an expert in the use and selection of combat sports equipment.