Last updated on : January 17th, 2023 at 03:10 pm
The question is: do you need hand wraps for boxing gloves? Although boxers do not require hand wraps, many fighters opt to wear them because they provide added hand protection and support.
But first, what is hand wrap? It is a type of cloth used to protect wrists and hands while participating in sports like boxing.
Typically, hand wraps are made of materials such as polyester, neoprene, and cotton. They are also available in various colors, including red, white, and black.
The standard price of hand wraps can range from 5 to 10 dollars. Commonly, hand wraps measure 5 centimeters in width and 2.5 meters in length. They are usually wrapped around your hands using the figure-eight pattern.
But that is not all. There is so much more about hand wraps that you should know before using them. Read below!
4 Easy Steps On How To Hand Wrap
Usually, hand wraps are worn before putting on the boxing gloves. There are various methods to wrap hands.
Your options include thumb wrap, figure-8 wrap, and the standard wrap. On average, a person can finish wrapping hands in two minutes.
Depending on the hand wrap type, you may follow the steps below.
Step #1. Wrap your hands
To wrap your hands properly, you can start wrapping the thumb area, followed by the wrist. Keep the fabric straight and flat.
Continue wrapping around the wrist area about three to four times. But this will depend on the length of your hand wrap.
Then, keep wrapping your hands around the knuckles until the base of your fingers.
Step #2. Anchor the wrap
Bring the wrap up again over your hands from the base of your fingers, crossing your fingers and knuckles.
Wrap it that way twice. Ensure that the fingers are being spread apart so that they can move.
Lastly, wrap the thumb area several times before anchoring it towards the wrist. It should end in that portion.
Step #3. Secure the wrap
Once you wrap your entire hands, you should secure the hand wrap using Velcro tape or a strap.
Take note that your hand wrap should not be too tight. Otherwise, it will impede proper blood circulation.
You should feel secure with your wrap, but at the same time, it should not cut off your blood flow.
Step #4. Throw some punches
Doing some light punches onto a heavy bag or punching bag would be a good practice to make sure you can move the hands inside the wrap.
It should also feel secure enough before you put on your boxing gloves
After putting on the hands wraps and the boxing gloves, you can already start with your training.
The Benefits Of Hand Wraps
There is a reason why many fighters opt to wear hand wraps first before wearing gloves, and that could be one or the combination of the following benefits.
Read below, and you might as well consider wearing hand wraps in the following training or sparring session. So, do you need hand wraps for boxing gloves?
#1. Prevents injury
As long as boxing hand wraps are used correctly, they would help prevent finger, wrist, and hand injuries.
They are typically used in protecting hands during combat sports such as boxing or MMA.
Furthermore, wrapping your hands would help prevent calluses and blisters. A person uses around three to four hand wraps every month.
This ensures his hands will be in good condition for the next match.
#2. Compress tissues and bones
If you use hand wraps, the tissues and bones on the hands will be compressed. This will maintain the alignment of your joints.
Since the tissues are being compressed, they will have more strength when punching.
#3. Increased hand support
The hand wrap also provides added support to your wrist.
This ensures that they are aligned correctly when it is not the right part of the hand that absorbs the punch impact of your opponent.
The support provided by this material is vital when sparring. Unlike a punching bag, you can predict where your punch will land.
With a sparring partner, your hands face unpredictable resistance, irregular striking, and positioning. This is where the support helps greatly.
#4. Keeps your hands dry
Another benefit of using hand wraps is their ability to absorb sweat.
This is one of the most common reasons many boxers use this fabric, especially those with sweaty hands.
A hand wrap helps keep your hands dry during a boxing match.
When To Hand Wrap For MMA?
The general rule is to put on hand wraps every time you wear MMA or boxing gloves. This is to make sure that you will train with maximum protection.
In most gyms, you are not allowed to hit a punching bag without wearing any protection underneath your gloves.
With that being said, it is best to get a pair of hand wraps.
You can get aa inner glove which would come in handy if you are in a hurry and has less time putting on a traditional wrap.
In the Muay Thai and boxing community, wearing hand wraps and boxing gloves has become common.
But some people are still surprised when they are advised to wear hand wraps under MMA gloves.
Typically, MMA gloves weigh about 4 ounces. Although they are designed to offer protection, they might not do the job right.
You can fit some hand wraps under your special MMA gloves. Just ensure that it will not hinder your grappling.
How To Choose The Right Hand Wrap?
Now that you know the benefits of hand wraps, you might have made up your mind and plan to buy a pair of hand wraps.
Perhaps, you did not know where to start, but you can consider the things below.
#1. Width and length
You must be aware of how much material you need. If you have bigger hands, you will need more to securely wrap them.
The standard width of wraps is two inches, but if you prefer thicker or thinner widths, there are plenty of them on the market.
#2. Fastening material
Most wraps are designed with Velcro straps because they are durable and easy to attach. This option is also practical.
Other fastenings used are gauze, tape, and hook fastening.
#3. Type cloth
Hand wraps come in various color and length options. You can get those reusable cloth wraps or elastic ones.
The latter can provide more stretch. Meaning to say, they will conform to your hands’ shape and allows more movement when boxing.
But then again, everything will depend on your personal preference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This section will answer the question frequently asked by boxers and athletes about hand wraps.
We decided to include this section on this post as you are likely interested to know the answer too.
So what are you waiting for? Scroll down!
#1. Are there some drawbacks to wearing hand wraps?
Although there are numerous benefits of putting on hand wraps underneath your gloves, there are also some drawbacks.
For one thing, wearing hand wraps might feel constricting and tight. This can cause reduced blood circulation.
Another thing is that they can cause more damage to your wrists and hands if you have not applied them correctly.
So if you do not know how to wear hand wraps, refer to the procedure above.
In case you are unsure about what you are doing, it would be better not to wear hand wraps.
Lastly, those hand wraps can be a bit expensive. You might purchase many of them if you do not keep them in good shape.
The same is true with boxing gloves. Ensure that your hand wraps can easily fit into the right size so you don’t have to repurchase them anytime soon.
Ensure to read the boxing gloves size guide carefully.
#2. How would you know if your hand wraps are too tight?
If you apply your hand wraps too tight, you will feel numbness, tingling, and pain in your fingers or hands.
Sometimes, you might find it hard to open and close your hands. Any of the symptoms above are signs of the hand wraps constricting your movements.
In such cases, you will need to loosen them.
#3. When should you replace your hand wraps?
Generally, you should replace your hand wraps every three to six months. This will depend on the frequency of use.
Using the fabric frequently would require you to buy a replacement more often. So, it would also be a good idea to keep extra hand wraps.
#4. What could happen if you do not wear hand wraps?
Suppose you do not wear hand wraps when training or sparring. In that case, you will risk developing injuries like bruises, cuts, and knuckle abrasions.
As mentioned a few times in this article, hand wraps help protect your hands against injuries.
It provides them with another layer of support and padding.
Furthermore, hand wraps also help in improving your grip on the striking surface.
With this, slipping will be prevented, and your overall performance will be improved.
#5. Can you use hand wraps for other activities other than boxing?
Yes, hand wraps are not only used in boxing. They are also used in many activities such as CrossFit, weightlifting, and even yoga.
Although hand wraps are not required in any of those activities, they are helpful because they provide your hands and wrists with support.
Other than that, hand wraps can absorb sweat and keep your hands dry when doing intense activities.
It’s A Wrap!
Do you need hand wraps for boxing gloves? Again, you are not required to wear hand wraps underneath your boxing gloves.
However, wearing them correctly would be a great help in preventing injuries as well as in improving your performance.
If you are to train or fight in a match, ensure to remember all the things discussed above hand wraps.
Hopefully, you can put them on the right and perform well in your match. Be safe and good luck!