1. Wrap It Up
Boxing is all about the hands. The sport centers around repeatedly throwing hard-hitting punches, making handwraps a necessity. These cotton wraps avert injury and damage by safeguarding your wrists, knuckles, thumbs and bones. In fact, unless they use boxing hand wraps, boxers often can't train, spar or fight competitively in many gyms and venues.
2. Multiple Choices Available
Handwraps are available for all hand sizes. Cloths measuring 3 inches wide and 10 feet long are the perfect size for small hands. Medium to large hands require 14 feet wraps. Children's sizes also are available. Handwraps come in various styles and colors. The classic hook and loop wrap represents the industry standard. Mexican-style cloths offer elasticity for a more contoured fit. Gel-shock handwraps feature a rubber inner wrap that secures a gel-padded layer to your knuckles. Quick wraps are just that. Designed like a fingerless glove, the foam padding protects your hands and knuckles.
3. Handwraps 101
Follow these steps to perform basic handwrapping. With your palm face down extend your fingers and put your thumb inside the wrap's loop. Wrap your wrist several times and then cover your thumb. Alternate bringing the wrap around your wrist and thumb three times. Extend your fingers to cover your knuckles. Go across your palm, around your knuckles a few times and then back around your wrist. Protect your fingers by pulling the wrap in between your ring and middle fingers, over your thumb and across your knuckles. Continue wrapping until there's just enough material left to circle your wrist. Fasten the Velcro closure. Look for the side of your wrap marked "This Side Down" to be sure your wrap ends with the Velcro closure facing up. Clench your fist throughout your wrapping to ensure proper tightness.
4. Variations on a Theme
Once you master the basic technique, you can experiment with other wrapping methods. Protect your fingers by bringing the cloth between your index and middle fingers, your middle and ring fingers and your ring finger and pinky. Alternate wrapping around your thumb and between your fingers, and cover your knuckles and wrist until there is no more cloth. Secure the Velcro closure. The ribbon method of wrapping is best for children because not as much material stays in the palm and bunching is reduced. After covering the knuckles, use a back and forth motion to form a "ribbon" pattern over them. Repeat for several layers and finish the wrap described in Handwraps 101.
5. Multiple Points of Purchase
Pick up a pair of hand wraps at your local sporting goods or retail store, a boxing gym or online, especially for the more specialized styles. Make sure you buy the right length for your hand size. Machine wash your cloths in cold water and line dry to avoid knotting. Invest in multiple pairs if you use them more than twice a week.
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