Should You Wrap Your Hands for Boxing: To Wrap or Not to Wrap Your Hands
Should You Wrap Your Hands In Your Boxing Gloves?
“Do I need to wear hand wraps in my boxing gloves?”
YES. You need wraps in your boxing gloves! Wearing hand wraps under your boxing gloves is as sacred as donning those gloves before stepping into the ring or starting a training session.
There are two types of wraps you can wear under your boxing gloves.
Hand wraps: These are long strips of cloth that you wrap around your hands, wrists, and knuckles in a specific way to provide protection and support.
Quick wraps: These are a newer type of hand wraps that are glove-like and made from stretchy material that conforms to the shape of your hands.
Benefits of Wearing Wraps Under Your Boxing Gloves
Alt: hand wrapped in boxing hand wrap
Wearing hand wraps under your boxing gloves improves your performance and prevents injuries. Here are the main benefits of having wraps under your boxing gloves.
Hand Wraps Provide Protection
Wraps protect your hands from the impact of punching, which can cause fractures, sprains, cuts, and bruises.
They also distribute the impact forces evenly, reducing strain on specific areas and allowing for more efficient punches
They support and protect your wrists, which are vulnerable to bending or twisting when you throw a punch with impact.
Wraps also prevent your knuckles from rubbing against the inside of your gloves, which can cause skin irritation or blisters.
Hand Wraps Offer Stability
Wraps stabilize your hand and wrist joints, which improve your punching power and accuracy.
They help in forming a tight fist. A tight fist prevents your fingers from bending or curling when you punch.
Wraps also reduce the risk of your gloves slipping or rotating on your hands, which can affect your grip and control.
Hands Wraps Offer Comfort
Wraps make your hands feel more comfortable when training. They absorb sweat and moisture from your hands, which keeps your gloves dry and clean.
They also provide some cushioning and warmth for your hands, which reduce the shock and coldness of punching.
Wearing hand wraps will also promote your confidence as you are psychologically aware that your hands are secured.
After knowing all the benefits of hand wraps, where then can you get quality hand wraps for your boxing gloves?
For women boxers, Tussle is your go-to partner for quality boxing gear for beginners, intermediate, and experienced boxers. Our hand wrap is made of stretchy cotton material and is 140 inches long. The perfect length for a woman’s hand!
How to Wrap Your Hands with Handwraps
Caption: how to wrap your hands
Wrapping your hands might seem complicated at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature. Here are steps to follow to get your wrap right.
Step 1: Place the loop of the wrap over your thumb and begin to unroll the wrap across the back of your hand.
Step 2: Wrap around your wrist 3-4 times, depending on the size of your hands. Ensure it's snug and not too tight.
Step 3: Wrap across the back of your hand and around your knuckles. Repeat this 3-4 times.
Step 4: Wrap once around your thumb, then bring the wrap back across the back of your hand. Then wrap it between your fingers, starting from the small finger and the ring finger and ending with the index finger.
Wrap between the fingers once or twice. This will depend on your hand size and the length of your hand wrap.
Wrapping around the fingers separates them, preventing them from cramping.
Step 5: Finish by wrapping any remaining length around your wrist. Secure the wrap with the velcro at the end of your hand wrap.
Wrap-Free Boxing Gloves Options
Alt: woman boxer wearing boxing gloves without hand wraps
While most boxing gloves require hand wraps, some alternatives can do without the traditional hand wraps. But this is only applicable if your training involves minimal impact, such as light bag work to work on speed, accuracy and technique as well as shadow boxing.
These gloves have built-in padding and wrist support, eliminating the need for hand wraps.
Remember, wearing gloves without hand wraps will not provide the same level of protection and support as when having hand wraps in them. It is recommended for beginners to always wear hand wraps.