When we make a fist we tighten the muscles of our hand and forearm. This pulls the tendons taut, holding the bones of the hand and wrist in place. Hand wraps supplement your muscles and tendons by adding a close-fitting layer of material around your hand and wrist.
The wrap’s job is not to bind the hand and provide all of the support. Wrapping your hands too tightly will actually weaken them by restricting movement of the muscles and tendons. It may also restrict the supply of blood, causing fatigue to set in sooner.
The beauty of wraps is their simplicity. You can get the perfect fit and adapt the way you wrap your hands so that you get the most comfort and support. Wrapping your hands can seem awkward at first but, like learning to tie shoe laces, it quickly becomes second nature. It’s a boxing ritual that you can use to focus your mind before your workout or sparring session.
Length
The standard length for adults is 4.5 to 5 metres. This can seem like a lot at first, but it allows you a lot of flexibility in how you wrap your hands. It’s important to have enough material to go around your knuckles several times and to build up layers to support your wrist.
Thickness
Most wraps are pretty similar but the weight of material they use does vary. A thinner material can feel more comfortable and be easier to put on. A heavier material can feel more supportive. A thicker wrap can also be useful to fill out lose-fitting gloves.
Material
Mexican style wraps are a blend of several synthetic materials or a cotton/synthetic mix. This gives them a degree of elasticity which makes them easy to put on and comfortable to wear.
You can also get 100% cotton wraps which have no give in them. If you’re new to boxing you should avoid these as it’s much harder to get a good fit. If you’re curious you can always give them a try, but start off with Mexican style wraps.
Care
Look after your wraps the same way you would look after any item of clothing. Wash them regularly to keep them fresh. Hang them up so that they dry without creasing, and only roll them when completely dry. When you finish your workout at the gym, roll them up so they don’t get tangled, and fasten the velcro so it doesn’t catch on anything in your bag. If you’re not washing them straight away, hand them up to dry.
