Hand wraps

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 the 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 best comfort and support. Wrapping your hands can seem awkward at first but, like learning to tie shoe laces, it quickly becomes second nature.

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 loose-fitting gloves.

Material

Most wraps these days are slightly elasticated, sometimes referred to as Mexican style. You can also get wraps which are made to have no stretch. Some experienced boxers prefer these, but in general the Mexican style wraps are more comfortable and make it easier to get a good fit.

The most common materials used are cotton, nylon and polyester. These are not actually elastic, the stretch comes from the way the wraps are knitted. Cotton is more breathable than man-made fibres, but it is more prone to creasing.

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 loosely they don’t get tangled, and fasten the hook and loop (Velcro) so it doesn’t catch on anything in your bag. If you’re not washing them straight away, hang them up to dry.