Hand wraps are one of the most important pieces of boxing protective equipment that there is. So much so that every boxer, no matter what skill level, will wear them for each and every training session that they take part in.
For boxers, their hands are their most important asset. Therefore, protecting them during both training and competition is vital. Hand wraps provide a crucial protective layer between the knuckles and boxing glove which helps to secure the hand and wrist inside the glove.
In this article, we will take a look at the different types of hand wraps, why they are so important, and the best ways to wrap your hands.
What Are The Different Types Of Hand Wraps
There are several different types of hand wraps, all with different uses for different training and competition scenarios. Making sure that you have the correct hand wraps for your boxing training is hugely important for ensuring that you avoid any unwanted strains, pains, or injuries.
Cotton Hand Wraps
The most common type of hand wrap is, of course, the generic cotton hand wrap. These are typically used by individuals who take part in the sport recreationally and therefore are not involved in too much competitive training.
These hand wraps are incredibly popular and seen in gyms all across the world due to their affordability and versatility. These wraps come in a huge range of colours and in different lengths to give users full customization to ensure that they are comfortable and secure for their hands.
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Tape & Gauze Wraps
Tape & gauze hand wraps are by far the most advanced type of hand wraps on the market. These wraps are predominantly used solely by professional boxers during competitive fights and harder sparring sessions. Because of this, most recreational boxers will never have to use these types of hand wraps.
Professional boxers taking part in legitimate boxing bouts have to follow very strict rules when it comes to their hand wraps. These rules typically state that gauze and tape wraps are to be used and to be wrapped by a member of the fighter's team. As these wraps are applied by a separate individual, they can ensure that they are put on to give you maximum comfort and protection as long as it is in line with the sanctioning bodies' rules.
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Fast Wraps
One of the best alternatives to gauze and tape wraps which can be used during training and are a favourite among many pros are fast wraps. Created by Fortress Boxing, fast wraps are an incredible hand wrap alternative that combines the comfort and protection of hand & gauze wraps, with the simplicity and ease of a glove.
Simply put your hand into the fast wrap, tighten the tie, and then wrap the glove to provide extra support to the wrist. These incredible wraps have grown hugely in popularity and have now become the go-to for many professional boxers during training sessions.
Shop Fortress Boxing fast wraps
Gel Hand Wraps
Also known as inner gloves, gel hand wraps are another very common form of hand protection. While these are not necessarily hand wraps, they are designed to offer boxers a very similar level of protection in a much simpler form.
These gel inner gloves are particularly popular amongst beginners who struggle to properly wrap their hands, or who are just looking for a method that is quick to get on and off. While these are extremely convenient, they do offer the least amount of protection of all the different hand wrap types.
Shop our range of gel wraps here
Why Hand Wraps Are So Important In Boxing
Wrist Support
One of the most common injuries that occurs during boxing training is wrist sprains, pains, and even breaks. This is because constantly hitting heavy bags and mitts can take its toll on an area of the body that is typically very weak. However, boxers who suffer from these injuries are typically not using all the advantages of hand wraps.
Hand wraps allow you to create incredibly robust and beneficial wrist support. Simply tighten the wraps around the wrists and secure them. This will stop excess flexion of the wrist while throwing shots and therefore significantly reduce the risk of improper punching form, causing significant wrist damage.
Knuckle & Hand Protection
As we have already touched on, a boxer's hands are its greatest and most valuable asset. Therefore, providing them with sufficient protection during training and competition is integral to the development of a boxer. Knuckle breaks and hand injuries can be very common in boxing but are easily avoided through quality hand wraps.
Hand wraps provide a way of not only padding out your hand but also providing a much more snug fit within the glove. This protection and snug fit of the glove provide fighters with the confidence to throw heavy shots consistently without the worry of damaging the knuckles or hand.
Thumb Support
Thumb strains and breaks can also be very popular during boxing training. However, a quality pair of hand wraps will give you all the thumb support needed to avoid this. By looping the wrap around the thumb, you essentially lock it into place and reduce any vulnerabilities.
How To Properly Wrap Your Hands
Protective Boxing Equipment From Industry Leading Brands
Here at Geezers Boxing, we do not just provide an incredible range of protective hand wraps. We also provide a huge range of other protective boxing equipment from leading brands such as Adidas Boxing, Nike Boxing, Cleto Reyes, Fly Boxing, Venum Boxing and so many more.
