When training for boxing, Muay Thai, or MMA, protecting your hands is one of the most important steps before stepping into the ring or onto the mat. Hand wraps offer essential support to your wrists, knuckles, and fingers, helping to prevent injuries during training and fights. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to wrap your hands properly for boxing, Muay Thai, and MMA to ensure both protection and performance.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been training for years, mastering hand wrapping is crucial to avoid common injuries like sprains, fractures, or knuckle damage.

Essential Equipment

Before we dive into the wrapping techniques, let’s make sure you have the right equipment.

• Hand Wraps: You can choose between traditional cotton wraps, elasticized wraps, or gel wraps depending on personal preference and the sport.
  • Traditional Cotton Wraps: Affordable and widely used in boxing.
  • Elasticized Wraps (Mexican-style): Provide a more secure fit.
  • Gel Wraps: Offer extra padding but might not fit under some gloves.

 

• Everlast Professional Hand Wraps – Traditional Cotton Wraps
• Sanabul Elastic Professional Hand Wraps
• RDX Gel Boxing Hand Wraps
• Scissors: If using longer wraps, you might need to cut the excess.

General Guidelines for Hand Wrapping

Before starting the wrapping process, here are some essential guidelines to keep in mind:

• Key Areas to Protect: The main areas to focus on are the wrists, knuckles, and thumb. Each area needs to be padded for support and to prevent injury during impact.
• Tightness: Your hand wraps should feel snug but not restrictive. Too tight, and they’ll cut off circulation. Too loose, and they won’t provide the necessary support.
• Common Mistakes: Avoid wrapping too tightly over your knuckles, which can restrict movement, or leaving your thumb unprotected, which can lead to sprains.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to wrap your hands for boxing:

1. Prepare the Wrap: Roll out your hand wrap and insert your thumb into the loop.
2. Wrap Around the Wrist: Start wrapping around your wrist 3-4 times. This provides stability and protects the wrist from impact.
3. Wrap the Knuckles: Next, move to your knuckles. Wrap around them 3-4 times, ensuring the padding is evenly distributed.
4. Criss-Cross Between the Fingers: To keep the knuckles separate, wrap the hand in a criss-cross motion between each finger.
5. Secure the Thumb: Wrap around the base of your thumb for protection.
6. Finish with the Wrist: End by wrapping around the wrist again to lock everything in place.

• Everlast Hand Wraps for Boxing

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Wrap Your Hands for Muay Thai

Muay Thai requires similar wrapping to boxing, but with a little more wrist support to deal with clinching and striking. Here’s how to wrap for Muay Thai:

1. Start with the Thumb Loop: Begin by placing your thumb into the loop at the end of the hand wrap.
2. Wrap the Wrist: Circle your wrist 4-5 times for extra support.
3. Wrap the Knuckles: Move up to your knuckles, wrapping them 3-4 times.
4. Between the Fingers: Similar to boxing, wrap between each finger to keep the knuckles separated.
5. Secure the Thumb: Make sure to wrap around the thumb for extra stability.
6. Add Extra Wrist Protection: If needed, add another layer around the wrist to keep it secure during strikes and clinches.

 

• Fairtex Hand Wraps for Muay Thai

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Wrap Your Hands for MMA

In MMA, wraps need to balance support and flexibility since gloves are smaller and you’ll engage in both striking and grappling.

1. Start with the Thumb Loop: Insert your thumb into the loop.
2. Wrap the Wrist: Wrap the wrist a few times to provide support without restricting movement.
3. Minimal Knuckle Padding: MMA gloves are small, so you don’t want too much bulk. Wrap the knuckles 2-3 times.
4. Wrap Between the Fingers: Ensure your fingers are free for grappling by wrapping between them.
5. Finish at the Wrist: End by securing the wrap around the wrist, leaving enough flexibility for both striking and grappling.

 

• Sanabul Gel Hand Wraps for MMA

Common Hand Wrapping Mistakes to Avoid

• Too Tight or Too Loose: Make sure your wraps are snug but comfortable. Too tight can restrict blood flow, while too loose won’t protect your hands properly.
• Missing Key Areas: Don’t forget to protect your thumb, knuckles, and wrist. Skipping any of these areas can increase your injury risk.
• Improper Tension: If the wrap isn’t tensioned properly, it could loosen during training or restrict your hand’s movement.

Final Tips for Safe and Effective Hand Wrapping

• Adjust for Comfort: If you feel any numbness or discomfort, re-wrap your hands to prevent circulation issues.
• Replace Worn-Out Wraps: Over time, hand wraps can lose their elasticity. Replace them regularly to ensure maximum protection.
• Practice Wrapping: The more you wrap your hands, the easier it becomes. Practice until you can do it quickly and correctly before every session.

Conclusion

Wrapping your hands correctly for boxing, Muay Thai, or MMA is a simple but critical step in avoiding injury and enhancing your training. With the right wraps and proper technique, you’ll protect your knuckles, wrists, and thumbs, allowing you to perform at your best.

Check out these recommended hand wraps to ensure your hands are always ready for action:

• Everlast Professional Hand Wraps
• Sanabul Gel Wraps for MMA

FAQs

• Can you reuse hand wraps?
  Yes! Just make sure to wash and dry them regularly to prevent bacteria buildup.
• How tight should hand wraps be?
  They should be snug but not so tight that they cut off circulation.
• What’s the best brand of hand wraps for beginners?
  Everlast and Sanabul are both great brands that offer durable wraps for beginners.