Floyd Mayweather, the five-division world champion with an undefeated professional boxing record, has one weakness that seems to run in the family, aside from the obvious boxing talent: their weak hands. Even a seasoned player like Mayweather needs gauze and adhesive tape to wrap his hands and protect his weak bones from sheer impact. Now while aiming to become the next Floyd Mayweather might be a little ambitious, the practise of wrapping hands before using boxing gloves must remain the same.
Let’s face it: nobody wishes for their first boxing session to end with a trip to the hospital. Not exactly the Rocky Balboa training montage you envisioned, right? Studies have shown that hand wraps not only absorb some of the impact from punches but also provide crucial support for your wrists and knuckles. This translates to a safer, more enjoyable boxing experience for all levels of athletes.
Equipment You Need to Wrap Your Hands
- Cotton wraps: They are ideal for anyone who is in their training phase. You can use it repeatedly.
- Elastic bandage wraps: These provide a secure fit without coming off.
- Gel wraps: You don’t have to wrap them around but instead you can slip on these. Convenient for most of the boxers.
- Competition wraps: They provide a one-time use for fancy fighting. These will require a partner and some serious wrapping skills. Now unless you are about to step into the ring with McGregor, it is better to stick with simpler options. It is up to you what type of wrap you want to use, according to your convenience.
Step By Step Guide
Now that you have chosen the self-defence of your choice, here’s how to turn your hands into punching powerhouses without turning them into mash.
Step #1 – Unrolling your wrap
First of all, you have to unwrap the bad boy. One side of the wrap has a way to secure the wrap, while the other side has a loop. Some wraps even have text written to indicate which side should be facing down. In case you don’t see any writing on your wrap, you have to pay attention to the side that has the adhesive on. Wrap it in the right direction.
Step #2 Place thumb through the loop
Spread out all your fingers. Stretching your hand with a straight wrist, put your thumb through the hole at the end of the wrap.
Step #3 Wrap the wrist
To ensure the wrap is even and flat, wrap it three or four times from your thumb over the back of your wrist.
Step #4 Wrap the hand
Now pull the wrap three times around the palm, back of your hand, above your thumb to the base of your thumb.
Step #5 Wrapping the thumb and anchor it to the wrist
To add support, after twisting the wrap from the base of your thumb to the top and back down again, re-wrap your wrist.
Step #6 Wrapping fingers
Create an inner circle with each finger, starting from the space between your ring and pinky fingers by winding around the wrist and going through each finger.
Step #7 Wrap hand again
After tying around your wrist once, wind around your hand again. Apply a final, long wrist wrap to finish.
Step # 8 Secure the wrap
Test the wrap’s tightness by punching it after attaching it to the Velcro so it feels snug but not too tight for fist formation.
Wrapping Up
And that’s how you turn your mitts from vulnerability machines to punch-throwing powerhouses! Remember, even though Mayweather might have fragile fists, proper wrapping isn’t just for the fighting elite.
