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Why do you need hand wraps?
The moment a punch lands, the small bones of the hand and the wrist take a big load. The glove softens the impact from outside, but it doesn't stop the bones inside your hand from spreading apart or your wrist from bending. That's the wrap's job:
- It keeps the wrist firm. When a punch lands at an angle, the wrist doesn't bend.
- It holds the hand together. The bones across the back of the hand don't spread apart on impact.
- It protects the knuckles. They take the most strain in bag and pad work.
That's why putting gloves on without wraps isn't recommended. We covered which wraps to buy (length, material) in the gear guide; this article is about the wrapping itself.
Wrapping step by step
With a standard 4–4.5 m adult wrap, this is the most common method. Keep your fingers spread and tensed while you wrap; a wrap put on with a closed hand squeezes when you make a fist.
- 1. Thumb loop. Put the loop over your thumb, with the wrap coming out over the back of your hand.
- 2. Wrist. Go around the wrist 3–4 times. The firmer the wrist, the safer the punch.
- 3. Knuckles. Cross over the back of the hand and go around the knuckles 3–4 times; the top of the knuckles should be flat and well padded.
- 4. Between the fingers. Go back to the wrist and pass once between each pair of fingers (little–ring, ring–middle, middle–index). This step holds the hand together.
- 5. Thumb. Go once around the base of the thumb; the thumb should be held in place but still able to move.
- 6. Finish. Cross the rest of the wrap between the wrist and the knuckles and fasten it at the wrist with the Velcro.
It looks hard on paper; in the first two or three classes the coach wraps with you, and after that your hands learn it on their own. A week later you'll do it in two minutes.
How tight should it be?
The test for a good wrap is simple: make a fist and open it.
- When you make a fist it should close comfortably, with no creases over the knuckles.
- With your hand open it should feel slightly tight, but your fingertips shouldn't go numb.
- If your fingertips turn purple or tingle it's too tight; take it off and wrap again.
- If it slips after a few punches it's too loose; the most common reason is too few turns around the wrist.
Common mistakes
- Too few turns around the wrist. The wrap's main job is keeping the wrist firm; a few turns short and the wrist isn't protected.
- Wrapping with a closed fist. It loosens when you open your hand and squeezes when you close it. Keep your fingers spread and tensed.
- Skipping the fingers. It's the step most often skipped when wrapping in a hurry, and it's what holds the bones of the hand together.
- Wrapping with the wrap folded or twisted. A twist rubs and creates a pressure point.
- Reusing a wet wrap. That means both smell and skin irritation.
Hand wraps for children
Children use short wraps (2.5–3 m); the order is the same, just with fewer turns. Because a young child's hands grow fast, special care is taken not to wrap too tightly. In the kids' classes at F8, the coach wraps the children's hands in the first weeks, and over time they learn to do it themselves. It also becomes a small habit of taking responsibility before class.
Care and hygiene
Unwrap your wraps after every class and let them air-dry; wraps left wet in your bag will smell within a week. Wash them in a mesh laundry bag at a low temperature and keep them out of the dryer; elastic wraps lose their stretch in the heat. Rotating two pairs is the most practical approach. For hygiene, it also matters that your wraps are your own.
Your first class in Konyaaltı
F8 Training Studio is in Bahtılı, Konyaaltı, on Atatürk Caddesi. The first class is free; the gym has gloves for the trial, and you wrap your hands together with the coach in your first class. Boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai classes are taught by Doğukan Siler, Turkey National Muay Thai Team Coach. Adult groups train on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 19:00–20:00.