Why Do Muay Thai Fighters Wear Hand Wraps

If you've trained Muay Thai or other forms of combat sports, chances are that at some point when you started training, you were told you need to wear hand wraps. Even if you haven't trained, you've probably seen boxers getting their hands wrapped before putting on their gloves and walking to the ring. 

There are a few different reasons why fighters and those training wear hand wraps. 

1. Protection One of the primary reasons why Muay Thai fighters wear hand wraps is to protect their hands. The hand wraps are wrapped tightly around the fighter's hands and wrists to provide support and cushioning. This helps to reduce the risk of injury when punching, particularly when landing punches on hard surfaces such as heavy bags, pads, or an opponent's body. Hand wraps also help to prevent cuts and bruises on the fighter's hands, which can be painful and slow down the training process.

2. Stability Hand wraps not only provide protection but also help to stabilize the hand and wrist. This is particularly important in Muay Thai, where fighters deliver powerful strikes using their hands. The wraps keep the bones and tendons in place, preventing them from moving around too much when the fighter is punching. This helps to reduce the risk of sprains and strains that could result from a sudden movement or impact.

3. Sweat absorption During training and competition, Muay Thai fighters can sweat a lot. This can make their hands slippery and difficult to grip properly. Hand wraps are made of cotton or other absorbent materials that help to soak up sweat and keep the hands dry. This improves the grip and allows fighters to deliver more effective punches without worrying about their hands slipping.

4. Hygiene Hand wraps also play a role in maintaining good hygiene in Muay Thai gyms and competitions. Fighters can sweat heavily during training, which can lead to the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms on their hands. Wrapping the hands helps to prevent the spread of these bacteria, keeping both the fighter and their training partners safe and healthy.

How do hands get damaged in combat sports

When we examine any combat sport at a basic level, we can identify two primary ways in which the hands may sustain damage. The first is through striking. This typically involves punches, though certain sports and regulations may permit hammer fists and back fists as legal moves.

The second way in which the hands can be impacted is through blocking, where the hands may absorb blows from punches, knees, elbows, or kicks. These blows may be quite powerful, and may strike the back of the hand, the side of the hand, or even the palm, as in the case of deflections or parrying. For instance, in the Muay Thai long guard, the palms face the opponent, making it easy for a strike to land awkwardly.

Boxing gloves are padded, but they may not always provide adequate protection against these types of blows. Hand wraps and gloves function as a single system, with one layer serving to protect the opponent, and another layer serving to protect the fighter. The hand itself consists of 27 small bones, each of which absorbs a significant amount of shock with every strike. Well-fitted hand wraps offer support and help to hold everything in place, reducing the likelihood of broken or fractured bones.

Different types of hand wraps

Hand wraps are typically divided into two main categories: professional hand wraps and training hand wraps. Professional wrapping is commonly used in fights, and may also be employed by high-level boxers during training.

Professional hand wraps usually consist of multiple layers of thin gauze and tape, which are typically applied by a cornerman or trainer. However, when most people refer to "hand wraps," they are usually referring to the ones used for training, which a fighter can wrap up themselves. In this blog, we will mainly be focusing on training hand wraps.

Training hand wraps come in several different options, which can be broken down into two main types: those with stretch and those without stretch. Mexican hand wraps are an example of stretch wraps, which fit tightly and conform closely to the shape of the hand.

Non-stretch wraps, on the other hand, are usually made from slightly thicker material and fit differently. Both types of wraps are effective at keeping the hands safe, and the choice of which to use is often a matter of personal preference. 

Another important factor in selecting a good hand wrap is its length. Wraps typically come in two sizes: 120 inches (around 3 metres) and 180 inches (around 4.5-5 metres).

It is generally recommended to opt for the longer length if possible, as it provides additional protection and allows for coverage of the thumb and all fingers. Shorter lengths may be too small to provide adequate coverage. Wraps with thinner material tend to provide a better fit, although the range of hand wraps available can vary greatly.

Looking for new hand wraps? We've got you covered with our 4.5 metre hand wraps. Perfect for any combat sport to provide you with adequate protection. 

How should you wrap your hands?

Here's our full rundown on how to wrap your hands. There are many different ways so be sure to check out our guide so you can find the right way for you. 

The main focus areas for wrapping your hands are you wrist, knuckles, thumb and in between your fingers. It can be quite a challenge getting your head around wrapping your hands at first but once you've found a technique/style of hand wrapping that you like, it becomes second nature.  

When should I use hand wraps?

Every time you train you should wear hand wraps. This ensures your gloves stay fresh and so that you have maximum protection every time you train. 

The same goes for when training MMA to, just make sure you keep the palm area clear when wrapping as it can restrict your grappling.