Must have boxing gear for beginners - Hand Wraps (MARCH)
Share
Boxing is a relatively easy and inexpensive sport to begin. You don’t need much fancy equipment, at least when you’re just starting out. However, in order to ensure you’re protected and training at your best, there are a few pieces of basic boxing equipment you will need before becoming a regular in the ring.
Many boxing beginners may tell you that you need the latest gadgets and gizmos to take on your next opponent. Luckily for your wallet, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Boxing equipment for beginners is all about protection and conditioning. Assuming you have some 'gym gear' already (regular workout shorts, t-shirts, etc.), the few things you will need to purchase shouldn’t cost more than a few quid and you’ll be ring-ready in no time.
Why Start Boxing?
Boxing, an exhilarating and empowering sport, offers a unique blend of physical and mental benefits, making it an excellent choice for beginners seeking to embark on a new fitness journey.
Starting with the right boxing equipment is crucial for ensuring both safety and effectiveness in your training. Not only does boxing enhance your physical strength, but it also sharpens your mental focus and resilience, making it a holistic workout. As you gear up with the basic boxing equipment for beginners and start throwing your first punches, you'll find yourself on an exciting path to improved fitness, heightened self-esteem, and a newfound sense of empowerment.
On the cardio end of the spectrum, boxing is known to be a high calorie-burning exercise. For example, a 70-kg person who spends an hour hitting the heavy bag can burn about 400+ calories. That same person can burn about 633 calories by sparring in the ring for an hour. Other elements of a boxing workout, including skipping rope and shadow boxing, raise your heart rate and can also help you burn calories quickly.
Hand Wraps
Next on the list we have hand wraps which are super important if you want to protect all of the tiny bones in your hands as well as your wrists (you do).
When wrapped correctly, hand wraps provide protection for your knuckles as well as preventing your wrists from spraining or breaking while you throw heavy punches. They’re also great for extending the life of your boxing gloves. Wraps collect the sweat and blood that would otherwise drip into your gloves.
Hand wraps come in many sizes and styles. Longer styles allow you the option of wrapping your hands in a number of different ways, including the between the fingers method and basic method.
Different Types of Hand Wraps
1. Traditional Cloth Hand Wraps:
- Made from cotton or a cotton-blend fabric.
- Requires wrapping around the hands and wrists for support.
- Available in different lengths for various hand sizes.
2. Gel Hand Wraps:
- Incorporate gel padding for extra knuckle protection.
- Often easier to put on, resembling fingerless gloves with a wrap-around wrist strap.
3. Elastic (Mexican Style) Hand Wraps:
- Made with a blend of cotton and elastic materials.
- More flexible and conforming to the hand compared to traditional wraps.
4. Inner Glove Hand Wraps:
- A simpler alternative to traditional wraps.
- Designed like fingerless gloves with padding.
- Suitable for light training sessions or for those new to boxing.
5. Quick Wraps:
- Feature a padded knuckle area with an attached wrap for the wrist.
- Easy to put on and remove, ideal for convenience.
- Offers moderate protection, suitable for light to moderate training.
Every kind of hand wrap brings something special to the table, so picking the right one really comes down to what works best for you. Consider what you need, how comfy you want to be, and what your boxing training looks like. If you're just starting out, we highly recommend choosing a hand wrap that's super easy to slip on and off. This way, you can ease into the world of boxing and take your time learning all the nifty hand wrapping techniques without any fuss!