RingsideReady
Wrap your hands
Two common written methods, free to follow. Your gym or coach may teach a different method; their instructions come first.
Basic method
The method most gyms teach first. Wrist first, then knuckles, then the fingers.
Best for: A first class, and any general bag or pad session.
1. Start at the thumb
Loop the wrap over your thumb with the label facing your palm. Pull it flat before the first turn — a twist here stays twisted the whole way.
2. Three turns around the wrist
Wrap the wrist three times, snug and even. You should still be able to bend your wrist. This is the support the whole wrap is built on.
3. Three turns around the palm
Bring the wrap up across the back of your hand and around the palm three times, just below the knuckles. Keep it flat.
4. Back down to the wrist
Bring it diagonally back down and take one turn around the wrist. This anchors what you have done so far.
5. Between each finger
Up between the little and ring finger, back down to the wrist; then between ring and middle; then middle and index. One turn at the wrist between each.
6. Three turns over the knuckles
Come back up and wrap the knuckles three times. Make a loose fist as you do this, so it is not painfully tight when you close your hand.
7. Cross the back of the hand
Take a diagonal turn across the back of the hand to lock the knuckle wraps to the wrist wraps.
8. Finish and fasten
Use whatever is left at the wrist and close the velcro there. Open and close your fist — snug, never numb. Undo them if fingers tingle, hurt, or change color.
Mexican-style method
Knuckles first, wrist last. Common with semi-elastic wraps, which stretch as you go.
Best for: Longer sessions and heavier bag work, once wrapping is familiar.
1. Thumb loop and first wrist turns
Thumb through the loop, label toward the palm. Take two turns around the wrist to set the base. Semi-elastic wraps stretch, so use less tension than feels natural.
2. Over the knuckles first
Go straight up and take three turns over the knuckles before anything else. This method secures the knuckles early and comes back for the wrist later.
3. Down to the wrist
Diagonally across the back of the hand and one turn at the wrist, locking the knuckle turns in place.
4. First finger gap
Up between the little and ring finger, then back down to the wrist. Keep each pass flat across the back of the hand.
5. Remaining finger gaps
Repeat for the ring-to-middle and middle-to-index gaps, returning to the wrist after each one.
6. Cover the thumb
Take one turn around the base of the thumb and back to the wrist. Do not wrap the thumb tightly — it needs to move.
7. Back over the knuckles
Two or three more turns over the knuckles, again with a loose fist so the wrap sits at working width.
8. Finish at the wrist
Use the remaining length at the wrist and fasten. Check the fist opens and closes, and that no finger tingles or changes color.
Glove sizing
180 inches suits most adult hands; 120 inches suits smaller hands and children. Buy two pairs so one can dry between sessions.
Many adults use 12–14 oz for bag and pad work. Ounces describe how much padding a glove has, not how big your hand is. Your gym's class rules come first.
Most gyms require 16 oz for sparring, along with headgear and a mouthguard. Use only the size and protective equipment your qualified coach and gym require.
Snug, never numb. Undo the wrap immediately if your fingers tingle, ache, go cold, or change color, then re-wrap with less tension.