Technique · 5 min read ·
How to wrap your hands.
Ten steps to a secure wrap that protects your knuckles, thumb and wrist — using a standard 180-inch Mexican wrap.
By the EIGHTY8 coaching team
Wraps protect the 27 small bones of each hand and stabilise the wrist inside the glove. A good wrap takes about a minute per hand once you've practised it.
What you need
A pair of 180-inch (4.5m) semi-elastic Mexican wraps fits most adult hands. Shorter 120-inch wraps are better for small hands or kids. See our Mexican Hand Wraps.
Step by step
- Thumb loop. Put the loop over your thumb with the wrap running across the back of your hand.
- Wrist. Wrap the wrist 3 times — firm, but not tight enough to cut circulation.
- Back of hand. Bring the wrap across the back of the hand and around the palm.
- Knuckles. Wrap the knuckles 3–4 times with your fingers spread slightly.
- Down to the wrist. Cross diagonally from the knuckles back to the wrist.
- Between the fingers. Weave between each finger, returning to the wrist each time.
- Thumb. Wrap once around the base of the thumb to lock it.
- Knuckles again. Add 1–2 more passes across the knuckles.
- Finish at the wrist. Use the remaining length around the wrist.
- Close. Secure the hook-and-loop closure and make a fist to check.
How to check your wrap
- You can make a full, tight fist comfortably.
- Your fingertips don't tingle or change colour.
- The knuckles feel padded and the wrist feels supported.
Wrap care
Wash wraps after every one or two sessions in a mesh laundry bag on a cold cycle, then hang dry. Roll them from the closure end so they're ready for next time.
