Boxing for a great cardiovascular workout – you can also burn up to 900 calories in 30 minutes of intense boxing, making you a fat-burning, muscle-building machine. And it just happens to be an excellent stress-relieving workout. Hitting something to release pent-up aggression is just one therapy.
However, before jumping into the ring with only boxing gloves on, you first need to protect your hands with a boxing wrap to avoid serious injury.
The most common injury, called “boxer’s knuckle,” is a tear in the sagittal girdle (the intersection near the knuckles) that affects the middle and little fingers. Surgical repair is required due to repeated blows, especially if you want to continue boxing.
The best way to avoid injury and possible surgery? Protect your hands. Doug Ward, marketing director for equipment retailer Title Boxing, emphasizes not only the importance of using a boxing glove, but also the importance of using it properly.
“Properly used wraps maintain the correct separation and configuration of the hand so that the bones don’t move, separate or bunch together upon contact. They also provide an extra layer of cushioning for impact.” Not only that, they help To stabilize the wrist, this is especially important for beginners who are still learning the correct way to punch.
Packing your hands, whether it’s boxing or mixed martial arts, is far superior to using gloves to protect your hands. While some people do like gel hand wraps, it does have great impact absorption, but if you’re punching hard it will require more padding to prevent injury, and its protective properties are diminished.
Instead, Ward recommends a spandex and polyester blend because it absorbs sweat, conforms to the shape of your hand, and allows you to make the right fist.
