Returning at 45, focusing on hand strikes, but WT gloves offer zero wrist support. Need workarounds/alternatives.
Hi everyone,
I’m 45 years old and looking to return to Taekwondo. I trained consistently from age 16 to 35, but after a 10-year break, I’m carrying more weight and I’m definitely not as agile as I used to be.
Because of this, my strategy upon returning is to rely much more on hand strikes/punches to the body protector rather than high, flashy kicks.
Here is my issue: standard WT-approved sparring gloves offer almost zero wrist protection. I tried using traditional boxing hand wraps underneath them, but the gloves are too tight and won't fit.
Since I'll be throwing a lot more punches now, I really want to protect my wrists from hyper-extension or impact injuries.
Has anyone found a specific brand of TKD gloves that offer better wrist support while staying legal for sparring?
Are there any low-profile wrist wraps, tape techniques, or specific workarounds you recommend that can fit under standard TKD gloves?
Any advice from other mature practitioners who transitioned to a punch-heavy style?
Thanks in advance for your insights!