
How To Choose The Right Type of Gloves
What are the right type of boxing gloves for you? That depends on what you are primarily using them for. It’s also largely dependent on personal preference. Some people prefer smaller, more compact gloves, while others are more interested in hand protection and like a more heavily-padded glove. Fit is also a large factor. Just like all people are built differently, everyone’s hands are unique. One glove may fit a person perfectly, but another doesn’t contour to the shape of their hands the same way. The main thing is to choose gloves that fit comfortably, feel right and don’t force your hand into any position that is unnatural. This will achieve goal #1 and, that is, that your hands are fully and properly protected. In the end, though, what really determines what glove is right for you is what are you intending to use the gloves for. There are essentially three types of boxing gloves, aside from those used for competition. This will help you figure out which gloves you really need:
BAG GLOVES
These are primarily used to hit a heavy bag, double end bags and other specialty bags. They typically feature a wrap-around closure for the ease of putting on and taking off. In many cases, they’re also constructed with a heavier, more dense foam for protection of your fists when hitting a harder heavy bag. These are not the type of gloves you would use for sparring or hitting other boxers, because they don’t have as much resiliency or “give” as sparring gloves.
SPARRING GLOVES
These are primarily used to hit a heavy bag, double end bags and other specialty bags. They typically feature a wrap-around closure for the ease of putting on and taking off. In many cases, they’re also constructed with a heavier, more dense foam for protection of your fists when hitting a harder heavy bag. These are not the type of gloves you would use for sparring or hitting other boxers, because they don’t have as much resiliency or “give” as sparring gloves.
TRAINING GLOVES
Think of these almost as a hybrid glove that can be used for sparring or bag work. They are typically firm enough to use on heavy bags, but also absorb enough shock to wear while sparring. However, it is not recommended to use the same glove for bag work and sparring. The texture of the heavy bag roughens the punching surface of the glove, and the hardness of the heavy bag also wears down the padding. Overall, the quantity of punches you throw on a heavy bag breaks the glove down and reduces its effectiveness as a sparring glove. Training gloves are a great option if you’re unsure of what you want to use them for, but once you’ve decided to spar in them or hit bags with them, we recommend sticking with that intended use. Having said that, if you still choose to buy one style of glove and use it for both sparring and bag work, a training glove is your best option.
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