5 Things You Need To Know Before Buying Boxing Gloves

We can find primitive type of boxing gloves in Greek civilization around 3000 BC. The Greek Gloves were manufactured as leather straps. Romans played boxing for entertainment, as a sport or a match for survival. They developed harmless leather strap into a lethal weapon. Leather straps were embedded with metal studs or spikes. At the end of the competition, one of the contestants was either dead or disabled for rest of his life. Eventually, Boxing became so brutal that Romans ultimately banned it. Boxing and Boxing Gloves developed in Britain after 16th century. Now, these gloves have become most essential part of boxing gear. However, choosing a right type of boxing gloves is difficult and confusing as lots of options are available in market. You need to know few things before making a decision.

Type of Boxing Gloves:

Types of gloves are based on boxing activities. You will find sparring, training, bag, fighting, amateur fighting and fitness/aerobics gloves. All these are specifically designed for particular purpose. You cannot use sparring gloves for bag training and vice versa. Sparring gloves protect your sparring partner from injuries during training. Bag gloves are designed to protect your hands and not your target. Professional fighting gloves are only used for fighting. Fitness gloves are used for fitness purposes. Amateur fighting gloves are provided by the promoters.

Material:

Manufacturers usually use leather and vinyl for making gloves. For beginners and kids, vinyl gloves are suitable. These gloves are cheaper than leather gloves. Usually vinyl gloves come with velcro closure which are easier to put on. Professionals use leather gloves. Once you have developed primary techniques and skills in boxing, you need a more durable pair of gloves. Leather gloves are more durable than vinyl gloves and usually last for several years. Leather gloves are expensive but are recommended due to longer life.

Weight & Size:

Once you have decided the type and material of your new pair, next you have to check is the weight and size. Adult boxing gloves are available in 8oz to 20oz weights. Small, medium and large are the available sizes of gloves. Medium sized gloves fit women’s hands. Sparring gloves and training gloves weigh from 12oz to 20oz. Gloves’ weight corresponds to body weight. 10oz Boxing gloves are used in professional boxing matches. 16oz gloves are mostly used for training and sparring purposes.

Closure Options:

Boxing gloves have either lace-up or velcro closing options. Velcro gloves are recommended for training, sparring and heavy bag practice. They are easy to put on and pull off without external assistance. Velcro gloves can bruise your arm or your opponent’s face. Lace-up gloves are used in professional matches due to the fact that they fit snugly and there is no chance of slippage. Lace-up gloves cannot be put on without assistance.

Hand Wraps/Inner Gloves:

You need to use either hand wraps or inner gloves before trying your new pair. Only gloves are unable to provide you required protection. Hand wraps and inner gloves are made with shock absorbent material to provide protection against repetitive punches. They also help in forming a firm fist.