Imagine you join a sports team at school or start working out at home. You're excited to try boxing or lifting weights. But after a couple of days, your hands might start feeling uncomfortable, from a bit of soreness to the chance of getting blisters. This is common when you start a new exercise. That's where training gloves can help. They are special gloves that keep your hands safe and comfortable.
This guide discusses special gloves for sports and workouts. It talks about different gloves, what they're for, and how they protect your hands. It also gives tips on choosing the right gloves that fit well and last long. The right gloves are key to keeping your hands safe and improving your workout. Read this to find out how to pick the best gloves for you.
The Importance of Training Gloves in Physical Fitness
Training gloves come in different types for exercises like punching, lifting weights, or pull-ups. They are important for protecting your hand and giving support. It also helps you perform better in MMA, boxing, weightlifting, and general workouts. Picking the right gloves can improve your training a lot.
Exploring Training Glove Variations
Gloves come in various designs, styles, materials, and distinctive features. Here are different types of training gloves:
All-Round Gloves/Training Gloves
All-round gloves are suitable for all types of training. They are soft enough to protect you and your partner during sparring but not enough for heavy bag work. They are excellent if you want one pair that can handle various activities. Pick a size that fits well and suits your training level. These gloves have thick padding for hand safety and any activity.
Heavy Bag Gloves/Bag Gloves
These gloves are great for solo training, like hitting speed, heavy bags, or focus mitts. They have extra padding in the knuckle area to protect your hands from hard hits. The padding is thick and helps stop the force of punches.
These gloves are made of strong leather that doesn't lose its shape, keeping your hands safe from hurt. They are leather and have a lining that keeps your hands relaxed. They also have an adjustable wrist strap to make sure they fit well.
Bag Mitts
Bag mitts are the older version of modern boxing gloves. They’re smaller, with minimal padding, requiring you to punch with precision and care. This design can help improve your technique but comes with a higher risk of injury.
Bag mitts are rare today due to their minimal protection. They're ideal for those focused on refining their punching technique in a controlled setting.
Sparring Gloves
Sparring Gloves are heavy, around 14-16 ounces, and have a lot of soft padding. They are made to keep you and your training partner safe. They help prevent injuries like bruises or cuts, so you can keep training without getting hurt. These gloves are great for practicing with a partner because they make sure the hits aren't too hard.
Their softer padding may not be the ideal choice for heavy bag sessions, as it may result in quicker wear and tear. Choosing durable gloves designed to endure the intensity of repeated, forceful punches during heavy bag training is essential.
Boxing Gloves
Boxing gloves protect both the person wearing them and their opponent. The padding around the knuckles helps reduce the impact of punches, making them less painful. The longer part of the glove, called the 'wrist cuff,' covers and protects the wrist from injuries during punches.
These gloves have more padding in the front for punching. There is less at the back near the palm, ensuring the punch's force is distributed, making it safer for both the puncher and the one being hit.
Muay Thai Gloves
Muay Thai uses more moves than boxing, making its gloves different. They have padding spread evenly, especially on the top and the sides, to protect against kicks, knees, and elbows. They're also designed for easier grabbing with bigger palms and thumbs. The finger part is longer and more flexible, making it easier to catch opponents' kicks.
The wrist part of the gloves is shorter than in boxing gloves. This design helps move your wrists more freely, which is important for clinching and avoiding injuries.
Kickboxing Gloves
Kickboxing gloves are a combination of boxing and Muay Thai gloves. They have more side padding for kick protection and stronger wrists for better punches. As sports gear improves, new types of hybrid gloves are being made. These are great for different fighting styles and training.
Brands like CLETO Reyes and Revgear S5 make gloves that are good for different moves. Like the Fairtex Glory, they are specially made for kickboxing. These hybrid gloves are versatile and useful for various training and fighting activities.
MMA Gloves
MMA gloves are lighter and less padded than boxing gloves. This helps you grab and hold onto others while keeping your knuckles safe. They are good for mixed martial arts training because you can practice real moves like punching, grabbing, and making your opponent give up.
These gloves have soft padding so you can close your hands easily. The softness means your hands aren't held too stiffly, so you can grab and wrestle better.
MMA gloves are small, varying from 4 oz. to 10 oz. This gives enough protection for your hands and wrists. They come with tight straps that stop your wrists from moving too much.
Mexican Boxing Gloves
Mexican boxing gloves are well known for their high quality and detailed craftsmanship. They are usually made by skilled Mexican artisans, following time-honored designs. The gloves use top-quality leather, making them durable and comfortable for fighters.
They feature advanced protective padding, typically including layers like shock-absorbing latex memory foam. This ensures you feel balanced and punch effectively while keeping your hands safe. Necalli and Cleto Reyes are renowned global brands producing some of the finest gloves.
Competition Gloves
Competition gloves are special gloves used in boxing matches. They differ for amateur and professional boxers. These gloves follow the sport's rules and focus on keeping the fighters safe and the match fair.
These gloves are usually lighter than the ones used for training. They have less padding, which makes the punches stronger. But this also means that boxers must be very careful and skilled to protect themselves from getting hurt.
Things to Consider When Choosing Boxing Gloves
Choosing the best training gloves is about your exercises and what you like. Here are some tips to consider:
Quality Matters
Choose gloves made from either leather or synthetic materials. Leather lasts longer and feels better, but synthetic is cheaper and good for starters. Make sure the gloves have thick padding to protect your hands and others. They come in weights like 8 to 20 ounces, so pick one that suits your body and needs.
Intended Use
Select gloves based on what you'll do with them. Training gloves work for many activities while sparring gloves have extra safety padding. Your activity determines whether you need heavier gloves for training or lighter ones for fighting.
Comfort and Protection
Gloves should fit well, not too tight, and allow your fingers to move freely. They should support your wrists to prevent injury. Choose gloves with ventilation to keep hands cool and a smooth, comfortable lining.
Conclusion
Training gloves are essential parts of your exercise equipment. They keep your hands safe, hold them, and allow you to improve the performance of activities such as boxing or working out. Understanding the various types of gloves and their functions can help you select suitable ones for your physical activity. The right gloves increase your grip, keep your hands safe, and make training more effective.
Look at our training gloves to help your hands during workouts. Find the best pair for you and make exercise better. Check them out now!