Gloves and Wraps for Practicing Boxing or Kickboxing
You don’t have to be a professional in boxing or kickboxing in order to wear the protective gear. Certain items are essential for training and you must know how to choose what you need. In this article, we’ll tell you about the gloves and wraps that you need to practice boxing or kickboxing. Don’t miss it!
How to choose boxing or kickboxing gloves
While there are many types of gloves to choose from for these sports, they can serve you for any discipline. When purchasing boxing or kickboxing gloves, it’s important that you try them on and keep the following points in mind:
1. Weight or size
Unlike clothes, boxing and kickboxing gloves are not available in small, medium, or large sizes. They are sold according to their weight, which is measured in ounces.
There are several options:
- 8-ounce gloves are generally used for professional competitions in weights lower than welterweight.
- 10-ounce gloves are usually for amateur fights.
- 12 and 14-ounce gloves are the most common for people who weigh up to 175 pounds.
- 16-ounce gloves are for boxers who weigh between 175 and 190 pounds.
- Gloves between 18 and 20 ounces are for the heavyweights (people who weigh more than 200 pounds).
2. Composition
Nowadays, gloves and wraps for boxing or kickboxing are made from synthetic leather, manufactured in different qualities or resistances. You can also find some gloves made from animal skin, such as cow, lamb, or buffalo. These tend to be durable and comfortable.
3. The fit
There are two options regarding the adjustment or closure of the gloves. The first option is to use ties and this is in accordance with the traditional style of boxing. These are mandatory for boxing matches. These gloves can be difficult to put on and remove, and you may need someone’s help to do it.
The second option is velcro, which is commonly found in gyms. It’s very important to adjust the gloves, to prevent them from moving. You should also make sure that the velcro doesn’t bother you or your opponent.
4. Manufacturing
At present, there are three countries that are renowned for manufacturing boxing gloves: Mexico, Pakistan, and Thailand. Mexico tends to produce these products by hand, creating gloves that are of great quality, but also expensive. In both Asian countries, we can find gloves of different types, prices, and resistances.
5. The design
In addition to the regular red gloves with a black border, today we find a myriad of designs and color options, including decorations or drawings. This is only aesthetic and doesn’t provide any advantages or disadvantages for boxing.
How to choose boxing or kickboxing wraps
You can’t see them, but they are very important for practicing these type of sports. Those who are just beginning in martial arts or in boxing wonder why they should wear wraps or wonder what the point is of braiding them in a certain way.
As a first step, you should know that our hands must be well protected at all times in this type of sport because they make contact with the opponent. When we hit, the force is absorbed by the hand. That’s why it must be well padded!
Boxing or kickboxing wraps prevent fractures or sprains, protect bones and joints, and reduce the impact of punches. They are also designed to absorb perspiration and prevent the hand from rubbing against the inside of the glove and injuring the skin or nails.
Basically, there are two types of wraps: cotton and elastic. The first is the most common, but they also require a certain technique for putting them on. On the first day you practice boxing or kickboxing, your coach should show you how to put on the wraps. Everyone has their own technique.
The elastic ones fasten very easily, although, for some people, they can feel as if they are “cutting the circulation”. In terms of price, these tend to be more expensive.
Now that you know how to choose gloves and wraps for boxing or kickboxing, you can get in the ring!