If you are new to boxing, you probably don’t know that there are different kinds of boxing gloves available. There are several variations of boxing gloves, and each style has its own purpose. What are the different types of boxing gloves and how can you tell? Let’s take a look.
Training/Bag Gloves
You will find that brands often label their boxing gloves as training gloves. These are basic all-round boxing gloves, but they are mostly designed for punching a bag or pad. However, they are versatile and can be useful for multiple different types of training.
For most boxing training, you will be needing a pair of traditional training gloves. These are the gloves that you will need if you are taking a boxing class. The material is usually leather or polyurethane. You will find that they have wrist support, thumb locks, and foam padding inside.
Sparring Gloves
Sparring gloves are meant to be used when you are sparring with a partner. They are kind of like training gloves, but the design of these gloves is a little more comfortable. The gloves are contoured, have wrist support, and padding for your hands.
The purpose of these gloves is to protect both you and your opponent from any injuries like accidental knockouts, head injuries, or face injuries. They are lightweight, making them comfortable to wear during long training sessions.
Competition Gloves
Competition gloves, also referred to as professional gloves, are commonly used when you are taking part in a professional boxing match. Professional rules require these gloves to weigh 8 ounces or 10 ounces, depending on who is responsible for the match.
Competition gloves usually weigh less than non-professional gloves, but they consist of firmer padding. You will also notice that professional competition gloves will always use a lace-up feature.
A lighter glove makes it easier for both competitors to block and punch at a quicker rate than they would with standard training gloves. The purpose of the laces is because most of the competitions do not allow gloves with hook and loop fasteners. In most cases, the laces are taped before the fight so they do not come loose.
The firmer padding of competition gloves also makes it easier to knock your opponent out. You will be able to inflict as much damage as you can with your punches, but it is important to remember that you will also not have the same protection for your hands.