The wearing of boxing gloves transforms the art of combat. With boxing gloves in place, the sweet science of boxing can commence.
Whether you are new to boxing or a seasoned competitor, the importance of your boxing gloves should not be underestimated.
In this blog, the Boxfit team gives you some insight into how best to approach selecting the right boxing gloves for you. We take a look at the important things to consider, before giving you an overview of what’s available in the Boxfit range.
The history and importance of boxing gloves
If you are starting out in boxing, having an understanding of why boxing gloves are important is useful.
People for centuries have sought ways to protect themselves while inflicting damage on others. The earliest surviving version of a boxing glove was found at an excavated Roman Fort in Northern England, and is thought to date from 120AD.
By the 17th century, bare knuckle fighting had become commonplace in England, as boxing enjoyed a revival after many years of suppression. It was only in 1867, when gloves were mandated by the Marquess of Queensbury Rules, that the modern boxing glove started to take shape.
After much development, the modern boxing glove is designed to protect the wearer and their opponent. Features like mesh palms, leather-based stitching, suspension cushioning and padding help limit the damage that can be inflicted, while still keeping the competitive element we all love about the sport.
How to choose boxing gloves for beginners
When you are first starting out and experiencing boxing training for the first time, you might not feel having an elite level of glove is too important.
But as you develop, you will likely want to feel the added benefits of comfort and protection the best boxing gloves offer.
You may be reading this blog looking for information on choosing boxing gloves for women, or finding the best boxing gloves for men. But in reality, most boxing gloves on the market are unisex. That means the key elements to consider when selecting your boxing gloves are size and weight.
How to choose your boxing glove size
There are three important aspects which will determine the size of the boxing glove you choose. The first is your height. The second is your weight. And the third is your hand circumference.
Our hands are typically in proportion with the rest of our bodies, so if you are taller and weigh more, you will usually use a larger size glove.
A key element when choosing your boxing gloves is having that snug fit that really melds well with your hand size. The best way of determining this is through hand circumference.
To get this measurement, we recommend using a fabric tape measure, and measuring the circumference of your dominant hand while it is open. Take the measurement from just beneath your knuckles.
Armed with your height, weight and hand circumference, you can look to select the perfect sized boxing glove for your requirements.
How to choose boxing glove weight
As you become more technically astute and your level of competition rises, you may wish to choose lighter gloves. This will help free you up that little bit more and throw the combinations you want more easily.
When starting out, larger boxing gloves can help limit hand injuries and help a fighter feel protected. That peace of mind can help you stay focused on enhancing your skill set and technical ability.
As a starting point, we recommend gloves weighing 14oz-16oz for a male, and perhaps a 12oz for a female. These gloves will offer protection, and give you the kind of workout for your arms that will help prepare you for tougher challenges down the line.
Consult with your trainer or people at your club as well, as they can likely gauge what the best option for you and your level is.
Boxfit’s boxing glove range
At Boxfit, we offer a brilliant selection of boxing gloves in a host of weights, sizes and designs.
Our collection includes gloves ranging from 6oz all the way through to 20oz, with a selection of brilliant designs, colour schemes and styles available. This gives you the best opportunity to find a pair of gloves that meet your personal preference and give you peace of mind.
We stock boxing gloves from a host of leading manufacturers, including the likes of Adidas Boxing,Everlast, Ringside, Cleto Reyes and plenty more. Our range has been carefully compiled to provide our customers with only the best quality and designed gloves.
Boxfit has a strong assortment of hook and loop boxing gloves, as well as lace up boxing gloves to choose from. Our selection of AIBA approved boxing gloves adhere to boxing legislation, while we have a real mix of other boxing gloves available. These include weighted boxing gloves, fitness gloves, and boxing gloves for juniors.
Be sure to browse through the full selection of boxing gloves we have available, and speak to the Boxfit team if you have any questions regarding our range.
We hope this blog has helped shed some light on how to select the right boxing gloves for you. Ultimately, this boils down to finding the optimal glove for your body, your level and your requirements.
Take the time to get to grips with what will work best for you, and take your fight game to that next level.