When looking for boxing gloves, the size needed depends on the weight of the bag that you are going to be using. The most common weights to use are between 10oz and 16oz.
However, heavier bags require heavier gloves as a way to improve performance and help prevent injury.
The size of the glove required for heavy bag work also depends on the size of your hands.
In this article, we will cover the different types of gloves that can be used with heavy bags, as well as how to select the best gloves to suit your needs when working with a heavy bag.
Read on to find out everything you need to know.
Different Types Of Gloves For Heavy Bags
As with many sports, there are many different types of equipment available to purchase, and if you are a newbie, a lot of them might look exactly the same to you.
The truth is, however, that there are small but important differences between the types of gloves available that make them appropriate for different types of bag work.
8-16 Oz Gloves
These are the most common sizes of gloves for heavy bag work. The exact size or weight of the glove that you purchase will depend on the size of your hands.
For example, the smaller your hand the lower the glove weight, the bigger your hand the higher the glove weight.
This range of sizes is the most common for MMA and boxing sparring gloves.
8 Oz
This particular weight is used primarily by professional boxers to improve their conditioning on a heavy bag.
They can also be used for light workouts with a partner using the pads or mitts.
10 Oz
Occasionally, professional boxers will use 10 oz gloves when sparring or in fights if they want extra protection for their wrists and hands.
They are lighter than the 12 oz gloves but still offer an adequate level of protection during a bout.
10 oz gloves made from genuine leather are lightweight but are durable enough to withstand tough sessions on a heavy bag without risking damage to your hands.
14 Oz
These gloves are perfect if you are a boxer who has a powerful, hard punch, or who is able to strike a heavy bag in quick succession.
At this weight, the gloves are more durable than lighter weight gloves, therefore they will last longer with rapid or stronger strikes.
16 Oz
The heaviest glove that is commonly used is perfect for beginners.
These heavier gloves offer more than adequate protection for your hands and wrists when you are still learning how to strike the bag with proper form.
Important Qualities Of Boxing Gloves
Depending on your experience, boxing style, and boxing goals, there are different qualities that you should be looking for when selecting boxing gloves.
The general rule, however, if you are not sure of your needs is 8 oz gloves for women and 10 oz gloves for men.
If you are a complete beginner, 16 oz gloves may be the better option for you as they provide more padding and wrist protection which can help prevent injury caused by improper form.
If you are looking to improve the power behind your punches, bigger gloves can help you achieve that by increasing the force with which your hand strikes the bag.
However, if the glove is too heavy, it will cause you to become fatigued more quickly. Another important thing to remember is that the heavier your gloves are, the slower and less accurate your strikes will be.
If that is an aspect of training that is important to you, a lighter glove may be a better option.
With that in mind, if the speed and precision of strikes are the main focus of your training and development, a lighter glove is going to help you to achieve that.
It is important that you are confident in your form when using lighter gloves as you will be more susceptible to injury with these less protective gloves.
What Size Best Suits Your Needs?
To find out which size of glove best suits your needs when working with a heavy bag, looking at the types of gloves boxers use in the ring is useful.
Often, professional boxers prefer to use gloves around 16 oz. due to the padding and protection afforded to their hands. A plus side to training with heavier gloves is increased stamina if using them in the ring.
This can be important to bear in mind when training on a heavy bag.
Weight Of Boxing Gloves For Heavy Bag Work
When working with a heavy bag, the general rule is the heavier the glove the better.
This is mainly because heavier gloves tend to be longer and contain more padding.
The length of your gloves for heavy bag work is important for providing your wrists with adequate support and protection from hyperextension.
This is a crucial factor in working with heavy bags as the resistance felt through your wrist can result in injury from improper form or the repetitive nature of training.
The increased padding in a heavier glove also protects your hands from becoming cut or damaged from the friction caused by strikes.
This can be a problem that occurs for boxers who use lighter gloves for precision.
Just as important as the weight of your gloves is the physical size of the glove. To ensure that your gloves fit your hands correctly it is important to measure your hands before purchase.
The easiest way to work out the size of the boxing glove you need is to measure the circumference of your hand with a measuring tape.
If you use thick hand wraps when boxing, it may be worth measuring the circumference of your hand when it has been wrapped.
If your gloves are too small or too snug, they can restrict your mobility which can affect your performance and training.
Final Thoughts
There are many factors that affect the size and weight of the gloves that you should be using when doing heavy bag work.
If you are unsure whether your gloves are right for you, trainers and sports stores will be able to assist you.
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