Boxing is a great way to stay in shape while having fun at the same time. It combines cardio and strength, and also requires that you work agility, coordination, and balance. Plus, there is the mental stimulation of learning the rules and tactics, and the psychological release of hitting things really hard!
You don’t need much equipment to get started, but you are going to need a pair of gloves. While you can shadow box with your bare hands, if you want to spar with a partner or hit heavy bags, you are going to need those gloves.
In this article, we will share with you our top five picks for the best boxing gloves for training and sparring when you are just starting out. We’ll also share a buying guide to help you make the best decision for you. We will also take a brief look at why boxing makes a great addition to any health and fitness program.
Best Boxing Gloves For beginners – 2021 Picks
Everlast Pro Style Boxing Gloves
No products found.When it comes to quality boxing gloves, Everlast dominates the market with good cause. Their Pro Style glove line is a great choice for most boxers, just choose the right weight for what you want to do with them.
They are made from top-quality polyurethane faux leather and should last almost as long as real leather gloves. Dual layers of evenly distributed foam offer ample protection. They are designed to conform to the natural shape of your fist, which will help you maintain good form when hitting the bag.
One of the standout features of these gloves is the hook-and-loop closures, which make them significantly easier to put on and take off yourself – a constant challenge for boxers wanting a drink of water.
These gloves are extremely versatile and ideal if you are looking for a pair of training gloves.
No products found.
RDX Sparring Boxing Gloves
If you are looking to move beyond bag and pad work to some genuine sparring with a partner, you’ll need to upgrade to a heavier pair of gloves with some padding, like these great sparring gloves from RDX.
These are relatively light sparring gloves, with options between 10 and 16 ounces, but this is ideal for beginners already accustomed to lighter training gloves. The layered EVA padding within the glove is designed to have a shock dispersion effect for better protection for you and your partner.
They are made from Mata Hide convex skin faux leather that is long lasting, detailed with a mesh palm for better grip and ventilation. The gloves also feature a hook and loop fastening around the wrist, making them easier to put on and take off on your own. These gloves are ideal when you are just starting with sparring, and you may love them so much that you hang onto them even when you are an experienced fighter.
- Sparring gloves
- 10-16 ounces
- Faux leather
- Shock dispersal foam
- Hook and loop fastening
Cleto Reyes Training Gloves
If you do want to pay a bit extra for a pair of premium boxing gloves, why not get a classic pair of genuine leather Cleto Reyes. But bear in mind that they can cost ten times as much as the other gloves that we have been looking at.
You are paying for the respectability of the name, and also the genuine leather of the gloves. If you go to their Amazon store, you will see a variety of options, including traditional lace-up gloves, and Velcro seal gloves more appropriate for sparring. There are even traditional bag gloves that leave your thumb exposed.
All the gloves use a long-lasting latex foam padding and a water-repellent nylon lining to prevent the worst smells. You’ll certainly feel like a professional wearing a pair of these.
- Classic and respected brand
- Variety of weights, including heavier 18 ounce options
- Genuine leather
- Latex foam padding
- Water-repellent nylon lining
FIGHTR Premium Boxing Gloves
FIGHTR offers affordable all rounder gloves that are suitable for most fighters learning the art. These premium gloves are their main line, and you can choose from five weights, from eight ounces to sixteen ounces, and also three different colour combinations.
The gloves themselves are made from PU leather and dense padding, all held together with durable stitching designed to last. There is extra padding sewn into the thumb, which protects, but also makes the glove more comfortable and stable on your hand. The padding and security around the wrist have been tested with professionals to ensure maximum wrist stability and support.
These gloves are designed to be the right balance of performance and safety. Beginners will probably appreciate these features more than experienced boxers who have developed a solid technique.
- 5 weight options (8, 10, 12, 14, or 16 ounces)
- PU Leather
- Highly durable
- Enhanced wrist stability
- 3 colour options
VENUM Defender CONTENDER 2.0 Boxing Gloves
Beginners looking for super lightweight gloves to get started on their boxing journey will appreciate these affordable and comfortable gloves by Venum.
Weighing just eight ounces, you will feel like you have a lot of control when training in a group class of hitting the bag. But you won’t want to use these when sparring with a partner as there just isn’t enough padding.
They are designed with a slightly curved anatomical shape that makes them more comfortable than many gloves and can also help you keep your hands in the right position for good technique.
They are made with a polyurethane synthetic leather outer and triple-density foam inner for finger protection. The Velcro closure helps you get the right fit, and also offers good wrist protection during training. Choose from five colours to match you style. Who says you can’t de stylish while releasing your inner demon.
- Training gloves
- 8 oz
- Polyurethane
- Ergonomic design
- 5 colour options
Boxing Gloves Buying Guide
The first thing to consider when choosing gloves is whether you are looking for boxing gloves or MMA gloves. Boxing gloves are the larger gloves used in traditional boxing and also Muay Thai. MMA gloves are the smaller gloves that leave your fingers exposed.
Why are they different? The style of fighting in boxing and Muay Thai means that the fighters are mainly taking blows to the head, and they could receive hundreds of blows during a fight. Therefore, they need to protection provided by the larger gloves. MMA utilizes a larger range of fighting movements, including more body blows and also Ju Jitsu, so there is less pressure on the head. They can afford to have lighter weight, more manoeuvrable gloves.
What kind of gloves you need depends on what you are training, so be guided by your coach. If you decide to go for boxing gloves, consider the following factors when choosing.
Looking for MMA gloves? Find our top picks here.
Fit
As with most sporting equipment, the most important consideration is often how well they fit. This is not just for comfort, but also to ensure proper protection for your knuckles, fingers, and wrists.
Consult the sizing guide for your chosen style, but if you can, try them on! They should feel comfortable, leaning towards snug. With full boxing gloves, your fingertips should be touching the tip of the glove on the inside lightly.
Intended Use & Weight
Gloves will often be marketed for an intended use, specifically training, sparring, or competition, and you should consider what you need the gloves for when making your selection.
But when manufacturers talk about use, this is often a byword for weight, as different weights are appropriate for different uses. Gloves for adults range from 8 to 18 ounces, and this is dictated by the amount of cushioning rather than the size of the gloves. Lighter options are generally intended for training, while heavier options are better for sparring.
If you need gloves for boxing fitness classes or to train with a heavy bag, you will generally want light gloves weighing no more than 14 ounces. This provides enough protection for your hands against the bag, without forcing you to carry a lot of weight.
If you are regularly sparring with a partner, you will want heavier gloves that can be harder to manoeuvre, but the extra padding protects your partner if you do land a nice blow.
If you struggle with heavy gloves, then pay close attention to the weight balance of what you select. You don’t want a design with too much padding at the top, as they change the balance of your hands and can undermine your coordination.
Material
Genuine leather certainly has the cool factor when it comes to gloves, and the leather is also less likely to tear or peel as you use them. A good pair of leather gloves should last for up to three years of consistent training, though they do require regular conditioning and sanitizing. But of course, you can expect to pay more for genuine leather than other materials.
You can save by choosing faux leather, and while the gloves won’t last as long, they are a great choice for beginners who are still looking for their ideal style of gloves and don’t want to break the bank.
You will also find gloves in less traditional fabrics, such as neoprene. These are lightweight and washable.
Design Features
You will always see lots of design features listed when you check out a pair of boxing gloves, but which ones really matter?
Breathability is important if your hands are going to be sweltering inside the gloves for a few hours. Consider gloves with breathability features, which usually take the form of mesh inserts that encourage air flow.
Gloves with a pre-curved design can be a good choice as they help you keep your hand in the ideal position for landing a punch. This can encourage you to maintain optimum form while giving your all.
While padding protects your opponent, wrist support protects you from the shockwaves that could travel up your arm and shoulder from a hard blow. Good gloves should fit snuggly around your wrists to protect them from damage.
Closure mechanisms should be adjustable so that you can get the right fit, but also something that you can manage on your own. There’s nothing worse than trying to find someone to do your gloves for you every time you want a drink of water.
Benefits of Boxing
You probably know quite a few people who love boxing, but if you have only ever seen it on TV, you might not be overly excited by the prospect. But trust us when we say that doing is different from watching! Plus, boxing is one of those all-round sports that can tick a lot of boxes in your fitness program and contribute to your wellbeing in surprising ways.
Boxing is good for your cardiovascular health
Throwing a punch uses a lot of different muscle groups including your arms, shoulders, core, back and legs. Working so many muscles at the same time gets your heart working hard, meaning that it gets quite a workout even in a short boxing session. And let’s not forget that jumping rope and circuit training are an essential part of most boxing programs.
Promotes strong bones and joints
The jumping and striking required in boxing put your body in weightbearing mode, which is essential for building bone density. This can protect you from a lot of bone related health issues in later life.
Encourages strong but toned muscles
To box with success, you need to be both strong and fast. So, the type of muscle develop that this promotes is strong but lean muscle, the ideal mix that many people are looking for.
Works your coordination
Boxing requires a lot of coordination to follow your opponent and land your strikes where you want to. This means that boxing is the type of exercise that will help you improve at a variety of sports as you develop greater control of your body.
Develops endurance
The combination of strength and cardiovascular training is ideal for building endurance and allowing you to work harder for longer without getting tired.
Teaches self defence
Boxing can give you essential tools needed to protect yourself. Of course, there is landing a punch in the right place and with the right force to stop an aggressor. But you will also learn to read people’s body language in a fight and anticipate their potential actions.
Relieves stress
When you are stressed or upset, few things feel as good as hitting something hard. Boxing can be a great way of working through pen up rage and getting back on an even footing. Plus, there are all those endorphins that accompany exercise.
You can find all of our articles related to the art of boxing here.
FAQs
Can I use boxing gloves for MMA?
You can use boxing gloves for MMA, but it is recommended to use lighter MMA gloves. Boxing gloves are heavy and bulky because they need lots of padding to protect fighters from the hundreds of blows, mostly to the head, that they receive during a boat.
The fighting styles used in MMA are more varied and include more body shorts and Ju Jitsu, reducing the pressure on the head. Consequently, lighter and more agile gloves can be used.
Do I need to wear anything under boxing gloves?
Yes, you should be using hand wraps under your gloves. While the padding of the gloves cushions the blow, the wraps secure all your moveable bones and joints to significantly reduce the likelihood of injury.
The Verdict
Boxing training covers a lot of your fitness needs, including cardiovascular training, strength, toning, and agility. It is also a skill that is challenging to master, which can make the process of training more enjoyable for some people than acts such as running or lifting. And the more you enjoy something, the more likely you are to stick to something.
While there is a lot to learn when it comes to boxing, you don’t need much to get started. But you do need a pair of gloves. Check out our recommendations for the best boxing gloves, and our complete buying guide to help you choose the right pair.
References
- The Begginers Guide to Boxing – Expert Boxing
- Essential Equipment for Boxing Beginners – Made4Boxing
- Boxing Gear: An Essential Guide for Beginners and Pros in 2021 – FightingReport
Last update on 2024-06-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
