July 14, 2017 0:00

// Pneumatic weapons

The history of martial arts originates from ancient times. In ancient Greece, fist fights were popular. It was there that the rules of combat were formed and the first protection of the hands was developed. Initially, boxing gloves had nothing to do with the modern prototype. They were three-meter belts made of fat-treated bovine leather that were wound around the hands.

Now, for the comfort of fighters, manufacturers of sports equipment produce gloves made of high-quality modern materials. The range is designed for athletes of different levels. It is important that the chosen model corresponds to the intensity of training, fits in size and is comfortable. Let’s consider the main characteristics of boxing gloves, which should be paid attention to when buying them.

Types of boxing gloves

All modern models can be divided into three categories.

• Combat boxing gloves. Designed for operation in harsh competitive conditions. The design provides the possibility of applying a powerful blow without consequences for the brush. Equipped with tight lacing for secure fixation.
• Training. Designed for gym classes. Thanks to convenient fasteners (Velcro or a wide elastic band), they are quickly removed and put on. They are the best option for sparring. However, they are not suitable for training with bags, as they can tear.
• Projectile. In shape, they are as close as possible to the anatomy of the fist. They are used during classes using sports equipment. Tightly fit the brush, light, comfortable.

Size and weight

Gloves of various sizes can be found only in the category of “projectile”. They are manufactured in accordance with generally recognized European standards: S, M, L, XL. All other models are selected by weight, the unit of measurement of which is an ounce.

1 ounce (oz) = 28.35 g. To avoid damage to the hands, do not purchase training gloves weighing less than 12 ounces.

The gradation of the dimensional series has the following form:

It is preferable for adult beginners to purchase gloves weighing from 12 to 16 oz. They help strengthen the shoulder girdle and, at the same time, perfectly protect against injury.

In boxing gloves, there is an effect of a slight under-pressure of the fist. The thumb should be pressed against the palm, the necessary space should be allocated for it in the glove. Otherwise, there is a risk of knocking out a finger during lateral strikes. The palm and wrist should not “walk” in boxing gloves – sooner or later this will lead to serious injuries.

The fixation of the brush should occur clearly in a horizontal position, the stiffeners should prevent it from being lifted up. It is best when the brush gets a minimum of freedom of movement. Velcro on boxing gloves should additionally fix the brush, without giving it additional free space.

The size of boxing gloves should not be large, but also not small. With an unsuitable size, boxing gloves are stretched very tight, fingers cannot be completely clenched into a fist, there is a feeling of discomfort. In small boxing gloves, there is a risk of injuring the thumb during side blows, since there is not enough free space in the equipment for it. Do not forget about bandages.  They can be of different densities and lengths, so it’s better to have boxing gloves with a small margin.

It is also important to monitor the number of ventilation holes. If there are too few of them, the hand will sweat and sweat during training. Inexpensive boxing gloves usually have 2-4 holes, but this is not quite enough for high-quality ventilation. Such equipment can be used by beginners, whose training sessions are short in time. Professional boxing gloves have a large ventilation mesh, which helps the hands to breathe and not sweat even during a long session.

Boxing gloves construction

The most important part of boxing gloves is considered to be the shock upper part. Therefore, the shape, material and filling of this part of the gloves should not only protect the hands of the boxer himself, but also not be traumatic for his opponent.

An important role in the design of boxing gloves belongs to the cuff. This is a strip made of leather or a substitute, which is wrapped around the hands of a boxer. This glove element fixes the hands and protects them from dislocations and other injuries.

Boxing gloves of professionals and amateurs differ in their design. In professional gloves, the fist is easily compressed, since the stuffing is evenly distributed along the entire length. The design of the gloves of amateur boxers is made in such a way that an effort is required to compress the fist, and a thick layer of filler specifically extinguishes the knockout blow.

Type of fixation

There are three types of fixing boxing gloves.

• Lacing. It is mainly used in professional models. Provides reliable fixation and protection. The disadvantage of this option is the need for third-party help for lacing.
• Velcro. Convenient to use. They allow you to easily and independently put on and take off gloves.
• Rubber band. It is found on children’s and women’s models.

The color of professional boxing gloves

Red is a classic color for boxing gloves, but this shade is less noticeable to the human eye than others. For sparring and training, light-colored models are preferred, which the opponent and the coach will be able to see well. Blue and green gloves are also clearly visible in the ring. But it should be borne in mind that light equipment requires more careful care and regular cleaning in order to maintain an attractive appearance for a long time.

Material and filler

Boxing gloves made of the following materials are available for sale:

• genuine leather;
• artificial leather.

Most athletes prefer to buy professional boxing leather gloves. They have a large margin of safety, a long service life, do not wear out and retain their shape well. Choosing professional boxing gloves, you need to order high-quality leather models. Hands in them will not sweat, and all moisture will naturally be removed outside.

Due to the high price of leather boxing gloves, substitute models are popular. They are much cheaper, but the quality of such gloves is not so high. Manufacturers today offer high-quality models of boxing gloves made of leatherette, which can last for quite a long time without losing shape and without wearing out. When ordering inexpensive boxing gloves, it is best to give preference to proven brands that have proven themselves well in the market. Low-quality models or fakes will last very little, will crack quickly, will float and cause a feeling of discomfort.

Beginners should not buy professional boxing gloves made of genuine leather for the first lesson. If you don’t like the training, expensive equipment will lie unclaimed. But even the cheapest gloves can leave unpleasant impressions from boxing. The optimal choice will be a combined model, which is made of leatherette with inserts made of genuine leather, which help to increase strength in places with the highest load.

As a filler, manufacturers use materials such as:

• polyurethane foam;
• foam rubber;
• horsehair and cotton wool. They have been used before.

Of all the listed options, only cotton wool has negative nuances. In the process of wearing gloves, it gets knocked off, deformed, so it is better to refuse to buy such models.

Some manufacturers equip gloves with a special moisture-resistant lining. It promotes proper air circulation, prevents moisture formation and creates comfortable conditions for the skin of the hands.

Recommendations for the care of boxing gloves

In order for the material of boxing gloves to be preserved intact and last longer, and the inner stuffing is not affected by fungal infections and unpleasant odors, it is necessary to follow the following tips:

• Use boxing bandages. When using them, the insides of the gloves do not get wet, which significantly reduces the drying process. But you will have to wash the bandages regularly.
• After use, clean the gloves from the outside. To prevent the outer surface from becoming unusable, it is enough to wipe it with a soft cloth moistened with a soap solution. It is not recommended to machine wash boxing gloves. This can lead to loss of shape and damage to the material.
• Remove the unpleasant smell. To do this, you can use shoe deodorants or special sprays. Before using such cosmetics, it is necessary to make sure that there are no allergens in their composition that negatively affect the skin of the hands.
• Mandatory drying after each use. To do this, it is enough to stuff lumps of newspapers inside boxing gloves, which will perfectly absorb all the moisture. In addition, special shoe dryers can be used.

These simple tips will help not only prolong the life of boxing equipment, but also protect your hands from fungus and bacteria.

Fitting boxing gloves

Before trying on boxing gloves, you need to wrap your palms with a special boxing bandage. The optimal length of the bandage is 3 m. The best in quality are cotton bandages that let in air and absorb moisture. With the help of bandages, you can keep the gloves dry and clean.

Before ordering boxing gloves, it will be good to try on several models in Odessa, Kiev and other cities and choose the best option. The size should be chosen so that the hands in bandages are comfortable enough and not cramped. Be sure to pay attention to the protection of the thumb, which can significantly reduce the likelihood of injury during training and sparring.

It is important to keep in mind that over time, boxing gloves will stretch. Therefore, during fitting, the equipment should be slightly narrow – over time, the gloves spread, taking the form of hands.

When purchasing boxing gloves, it is better to make a choice in favor of proven brands that are known for the quality of their products. For example, such as Title, Everlast or Venum. The pursuit of cheapness is fraught with the risk of injury. By paying once for a high-quality model, you will thereby provide reliable protection and comfort to your hands.