Issue 044
December 2008
By Rosi Sexton.
Why use them?
MMA sparring gloves give you the ability to grip with your hands like regular 4oz MMA gloves, but are more padded, so you are less likely to cut or damage your training partner with your punches.
When would you use them?
You might use them when sparring MMA, when drilling striking from in the clinch, or training ground n’ pound on the floor. In addition, some events often insist on sparring gloves being used for amateur fights.
KEY FEATURES
Finger holes
MMA sparring gloves come in two basic types. There are gloves with individual finger holes (similar to most fight gloves), and there are those with a single piece of padding on the front and finger loops stitched to the underside. Which to get is a matter of personal preference. Gloves with individual finger holes tend to feel more like fight gloves, but some people find them a little stiff and inflexible (especially when new). Remember that this will become less of a problem with repeated use. Gloves with individual finger holes are often more durable than those with stitched finger loops – with enough abuse, you can find the loops coming away from the padding on even a well-sewn pair of gloves.
Padding
There is a lot of variation between brands as to how padded they are, how firm the padding is and how evenly it is distributed. Some styles have a firm block of padding over the knuckles whereas others have it more evenly distributed over the glove. Each will feel different, and one may feel better for striking at distance, another for grappling, and perhaps a third for ground n’ pound or striking in the clinch. Your preference will depend on your style of fighting and what you plan to use the gloves for.
Wrist wrap
Sparring gloves generally come with a wrist wrap and a hook and loop fastening. The length of the wrap and the amount of fastener varies between brands. Many people prefer a wrap which is long enough to go around the wrist a couple of times, with short wraps more likely to come undone during sparring.
Always wanted to know...
When should I change my boxing gloves?
As for how long the process actually takes, a definite length of time can’t be given as it depends on so many factors, i.e. training time, frequency of use, duration, size of athlete etc. Two pro fighters; Mike Bisping and Dan Hardy change their gloves roughly every 3-4 months which we estimate is about 240 hours of use. The same usage by a “hobby” fighter training for 2-3 hours a week would equate to 2 to 3 years of use, probably even longer as they are unlikely to be hitting as hard or as often. This is based on good quality high end gloves being used. As with most things the lower quality option often turns out to be the most expensive as they need to be replaced more frequently, often in a matter of weeks.
Simon Crowther Fightshop
www.fightshop.com
GENERAL TIPS
Try different brands before you buy your own
If possible, borrow some sparring gloves from your training partners for a test drive before you shell out for your own pair. If you can’t do this, then choose your gloves at a place where you can try several different pairs before you buy. If you absolutely have to buy online, make sure the seller has a return policy and don’t be afraid to use it.
Get used to your gloves
If you use MMA sparring gloves regularly make sure you have your own pair so that you can get used to how they feel. The extra padding can make the gloves feel awkward at first, especially when punching. If you will be wearing sparring gloves to fight (for example, in an amateur competition) then it is well worth finding out the brand beforehand and getting a pair to train in.
Don’t get too used to your gloves
If you use sparring gloves in training but fight in standard 4oz gloves then bear the differences in mind. Even the slightly increased reach that you have with some brands of sparring gloves will make a difference to your timing and sense of distance. By all means use them in training when it’s appropriate, but don’t use them to the exclusion of the gloves you will be fighting in.
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