If you are a mixed martial arts enthusiast, then you know the importance of having the right equipment in the ring, such as MMA gloves. However, there are several varieties when it comes to MMA gloves and choosing the perfect one for you can prove to be overwhelming. Hence, here is a checklist of the things you need to consider before buying one.
Know the type of gloves
Grappling gloves
This type of gloves allows finger movement, but it is not suitable for an official fight or competition since these are generally heavier. They are more appropriate for ground fighting training wherein tackling and clinch work is done.
Sparring gloves
This type of gloves are necessary for long training sessions focusing on your accuracy and technique. This is because strength and strong punches are not the main objective of a sparring session. Nonetheless, these are heavier than your regular MMA gloves, providing extra protection to your hand because of the additional interior padding.
Competition gloves
Competition gloves are necessary when you are entering into an official tournament. These have little to no padding at all in its interiors, which is why these weigh comparably less. As such, you may want to use additional protection like a hand wrap to minimize your hand injury.
Consider the material
The next thing that you should evaluate is the material that the gloves are made of. The MMA gloves reviewed by upgloves.com feature pairs that are made from genuine leather and synthetic leather. The advantages and drawbacks of each of the glove pairs are also emphasized in the review. Nevertheless, synthetic leather is the cheaper option between the two, but genuine leather proves to be much better in numerous aspects, and the latter even lasts longer. The key thing is to get the pair that you are most comfortable with.
Weight and size
Finally, you also need to consider the size and weight of the gloves. Remember that sparring and training gloves generally weigh more than competition gloves and this can range anywhere from 7 to 10 ounces. Competition gloves only weigh 4 ounces at most and in specific competitions, they even weigh less.In addition to this, you need to get the right size of gloves and this is of utmost importance. This is because the size of the gloves will have a significant impact on your performance in the ring. A rather large or small pair can cause unnecessary injury. Thereby, it is important to measure the circumference of your palm and use this because the sizes of the gloves may vary between brands.
It can be deemed that the perfect MMA gloves can contribute to an effective training or a successful match in the ring. Thus, it is important to acquire one and while there may be several options for you to choose from, the perfect pair will definitely keep you safe as you practice the sport. If necessary, you can even acquire a couple of pairs to help you get through your training.
