Are you thinking of hanging a punching bag in your garage? Are you about to buy focus mitts and boxing gloves to workout with a friend at home? In their enthusiasm to be the next Rocky too many beginners buy the wrong boxing equipment.
Sadly it ends up in that big pile of stuff to collected in the next community clean up.
So let's get started with three quick tips to choose the right boxing equipment so you can get fighting fit at home, in the gym or anywhere.
Tip 1 - Wrap your Hands While a punching bag may not hit back, they have still bruised plenty of knuckles, wrists and hands.
That's why you need to wrap up.
Boxing, even for fitness, is an impact sport.
Punching bags are not as soft as they look, especially when you try to impress your friends by throwing that hero left hook, without gloves on.
Ouch.
Partner mitt work can hurt too.
Inexperienced partners holding the mitts (a.
k.
a focus pads) often "whack back" too hard or they hold the mitts in awkward positions, which can jar wrists and bruise knuckles.
Always use handwraps under your gloves.
Handwraps are long cloth bandages.
I prefer the elasticized type - which only cost around $10.
They stabilize the joints, give a tighter fit and reduce friction.
It's like a well-fitting pair of running shoes versus going for a jog in sandals.
Remember that cotton under gloves are not handwraps.
Under gloves smell-proof your hands but don't offer much support.
Tip 2 - Choose the Right Gloves In a nutshell, there are two types: Bag Gloves and Boxing Gloves.
Bag Gloves are smaller, with a soft, flexible place for your thumb.
They are lighter and cheaper, but don't offer as much support as Boxing Gloves, which have a solid thumb and more padding.
Boxing Gloves come in different weights: I suggest 8oz, 10oz or 12oz for women and kids, and 12 oz, 14oz or 16 oz for men.
Heavier gloves offer more padding, but are slower.
I prefer a lightweight boxing glove to train in - 10oz or 12oz.
If you have big hands you'll need a bigger glove.
MMA style fingerless gloves are another option, especially if you want to grapple, but don't offer as much protection for punching bag and partner mitt workouts.
Tip 3 - Choose your Target.
Focus Mitts, Punching Bags and Speedbags If you have a partner to train with, buy Focus Mitts.
If you are training by yourself get a Punching Bag.
A third option is to Shadow Box, where you just punch air.
Not a bad workout, but it's more fun to hit something! Things to Consider for Focus Mitts: Go for light weight - you don't want to be holding bricks.
Also not too hard.
Some are like concrete.
They should be snug without being too tight.
If you are swapping with a partner, make sure you can get them on and off quickly and easily, especially with handwraps on.
Things to Consider for Punching Bags: Choose a Punching Bag that is about half your body weight.
Hanging bags are usually cheaper than free standing, but involve some handy work to install.
Make sure it's not rock hard.
Have plenty of space, so you can move around.
What about Speedbag / Speedball? (think Million Dollar Baby) These are mainly for reflexes and hand speed.
It's only when you get good, that speedbags can give you a sweat.
You don't get to really sink your punches in or practice your combos, and it's quite a bit of work to set up a platform for it.
May you Get Fighting Fit!