Are the weighted gloves the best tool that can help you to develop the quick hands and the powerful punches that you need?
If your muscles are not well developed, it means that they don’t function optimally and they don’t generate enough force and speed to achieve good results. The best way to improve the punching speed and power is to pick the right tool and exercises. Training with weighted gloves is one of the best ways to improve the stamina of the body, the power, and the speed of the hits.
Table of content
- What means “weighted gloves”!
- Weighted gloves or dumbbells?
- Choosing weighted gloves. Some tips.
- Our Choice! (comparison table)
- The Alternative!
What means “weighted gloves”!
The weighted gloves are used in boxing and mixed martial arts as a method of increasing muscle mass in the arms, shoulders, and upper back.
Stronger muscles lead to improved punching power and with the right combination of technical exercises, good results are also achieved to improve the speed of impact.
They are usually made with the addition of a variety of weights to fingerless gloves. The most commonly used are gloves with weights of two lbs, but weights depend on the results that must be achieved.
Some gloves are made so that the weights can be replaced with lighter or heavier ones if desired.
They are used in almost all sports. Except for improving the muscles of the arms and the back, the weighted gloves are used to increase the intensity of cardiovascular workouts and to improve muscle tone.
The best way that you can use weighted gloves when training, is by making shadow boxing. They are constructed to increase the cardio activity level and it is not a good idea to punch bag with them or worse – to sparring.
They don’t have any padding or protection that you need to protect your hands or your partner.
Weighted gloves or dumbbells?
As an alternative to weighted gloves in many boxing clubs, dumbbells of varying weights are used. Both methods are used to achieve better speed and improve the overall endurance of the athletes.
It is difficult to determine which one is a better tool for achieving the best power and speed of the punches.
Dumbbells are usually heavier than gloves. Their weight varies between one and forty-five kilograms, and some models can change their weight depending on the additional weight plates that can be added or removed.
Many boxers use the dumbbells as an alternative, but I prefer the gloves because in the case of a casual accident dumbbells can cause unpleasant injuries. (For example, your foot will not be grateful if you drop a 3-kilogram dumbbell on top of it.)
So the difference between the two tools is the degree of control. When using dumbbells during training your palms and wrists are constantly engaged and under stress.
On the other hand, the weighted gloves are conveniently attached to your hands and in most cases, you can use freely your fingers.
The other major difference between dumbbells and gloves is in weight distribution.
While holding the dumbbells, the weight is concentrated in the front of the hands, which loads the wrists. (Using wrist bands is highly recommended.)
The weight of the gloves is contained to the back of your hands and as I mentioned above is well fixed which keeps the weight in place during a hit. Moreover, when the fingers are free, a fist can be formed correctly, which is very important for the beginner’s training.
Whether to train with dumbbells or gloves, make your conclusions and decisions.
My opinion is that gloves are the best choice if you want to improve the speed and the power of the punches.
Dumbbells are more appropriate if you want to develop muscle mass because they allow for a much wider range of movements and exercises and are more a tool for fitness and bodybuilding.
Choosing weighted gloves. Some tips.
There is a huge variety on the market. Some weighted gloves are made of neoprene; others are made of leather or cloth. Some of them are fully closed or have a strap that passes through the palm; others are with an open palm, allowing easier gripping.
When choosing gloves, it would be good to comply with several factors:
- Free use of hands.
If you are an MMA fighter, look for gloves with weights concentrated on the back of the hand. It would be good for you to be able to push, throw and grasp.
- Gloves must be adjustable
Gloves that do not have this feature are bad for you if you want to practice a shadow box for longer sessions. The Gloves should fit you well and this is not possible unless you have an adjustable option. During a workout when your hands are sweaty, this feature is necessary.
- How to Choose Weight
The weight of the gloves should be adapted to the physical form of the athlete and the results to be achieved. Some research suggests that the best weight of the weighted gloves must be 20% more than the weight of the gloves we usually work with.
I find this video very useful when you are hesitant about how much should be the maximum weight of the gloves when shadowboxing.
MaxxMMA Adjustable Weighted Gloves
These gloves are great if you want to add some weight to your cardio workouts. They will help you build some muscle and make your movements more precise and fast without you even noticing. They are made out of neoprene for a comfortable, snug no-slip fit that is also breathable. They are sturdy and high quality, with removable weights inside in case you decide to switch how much weight you want to work out with, and they come in different colors for an extra stylish look!
They are quite sturdy and well built, easy to wash, and good looking as well. The only downside might be that the weight is too small for those of us that work out the regular and have some muscle already.
All in all, these weighted gloves are absolutely perfect if you just started boxing and you want to build some power into your punches, or if you want to make your movements faster!
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Prosource Fit Weighted Gloves
Prosource Fit Weighted Gloves are excellent if you love to be able to move your hand without feeling constricted and if you don’t like to feel the cloth around your hands: they are much, much more minimalistic than other weighted gloves yet they are still functional. Made out of neoprene and velcro, they offer a tight fit that won’t slip from your hand or move around, but the design makes this glove really breathable and comfortable, great for those that appreciate flexibility.
The material is sturdy yet comfortable and the design makes it really easy to close your hand and grip things, which comes in handy as the weight is not removable but built inside the glove. If you want to add extra weight to your workouts, you can always get some small dumbbells. There is not a lot of choices when it comes to colors or sizes either.
All in all, if you don’t enjoy feeling constricted when you work out and you enjoy being able to move your hands freely, these gloves are for you.
ADVANTAGES
- Minimalistic
- Tight fit
- Neoprene and Velcro
- Breathable
DISADVANTAGES
- The weight is not removable
- Few colors
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Xtra Edge Weighted Gloves
In addition, the materials are also excellent featuring lycra for its anti-odor capacities and an absorbent cloth to easily wipe your sweat off your brow. These gloves also come with a lot of choices in the size department, and the weights are removable for ease of wash and in case you want to increase how much weight you use.
Not a lot of choice when it comes to colors, however, but I don’t mind as I care for value over style.
All in all, perfect gloves for those that want sturdy, snug gloves that will last them a lifetime!
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Nayoya Weighted Gloves
These gloves are fantastic for those of you that prefer safety and sturdiness over the flexibility of the material. These gloves are quite big, however, they feel light and don’t impede your movements too much which makes them perfect for beginners (the lightweight of 1 pound is also very easy to work with too).
The materials are neoprene and velcro which makes these gloves quite breathable and soft, and the sweat dries fast (you will still want to wash them between workouts, however). They are easy to put on, but a little more oppressive than other types of gloves and they offer some resistance if you want to close your fist. They are also great for petite women, as they provide a quite snug and comfortable fit that won’t slip even if you are small.
The only downsides are they don’t offer a big variety of colors and sizes and I don’t think the weight is removable, but you can always add dumbbells to your boxing if you want to increase the weight!
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Ringside Weighted Gloves
These sturdy and well-built gloves are great for those of us that love a tight fit that won’t slip. The Ringside Weighted Gloves are comfortable and snug and they provide a comfortable fit that embraces your arm without being too constrictive, so it helps you feel safe and like it won’t slip while still allowing you to move your arm.
Ringside weighted gloves are made out of neoprene and velcro for an extra of flexibility and breathability that always comes in handy when you are working out, and while they don’t offer a lot of selection when it comes to sizing or colors they do allow you to choose how much you want them to weight: either 2 lbs per hand or 3 lbs per hand; (However the weight is not removable so if you want to increase it you will have to use dumbbells !)
Wonderful gloves for those of us that value practicality over style!
ADVANTAGES
- Comfortable fit
- Neoprene and Velcro
- Extra flexibility and breathability
DISADVANTAGES
- Lack of sizing and colors
- The weight is not removable
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Playwell Martial Arts Weighted Gloves
Playwell weighted shadow boxing gloves feature a rather unconventional design that embraces your wrist and even part of your forearm. While it doesn’t allow for a lot of mobility, it does provide an extra layer of protection that is very reassuring for those of us that worry about them slipping!
They are made out of neoprene and velcro, which makes them very snug and comfortable, yet breathable: you won’t sweat much at all. Their unconventional design also embraces your fingers in a comfortable and safe way, providing a tight fit that is not oppressive or annoying, and that will let you move your fingers easily.
Playwell weighted shadow boxing gloves are slightly heavier than most shadow boxing gloves, which makes them nice if you are a little bit stronger. However, they do not provide a lot of choices when it comes to colors or sizes, and the weights are not removable.
They are excellent if you worry about a comfortable snug fit while training, but not great if your main concern is style!
ADVANTAGES
- An extra layer of protection
- Neoprene and Velcro
- Good for muscle development
- Tight fit
- Unconventional design
DISADVANTAGES
- Doesn’t allow a lot of mobility
- The weights are not removable
- Few colors and sizes
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Ring to Cage Power Weighted Super Bag Boxing Gloves
These gloves are absolutely perfect for those that appreciate having a more “traditional” glove that completely covers their hands and provides an extra layer of protection, instead of those gloves that offer more flexibility and breathability.
These gloves are excellent, sturdy, and high quality, made out of genuine leather and they have a zip on the wrist to keep them snug and comfortable without them slipping off or moving, which is fantastic if you don’t like your gloves slipping off. They also come with different weights and you can add as many or as little as you want, which is great for when you are a little more advanced.
The only downsides are that they don’t offer a lot of choices when it comes to sizes or colors, and they aren’t great if you prefer gloves where you are able to move your hands freely.
All in all, these are some of the best gloves for shadow boxing!
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Meister Elite Neoprene Weighted Gloves
OUR CHOICE!
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The Alternative!
Resistance bands
I must mention another alternative to the dumbbells and gloves that gain popularity. It is called “Resistance bands”. This is a very cleverly designed tool for MMA, Traditional martial arts, and Shadowboxing training.
It is a belt that is wrapped around the waist. Few elastic straps are attached for gaining resistance. Thanks to this resistance when punching, your muscles gradually begin to adapt. With time, speed and strength will grow naturally.
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Conclusion
Using weighted gloves in shadow boxing is a good idea mainly because you can feel almost an instant improvement in your punching speed after a few sessions of hard training.
Besides, shadowboxing with weights, works wonderful for building of shoulder and arm strength, especially if you’re looking to build punching power as well as punch speed.
