The various types of gloves used in mixed martial arts
(MMA) are not simply to protect your opponent – they're meant to protect you as
well, particularly while training. With regards to the various types of MMA equipment available, the
gloves used for MMA training are not necessarily the same as those used for
actual combat; likewise, gloves used by professional MMA fighters are different
from those used by amateurs.
There are a few different styles of MMA
training gloves, and depending on your specific training level and
objectives, you may use more than one type. The two main varieties are bag
gloves, which are essentially boxing gloves (like a mitten) and grappling
gloves, which have separate openings for the fingers and make it possible to
use the various wrestling moves permitted under MMA rules.
Bag gloves are good for bag work and sparring, but lack
the padding, flexibility and protection of grappling gloves. If you are using
bag gloves for training, it's best to use some MMA handwraps as
well.
Better (and higher-priced) grappling gloves have extra
padding over the knuckles, which minimize the risk of serious injury to both
combatants. The MMA gloves
used by professionals tend to be lighter in weight, topping out at about four
ounces. For training and amateur purposes, you will want gloves that weigh at
least six ounces, and preferably ten. There are two distinct benefits to
wearing weighted training gloves: one of these is of course the added
protection in the form of extra padding, but heavier gloves also force you to
train harder and aids in the development of the upper arms and shoulders. Aside
from the hips, glutes and upper legs, muscles such as the deltoids, traps, lats
and triceps are the most likely to suffer strain injuries. Developing extra
strength in these muscle groups not only makes you a more formidable fighter,
it will help you in avoiding injury as well.
One piece of MMA
gear that deserves to be mentioned is the muay thai style specialty
fight glove. Like boxing gloves, these are more like mitts – meaning they are
no separate finger openings. They are however much heavier than standard MMA
bag gloves or grappling gloves; in some cases, muay thai gloves weigh in at as
much as sixteen and twenty ounces. This is one reason that many MMA
participants enjoy using them for training purposes. In addition, muay thai
gloves have extended wrist protection, providing support and making it easier
for combatants to use the forearms to block punches and kicks.
It should be pointed out that while many web sites may
advertise "cheap MMA gloves," this is one aspect of your gear that
you should definitely spend more than a few bucks on. Gloves in the $20 - $40
range are not likely to be very durable or provide the necessary protection. If
you are seriously considering taking on the MMA training regimen then you ought
to make sure you obtain the proper MMA training equipment
regardless of whether or not you are training for combat, physical fitness, or
just to learn self defense tactics.
Therefore, you should plan on spending between $60 and $100 for a decent
set of MMA gloves that will be durable and meet or exceed MMA regulation
requirements.
