Do you see boxing? Then you must have noticed that both the players wear padded gloves when hitting the other opponent. Those are called boxing gloves. The same is used as a safety gear to protect their faces too. The padded element serves as a cushion that reduces the impact of the punches during hardcore training and competition. According to Research and Markets, the market for boxing gloves has surged from $1.32 billion in 2023 to $1.42 billion in 2024. Watching the figures, a question pops ‘Can the boxing accessory be used for knocking lights out in other sports?’ Let’s learn in the blog below.
Boxing Gloves: Are They Practical Beyond The Ring?
There is no concrete response that can answer whether boxing gloves are practical beyond the ring, but it is said that they are not truly compatible with other similar sports. Why? Because of the following reasons:
Movement Is Restricted
Once you wear boxing gloves, you will observe the movement of your finger and wrist becomes limited. This acts as a barrier to performing critical techniques in other fighting sports such as wrestling or Muay Thai, where punching, clinching, throwing, and coming up with intricate hand strikes are required.
Concern For Safety
Boxing gloves are designed to lessen the harsh impact of punching during the sport. However, they might fail to protect you when you intend to go for open-hand strikes or hardcore tussle which is a usual strategy in other combat sports. That could ultimately lead to internal and external injuries, raising another problem as your hand might not be able to function properly.
Design Of Equipment
Like every combat has its own set of rules and regulations, the same logic applies to its hand gear too. The equipment is designed in a way that it becomes suitable for the specific fight. It has manufacturing exclusivity that makes sure you face no problem in using the right technique and remain safe in doing so too.
For instance, the boxing gloves used in MMA are open-fingered as grappling is a requirement in combat, while the padding proves to be a protection medium from the opponent’s punches. You will not be able to keep yourself safe if there is a design fault, therefore the gear for these sports are different from each other, keeping the way it has to be played in mind.
Boxing Gloves Can Be Used In Fitness Activities
Fitness activities can be an exception, but the usage is limited here too. We will tell you how:
Training With Heavy Bag
You might have seen fighters doing intense training with heavy bags. Yes, they wear boxing gloves as the practice demands to concentrate on techniques of punching, and power development. The padded accessory plays a pivotal role in giving your hand a certain degree of protection. However, bear in mind that gloves also need their due share of maintenance, otherwise, they won’t deliver the appropriate punching intensity needed during these fights.
Conclusion
So, can boxing gloves be your one-stop shop for knocking out workouts across all combat sports? Not quite. They’re like the perfect steak knife for…well, cutting steak. Amazing at their specific task, but not so great at tackling a bowl of cereal.
The good news? Boxing gloves can still be a fantastic tool in your fitness arsenal. Remember, looking good (and feeling safe) while you fight is a knockout combination all on its own.
