Boxing requires a combination of speed and strength to build agility and power. Fortunately, in addition to learning proper form and techniques, there are several tools to help enhance your training and performance.
Enter: weighted gloves.
Weighted gloves, which are different from boxing gloves, are underrated as an impactful tool to increase punching efficiency and accuracy.
In this blog, we’ll cover the benefits of weighted gloves and how to incorporate them into your everyday boxing training. See how you can use them to your advantage to take your training to the next level.
What Are Weighted Gloves?
Though boxing gloves are sized by different weights, they are not the same as weighted gloves. Weighted gloves are designed to complement cardio drills, including shadowboxing and technique work.
The weight itself is typically between one and three pounds of weight for each hand and is evenly distributed. Wearing them helps to strengthen the wrists by adding light resistance to every punch and movement.
How Weighted Gloves Help
Weighted gloves can elevate your boxing prowess with regular use over time. After consistent use, you’ll start to feel and notice the difference with every strike. Some of the many benefits include:
Increased Hand Speed
Shadowboxing with weighted gloves adds a drag to punches without compromising form.
Then, when boxing without the weight, performing the same drills is easier and faster because the reaction time is improved. This is similar to other types of resistance training, such as runners who use ankle weights to improve their sprint time.
More Explosive Combinations
Practicing punching combos with resistance makes your hands more fluid and responsive under real fight conditions.
Eventually, it results in more explosive punch combinations because the reaction time is faster and the hands are quicker to move.
Endurance, Stamina & Shoulder Strength
Wearing weighted gloves also lends itself to building endurance over time to feel stronger and more confident with every punch. By keeping the hands weighted down, it builds strength in the shoulders without overextending the muscles.
Additionally, holding a guard position with weight fatigues arms quickly to build muscle endurance over time. This helps train boxers to keep hands up late into rounds to defend against opponents and still land accurate punches.
Read: Do Punch Bags Build Muscle
Total-Body Cardio Conditioning
Adding weighted gloves to your boxing training arsenal also aids in overall body conditioning.
The extra resistance and effort elevate the heart rate when shadowboxing with weighted gloves, which makes it an excellent tool for a HIIT workout or warm-up before you switch to boxing gloves.
Also, as the body adapts to handling more weight, it improves the rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Once back to using regular boxing gloves, it feels more effortless, allowing for longer, more intense training sessions with less fatigue.
Maintain Form
Many wonder if using dumbbells offers the same benefits of weighted gloves. Though weight-wise, it may be the same, the mechanics are different.
Holding onto dumbbells often leads to unnecessary strain on the muscles. Plus, a poor or uneven grip between hands can lead to a risk of injury.
Whereas, weighted gloves are specifically designed for even weight distribution across the hand. This allows you to keep your guard and throw combinations mimicking real technique without the inconvenience and clunkiness of holding hand weights.
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Incorporating Weighted Gloves Into Your Boxing Training
When you’re ready to elevate your training and use weighted gloves, start slowly. Going too hard too fast only leads to injury and discomfort, so work at a steady pace.
Use them for shadowboxing before switching to boxing gloves for bag work. It’s recommended to use weighted gloves to warm up, for two or three rounds maximum.
To answer the question: Do weighted gloves build strength? The answer is yes. However, it’s best to primarily focus on technique and movement rather than continuing to add weight.
Weighted gloves aren’t a replacement for strength training and conditioning, but will build strength, speed, and endurance over time.
Train Like a Pro with Weighted Gloves
Get more from your boxing training by leveraging the benefits of weighted gloves. Even adding one or two extra pounds to the hands will help you punch faster and harder without sacrificing form and technique.
Amp up your cardio output while feeling less fatigued during long, intense boxing sessions. When it’s time to kick your boxing training into high gear, Hayabusa has you covered.
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