Alright, let me tell you about my experience with 8 oz gloves. I’ve been boxing for a while now, and I’ve gone through a bunch of different gloves. I decided to try out 8 oz gloves for a few specific reasons, mainly for speed and working on technique.
First off, I bought a pair of Title 8 oz leather gloves. I went with leather because I wanted something that would last, you know? Plus, leather just feels better on your hands. Anyway, as soon as I got them, I tried them on. They were snug, real snug. That’s what you want, though. You don’t want your hands swimming around in your gloves.
Then, I started using them on the heavy bag. The first thing I noticed was how much faster my hands felt. I could snap punches out there quicker, and it was easier to work on my combinations. I was throwing more punches per round, focusing on crispness and accuracy.
But here’s the thing: 8 oz gloves don’t offer a ton of protection. So, I had to adjust my training. I couldn’t just wail on the heavy bag like I would with 16 oz gloves. I had to be more deliberate with my punches. I really concentrated on my form, making sure I was hitting with the right part of my fist and not overextending my wrists.
After a few weeks of heavy bag work, I moved on to mitt work with my trainer. This is where the 8 oz gloves really shined. I could hear the satisfying pop of the punches landing on the mitts. My trainer was able to give me immediate feedback on my technique because he could feel every little nuance in my punches.
One thing I definitely learned is that you need good hand wraps when you’re using 8 oz gloves. I mean, you should always use hand wraps, but it’s even more important with lighter gloves. They absorb sweat, support your wrists, and provide that extra layer of protection.
Of course, there were some drawbacks. My hands definitely felt the impact more. After a particularly hard session, my knuckles would be a little sore. That’s just part of the deal with lighter gloves. You’re sacrificing some protection for speed and technique.
To deal with the soreness, I started icing my hands after training and using arnica cream to reduce inflammation. It seemed to help. Also, I made sure to listen to my body. If my hands were feeling too beat up, I’d switch back to my heavier gloves for a session or two.
Overall, I’d say that training with 8 oz gloves has been a positive experience. They’ve helped me improve my hand speed, refine my technique, and become a more accurate puncher. I wouldn’t recommend them for every training session, especially if you’re just starting out. But if you’re looking to take your boxing to the next level, they’re definitely worth a try.
Here’s a quick recap of what I did:
- Bought 8 oz leather gloves.
- Used them on the heavy bag, focusing on technique.
- Practiced mitt work with my trainer.
- Learned the importance of good hand wraps.
- Dealt with some hand soreness.
- Improved my hand speed and accuracy.
So, yeah, that’s my 2 cents on 8 oz gloves. They’re not for everyone, but they can be a valuable tool in your boxing arsenal if used correctly.
