Tag Archives: Boxing

What are Handwraps and why are they important

Handwraps can be worn in any combat sport which involves striking such as Boxing and Muay Thai. They provide hand protection and wrist support if worn correctly. Helping to protect all the small bones and joints in your hands.

If you have never worn a pair of Handwraps before or would just like to know how to put them on properly then click here to read our how-to guide.

Handwraps generally go under your boxing gloves to provide you with extra support while you train. You will sometimes see people with just their wraps on during activities like shadow boxing, light pad work or even using a double-ended bag. They help to prevent injuries, provide you with a secure fit and allow you to endure extra rounds.

Types of Handwraps

There are three main types of Handwraps, Traditional, Mexican Style and Quick-Gel Handwraps. Each has its advantages and offer slightly different Boxing protection. We will go through them all now so you can make the right decision when buying yours.

Traditional Style

Traditional style handwraps are made from 100% cotton and for decades they were the standard in the industry. They have been around for hundreds of years but came into full use in the 1920s and they have been used ever since.

They are normally a cheaper option and tend to hold their shape very well. Traditional wraps seem to last for longer than Mexican style wraps as they don’t have any elastic which can start to break down over time.

Unfortunately, you will not get the perfect fit like with Mexican though as they can be quite rigid. As newer technology has come out over the years the way handwraps have been made has changed. Traditional style handwraps still use 100% cotton which is no longer the best way to protect your hands.

Mexican Style

Mexican style handwraps have only been around for about 20 years. Even though they are a lot newer on the boxing scene they are now the most popular choice used by boxers everywhere. They are normally slightly more expensive than their cotton counterpart. This is because they are made from a durable, semi-elastic material that conforms to your hand.

They provide you with a more secure and flexible fit. Made from a blend of 50% cotton and 50% nylon. They are ultra-soft, breathable and help to keep your hands comfortable while training.

They are also fine to go in the washing machine. It is recommended that you wash your wraps once a week to keep them clean and fresh. You should put them on a cold wash and in a wash bag as well to protect them.

Quick Handwraps or Fast Handwraps

Quick-Gel Handwraps are an even more expensive option again. Lots of people see these as the smart choice as you can slide your handwraps on and off in seconds. It takes a fraction of the time to put these on compared to the other two options. And you also don’t have to worry about rolling them back up after training either.

They don’t provide you with as much of a secure fit compared to the Mexican style but lots of people tend to pick quick wraps due to the ease of use. They take less than 30 seconds to put on and they tend to last for longer than standard handwraps if looked after correctly as well.

Tape and Gauze

Another less popular type of protection you may come across are Tape and Gauze. Used by pros in competitive fights, they provide the best support and protection. These are only really used by the professionals during competitive fights so your average everyday boxer may have never seen these before.

They will be applied by an expert before the fight and will need to be cut off after. They provide you with the best fit of any handwraps if applied correctly but due to the fact they can only be used once they are not a viable alternative for everyday training.

When should you wear handwraps

You should wear handwraps anytime you are training Martial Arts. If you are Boxing, Kickboxing or training Muay Thai it is recommended you wrap your hands. This goes for pad work or sparing at the end of a class, and especially for heavy bags.

You are giving your hands the best possible protection and also allowing yourself to train as hard as possible while reducing the chances of injury. Some people think handwraps are for extra padding but they are actually to provide support for your hands and wrists. They hold all of the bones and joints together properly in your hand to prevent fractures or RSI (repetitive strain injury)

If you ever watch Muay Thai fighters or professional Boxers like Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua, they will always have their hands wrapped. Your gloves offer a lot of protection but handwraps provide you with something extra. They keep everything tight and compact and practically act as a wrist brace. There is a reason almost every single traditional martial art, like Kung Fu or Thai Boxing, make use of handwraps.

What length should you pick

Most handwraps are 180″ or 4.5 meters long, this goes for traditional and Mexican style wraps. Generally, you will find that this length fits perfectly but some people who wear smaller gloves may struggle to get theirs to fit correctly.

Especially for children, 180″ will normally be too long. The handwraps will seem bulky and their gloves will not fit properly. We advise getting a pair of smaller handwraps such as 120″ which will offer the correct protection. They will fit comfortably while still providing you with the right support.

How to look after your handwraps

Just like with your boxing gloves it is best to let your handwraps dry after training. The worst thing you can do is roll them straight back up and put them in your sweaty gym bag. Ideally, you would leave them somewhere to air out and dry before rolling them back up.

It is also recommended to wash them once a week. This helps to clean any bacteria off and keep them smelling fresh. You may want to invest in a wash bag as well, this will protect your handwraps and washing machine and they are relatively cheap as well.

When should I replace my handwraps

You should look to replace your handwraps every 2 years. One of the main reasons people look to replace theirs is due to the smell but the main reason is that you won’t be getting the correct protection anymore. Handwraps will start to degrade from the inside first where you can’t see before they start to fray or tear. Especially, with Mexican style wraps, the elastic will start to break down and you won’t be getting the same protection anymore.

Our thoughts

It doesn’t matter if you train full time in a Muay Thai gym or are just trying to lose weight in a Boxing class, you should always wrap your hands. If you want to get the best protection then Mexican style handwraps are the way to go. They provide you with the best fit thanks to their ultra-soft and breathable material and they are not too much more expensive than traditional wraps.
If however you are not training every day or you simply don’t want to spend the first half of your class wrapping your hands then the best way to go is quick-gel handwraps. They are easy to put on and it will take you less than 30 seconds to wraps your hands. You will not have to roll them back up either after training.

We offer a wide range of handwraps and protective gloves which you can find on our website here. If you are new to Martial Arts and not sure what type of Boxing gloves to pick then read our blog here to help you make the best decision.

Black and White T3 Kanpeki Gloves

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The brand new Black and White T3 Kanpeki Boxing gloves are 100% full grain leather and Hayabusa’s best product to date. We have redesigned our most popular product ever and brought them to you in two new colours. The Jet Black and Arctic White Kanpeki Boxing gloves.

Don’t worry though, we have of course left in everyone’s favourite feature. Our patented Dual-X strap which sets our gloves aside from every other martial arts company. And is part of the reason Hayabusa is the brand it is today.

We were trying to come up with a new product one day but wanted to make sure it wouldn’t just be something to fill our shelves. We were all adamant that we wanted to create something everyone would love. So we took our time and left the design team to it. Eventually, someone had an interesting point. There’s so much variation in our T3 Boxing glove range but none in the Kanpeki line. So we thought why not offer our best seller in more colours. And so we set to work on designing what they could look like.

We didn’t want to cause any damage to our favourite products reputation. So we spend our time working on these new gloves until we finally had them complete. And once we were finished, we spent even longer getting feedback from our loyal fanbase. It wasn’t long before we realised we had something special on our hands. And we were right, they were an instant hit. So that’s why we are proud to offer you the new and exclusive Jet Black and Arctic White Kanpeki Boxing gloves.

If you love the Black and White T3 Kanpeki gloves as much as we do, and we’re sure you will then click here to take a better look at them on our website.

T3 Boxing Gloves by Hayabusa

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Overview of the T3 Boxing Gloves

Hayabusa’s T3 Boxing Gloves are the result of our obsession with research, testing and development. They have been designed by our specialist team and are the combination of years of innovation paired with cutting-edge design. You won’t find a similar pair of gloves anywhere else in the world. These gloves have been designed for one main reason, to protect you. We didn’t just want to only protect you but also give you something which you can feel proud of when you walk into your gym. That’s why we also believe you will be getting the best looking gloves on the market.

Our Wrist Support

If you’re willing to spend a little more to get the maximum protection available, then you have come to the right place. All of the T3 boxing gloves come with our patented DUAL-X closure system. This provides a lace-like fit but without the hassle of tying them up. The gloves use four interlocking splints, a design which has also been patented. This means we are the only brand in the world who can offer you this feature. And provide you with extra wrist support which in turn offers you more protection. This will let you hit harder and faster without worrying about an injury, but that’s just the beginning.

Design

Our gloves use a five-layer foam structure but it does not require breaking. This means you can jump straight into your training without having to soften up your gloves first like many other brands. The T3 line has been designed to deliver the best performance for both bag work and sparring. All of our gloves have been handcrafted with top of the range engineered PU leather, which means that they won’t crack or tear. So you don’t have to worry about your gloves and can focus on the important thing, your training.

Technology

Our gloves do not only just look and feel great though. They have an antimicrobial lining that is inside every glove. This technology stops bacteria growth and minimises odour, which means one of the biggest problems everyone has with there gloves is no longer an issue, the smell. Your gloves will also come with a microfiber thumb which you can use to wipe down your face during training. Quickly eliminating any sweat, letting you focus on your training.

New Products

Hayabusa has been at the forefront of design and innovation for almost a decade and they aren’t showing any signs of slowing up. Their latest release has caused quite the stir and sent the brand from being recognised as the leading martial arts manufacturer in the industry to worldwide recognition. Click here to find out more about their new Marvel Range.

Why Choose T3 Boxing Gloves

These professional gloves are perfect to use for any training. Boxing, kickboxing, heavy bags or sparring. And if you are still not convinced then ask yourself, why are they good enough for the former UFC Middleweight champ GSP and not you.

All of those features in one glove makes for a menacing thought. And the only question that’s really left is what colour to buy. The current colour variations include Black & Grey, Black & Red, Black & Blue, White & Black, Black/Green and Black/Purple. And in sizes 10oz, 12oz, 14oz and 16oz. So do the right thing for your hands and click here to buy these gloves.

The Perfect Pair Of Boxing Handwraps

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If you’re new to boxing and not sure exactly what you need to do then it’s important you make sure you’re as safe as possible while training. Boxing handwraps will protect you and your partner while training. Allowing you to hit harder without worrying about injuring your hands. In this blog, I will be taking you through two things. Why handwraps are so important and what makes a good pair. Hopefully, this will help you to choose your own and stay safe.

When Should I Wear Handwraps

Firstly, it is recommended that handwraps are worn for both bag work and sparring with a partner. This is to protect your hands and wrists against injuries which are caused by punching. And as you can imagine there’s a lot of that in boxing. Repeatedly, hitting a bag or jabbing a partner will eventually cause injury so the wraps are there to help minimise this.

Can I Wear Them During A Fight

It’s not just a good idea to wear them during a fight but it’s necessary. Officials are required to check that handwraps are being worn by both fighters before a fight starts in order to protect the boxers. If you don’t want to wear them then you will not be allowed to fight.

Make Sure Your Wraps Go With Your Gloves

And I’m not talking about getting matching colours here. If you are planning on buying a pair of boxing gloves, then make sure you try the gloves on with your wraps. This is so you can see how the gloves fit while you are wearing your handwraps. You need to make sure the gloves are not too tight or loose with your wraps. If you are not sure what gloves you should be buying then why not take a look at our guide here to find out what will be best for you.

What Makes A Good Pair Of Wraps

So now that you know why wraps are important we will get into what makes a good pair. An important part of this is making sure you have good quality hand wraps. And that they’re the right ones for you. If you opt for a cheaper pair then they will not provide you with the level of protection that you need. You want to find some with thick enough material to provide you with adequate padding for your training. And after protection the second best thing is looking good while wearing them. Just like with the new Punisher Handwraps below. If you would like to see the whole Marvel range then click here.

Hayabusa Handwraps

The new Hayabusa handwraps which you can find here, offer maximum protection. They have been designed with an innovative material which helps conform to your hand and aligns your hand and wrist. These high-performance wraps will protect the many small joints, bones and tendons from repeated impact during training. They also offer a hook & loop closure system which is 71% longer than rivals which ensures a superior and secure fit every time you train. This is to stop your wraps from coming undone during training. Which can cause them to loosen around your hand and therefore not offer you the best protection which can lead to injury!

Style Of Wraps

Another important aspect of great handwraps in their style. There are two main styles, traditional and Mexican. Traditional handwraps are made from cotton alone and have been around the longest. They do provide you with a tighter fit but do not stretch. This is why they have been replaced by the more popular Mexican style wraps. Mexican handwraps are a more modern version which is a blend of spandex and semi-elastic cotton. Mexican will always be the best option and they are a more comfortable choice as well.

Length Of Wraps

You will want to make sure your handwraps are long enough. Any wrap under 180″ won’t give you the necessary support and protection that you need and it is wise to stay away from anything less. Some children or people who have smaller hands may look for a shorter wrap and 120″ is popular for kids but the longer the wrap the more padding you will have and the safer you will be.

How To Put Your Handwraps On

What’s the point in buying a great pair of hand wraps unless you know how to put them on. How you wrap your hands, is just as important as buying a good pair. You could have the best handwraps in the world but unless you know how to put them on properly you are risking injury. So click here to see our guide on how to properly put your wraps on. There are several different ways to wrap your hands but any variations from the ones we have just shown you will be fine. Remember to try and cover all of your hand with an even layer of material.

Recap What We’ve Learned

So now that you have all the information it’s time to go out and get you handwraps. Remember the important bits though. Mexican over traditional. Nothing under 180″ long. Look for something with a long and secure hook & loop closure system. And make sure you try them on with your gloves before you buy anything.

Why You Should Take Up A Martial Art This Summer

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There’s more to martial arts than just getting kicked or thrown onto the ground and you don’t have to be a pro to join a class. Today I am going to talk you through all the benefits of taking up a martial art this summer.

martial art picture

Fitness

It will help you get in shape or even just lose a few extra pounds. Whether its BJJ, wrestling or Muay Thai, anything is going to make you sweat. Especially in the heat that we have been having recently. And that’s what is going to make you lose weight. In addition, you will also be adding some muscle as well. So you’re not just going to slim down but also going to pack on some muscle as well. Perfect for those poolside photos.

Make Friends

Every class you go to is going to have other people in or there wouldn’t be much point in attending. Having lots of training partner won’t just help you with your chosen discipline. It also means there are more people to talk to. While you may get the odd person in a gym that only wants to hurt people the majority of student will be trying to help you and even getting to know you. So why not see if you can make a new friend or two.

gym photo

Protect yourself

One of the main reasons people get into martial arts is to learn how to handle themselves, and you shouldn’t be any different. You might never want to have a fight in your life but it doesn’t hurt to know how to look after yourself. If you ever end up in a situation where no one else is there to help you. Just knowing a few simple moves might be all the difference between you going home or ending up in the hospital in that situation.

A Challenge

Lots of martial arts such as BJJ, Judo and Karate all have rankings and belts that you can earn. And depending on the discipline you choose you might even be able to get your first promotion before the end of summer. Imagine how that would feel when you go back to work or school. Being able to tell everyone you have taken up a martial art and you have already earned your first belt.

kickboxing

An Eye Opener

If you do decide to go down to a class then you will learn pretty quick that it doesn’t matter how big or strong you are. There will be people half your size tapping the biggest guys in the class. The technique will always overcome strength and don’t get disheartened if you get tapped even if it is by someone a lot smaller than you. Don’t have an ego.

Why Martial Art Is For Everyone

Martial arts are for everyone and it doesn’t matter if you’re a girl, short, overweight or old. Really anyone can start. The majority of gyms have girls training in them nowadays and while there is no problem guys and girls training together it can be difficult for women to train with someone who is so much bigger and stronger than them. So why not get some of your friends together and all go together and see what its like for yourself. And if there is already a girl training there she will love having someone her size to practice on.

Lots of gyms also offer kids classes but even if they don’t everyone in the gym will know to take it easy. So don’t worry about your children getting injured. And the younger they start the better they will be in the future, maybe even the next world champion. You would be surprised to see how many students are over 40 that train. So if you think your past it and you wouldn’t be any good at it think again. There will definitely be someone for you to train with, no matter who you are.

Hopefully, you have read something that’s opened your eyes or made you want to see for yourself. So remember it doesn’t matter how big or strong you are. If you’re old or a girl. Martial Art is for everyone.

Our Guide On How To Become A UFC Champion

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Today we are going to talk you through the disciplines you need to become the best fighter on the planet.

Stand up

The obvious place to start is on your feet as that’s how every match starts. Whether it’s Boxing, Kickboxing or Muay Thai, you need to do something. Boxing has always been one of the biggest sports in the world for a reason. But we are talking about MMA now and as I’m sure you have all seen for yourselves, knees and kicks can do so much more than just knock a guy out. Just like in Bellator 158 when Micheal “Venom” Page landed a vicious knee on Evangelista ‘Cyborg’ Santos.
Cyborg Santos broken skull

He actually broke his skull during that fight.

Or when Edson Barboza’s hit Terry Etim with a spinning back kick at UFC 142 in Rio De Janeiro. One of the worst knockouts in UFC history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PQH65dx4iE

Kickboxing and Muay Thai will not just make you a better fighter. Training in them will also help you defend yourself a lot better as you will be able to see moves coming earlier if you are familiar with them. Whether it’s the way the guy drops his arm as he goes for the kick. Or how he goes to his toes before he jumps for that flying knee. Either of these disciplines will benefit you greatly.

Don’t just rely on one aspect of your game

You can be the best guy in the world on your feet but if you haven’t got anything else about your game then I wouldn’t advise getting into the octagon. Just like with James Toney when he stepped into the ring at UFC 118 to fight against Randy Couture. Couture whose background is in wrestling, made it look easy. He might not be known for his ground game but he still schooled Toney. And sent out a pretty clear statement that the next Boxer who wants an MMA fight might want to think again.

August 28, 2010; Boston, MA; USA; Randy Couture (black trunks) and James Toney fight at UFC 118 in Boston, MA. Couture won via 1st round choke.

Why You Need Wrestling

Just like Toney, Royce Gracie is another fighter who relied too heavily on one discipline. Known for being one of the best BJJ guys in the world. The legend was caught out and defeated by Matt Hughes at UFC 60. Although former UFC Champion Royce was one of the best on the ground in the world. It doesn’t count for much if you can’t get the other guy down on the floor to tap them out. Hughes demonstrated this perfectly. With a background in wrestling. Hughes stopped Royce getting him down and showed him just why you need to be an all-rounded fighter to make it in this world.

Why Ground Work Is So Important

Although Royce did struggle in that fight he did have a pretty impressive career, with 15 wins and only 2 losses and he was a UFC Champion. Which demonstrates why BJJ is so essential and arguably the most important skill that you should have in your arsenal. Brazilain Jiu-Jitsu seems to be the most overlooked aspect of many fighters game. This may be as it takes so long to achieve your black belt. 10 years for a BJJ black belt as opposed to less than 5 for Judo and Karate belts. No matter what the reason some people decide not to train grappling as much as other aspects it doesn’t really matter. Nearly all fights end up on the ground. And if you don’t know what you are doing, you can’t defend yourself and you won’t last long.

UFC Champion, Royce and GSP

One of the reasons that GSP was so dominant and another UFC Champion. Here he is pictured with Royce just after they had finished training.

Hit The Gym To Be The Next UFC Champion

As I’m sure all of you know, lifting weights make you stronger and although just being strong alone won’t help you at all against a trained fighter, it will work wonders in addition to all of your other training. We have all been in that situation where you have gotten someone into a move and it’s so close but you just haven’t got the strength to finish it off. Lifting will help here. And with your takedowns. And with your punching. And in everything else that you do.

So we have given you some pretty solid advice here today, so no matter if you are a complete beginner or have been training for years. You just want to get in shape or you really do want to become the best fighter in the world, this guide has given you a solid foundation to work off. So what are you waiting for, get out there and start training to become the next UFC Champion!

And just like any fighter you will need the right equipment so why not take a look at some of the gear we like here

Boxing Glove Weight and Size Guide

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What size Boxing Gloves should I use is such a common question and one that seems to spark up opposing views.

To make it simple we have shared our expertise with you in an easy to understand way that we hope will inform you to buy the right kind of gloves for you.

Below, we will look at;

Boxing For Fitness – Training Gloves

As is popular today, if you are boxing for fitness and not competing, you will want to find yourself a pair of Training Gloves that will be suitable for light sparring, pad work and bag work.

Once you have found a pair of Training Gloves that suit your budget you will then need to decide on the correct weight of glove.

Use our Body Weight / Glove Weight comparison list below to help you determine the most suitable weight of glove for you.

120lbs or less Ai??- 12oz or 14oz Gloves

120lbs ai??i?? 150lbs – 14oz ai??i?? 16oz Gloves

150lbs ai??i?? 180lbs – 16oz ai??i?? 18oz Gloves

180lbs or above – 18oz + ai??i?? Gloves

Taking advantage of the ever increasing number of participants involved in some form of boxing training for fitness, Hayabusa have recently released their Sports line of training gloves to cater for this market.

Sparring Gloves

Gloves that are named specifically as Sparring Gloves will have extra soft padding than other kinds of gloves and will normally come in the 16oz weight.

The additional padding is to make sure that both you and your sparring partner are protected and to help to reduce the chance of injury before a competition fight.

If you are lighter in weight (under 120lbs for example) then you could possibly get away with sparring with a 14oz glove.

If you do decide to spar in the same weight of glove that you will be competing at i.e a 12oz glove, make sure that you don’t go too heavy in sparring prior to the fight to avoid unnecessary injuries.

Bag Gloves

Specifically named Bag Gloves tend to be at the lighter end of the weight scale, 10 – 12oz, and will use more densely packed layers of foam to absorb the impact of repeated strikes of the heavy bag and pads. For those who are serious about increasing their hand speed, these light weight gloves can be useful in helping to work on this as they do not slow your hands down as much as a 16oz Sparring Glove would.

Having separate gloves for bag work and sparring is useful if you train regularly as it will help to prolong the life of the gloves and provide you and training partners with adequate protection during sessions.

It would certainly be possible to use your Training Gloves for bag work, but be careful of the kind of bag you are hitting, if you’re body weight is at the lower end of the scale. Some bags are harder and more densely packed than others and you could potentially damage your hands without adequate technique, padding and advise from your trainer.

Gloves for Competition

Weights for competition gloves vary from 12oz through 16oz, but they will be governed by the level you are fighting at and the organisation that you are boxing under. Always take advice from your trainer on this to make sure that you are well prepared and informed.

Our Recommendations

Boxing for Fitness

If you are in this category it is more than likely that you will only be engaging in heavy bag and pad workouts.

If this is the case, we would recommend that you invest in a pair of training gloves by using our body weight and glove weight comparison list above.

If you do engage in light sparring sessions, make sure that you are sparring with someone of equivalent weight who is sparring with the same weight of glove as you for protection and safety purposes.

Heavy Sparring, Bag & Pad Work

If you train hard and regularly at a club but don’t compete, then economically and for safety reasons, it would be worth investing in separate gloves that you can use for sparring and for bag and pad work.

By using your Sparring Gloves for their intended purpose only will help them to retain their shape and not stiffen the softer layers of padding for longer. This will reduce the frequency for replacement gloves as well as the obvious safety benefits.

Competing Boxers

As above, we recommend having separate gloves for the different kinds of training, but you will also need a pair of competition gloves too. As we’ve already mentioned, it is vital that you consult with your club and trainers about any guidelines that you will need to follow when it comes to specific glove weights.

Safety First!

No matter what level you are, choosing the right weight of glove is only the beginning when it comes to safety!

Always remember to wrap your hands prior to any training to make sure that your hands, knuckles and wrists are protected and most importantly make sure that your technique is right.

Even a one off misfired punch can do more damage to your hands and wrists than you think, let alone the long term damage caused by a prolonged period of bad habits.