NorCal Boxing

Critics of boxing competition deem it a mindless sport with no sense of decency, where opponents do nothing more than knock each other senseless for a period of time, earning themselves swollen jaws, cuts and bruise, and bloody lips in the process. For the fighters who participate in these matches, however, there is a deeper meaning. To them, there is a sense of honor and pride in strapping on a pair of boxing gloves and outlasting their opponent, to remain standing after a series of brutal rounds where both fighters give it everything they’ve got.

Boxers endure hours of training in the gym, improving their strength and determination to ultimately succeed in a title bout. Even so, the most important tools a fighter has are his two hands, hands that wear sparring gloves during training and boxing gloves during a fight. Therefore, selecting a quality pair of gloves is essential to the success of fighters in general, including those who compete in mixed martial arts.

Two basic types exist – those used for training are called sparring gloves, and those used in the ring are referred to as boxing gloves. Some gloves can be used in both cases, but most are designed with one purpose in mind. Gloves that fit well protect the hands and provide a level of shock absorption for the wrists and fingers when a fighter strikes an opponent with his fist. This is why a proper fit is important, and why a comfortable pair of gloves instills confidence in an MMA fighter.

Fairtex gloves are often used as a model for superior glove design, but other manufacturers like Combat Sports International, Century, Title MMA, Everlast, and Bad Boy offer similar models with the same level of quality and construction. Although these companies are competitors, they each watch the market closely and spend billions of dollars in research ensuring their products meet specific guidelines for weight, materials, and construction.

Since a fighter spends most of his time in training, his pair of sparring gloves will become most important, especially in the beginning of his career. Hayabusa, Combat Sports, and Everlast all offer excellent models with attractive features like reinforced foam padding for additional support and wrist closure systems that provide a firm but comfortable fit. The best companies offer gloves that instill confidence in a competitor as he prepares for battle against other fighters.

When the time comes, an MMA fighter dons a pair of professional boxing gloves for a title fight, having prepared well for the highest level of competition. His best defenses in the ring are his wits and experience, as well as the equipment he chooses to protect the hands that deliver the power of his punches. This is where quality vendors step in with a well-made glove that helps him achieve his goal.

Vendors like Bad Boy, who puts five layers of foam protection into their best gloves. Or Hayabusa, whose MMA gloves feature an exclusive Y-shape volar design so that the glove stays tight whether the hands are open or clenched in a fist. Fairtex Gloves are constructed very well and some, like Combat Sports for instance, even make gloves specifically for working with punching bags, adding extra protection at the knuckles to allow full power training.

Whatever the purpose, rest assured that quality gloves are available at affordable prices for every level of MMA competitor.

There is probably no exercise or fitness training that can get your body in top shape quicker and better than boxing training. Every muscle group is positively impacted with power, strength and resilience in as little as a week or two of serious training. Seeking out a personal trainer is certainly one route to go, and a good route if you want to learn training techniques firsthand. But you can also learn techniques by working with the various boxing bags in the privacy of your home gym at your own pace. There are a wealth of exercise training tapes at your disposal to help you get started and push you along the way. Some find playing their favorite music videos will work to their advantage.

Here are some of the moves that are used in boxing.

1. ‘The jab’

The jab is a thrust of your forward arm that is meant to be quick enough to catch the opponent off guard. The jab is a lighter punch that is thrown many times during a boxing match and is often used before bigger punches. The jab can also be used to test an opponents defences or agility. How to build arm strength using the jab is to practice it many times.

2. ‘The cross’

The cross is a stronger heavier punch that can do a decent amount of damage to the opponent is used with the right timing. How to build arm strength using the cross is to make sure that you can throw it without being caught off guard yourself. Try to look for an opening in the opponent’s defences and try throwing a jab before a cross. The cross is done with the hand that is farther away from the opponent.

3. ‘The hook’

Next resource when looking for how to build arm strength is the hook. The hook is thrown with either hand no matter what stance you are in. The hook does just what its name suggests, it brings up your arm in a hooking manner to hit the opponent. This punch has less range than the other punches so you have to be closer to the opponent to hit them.

4. ‘The uppercut’

The “uppercut” is performed with the rear hand as it rises in an upward arc toward its’ intended target. The knees are slightly bent at the beginning of this punch but with the upward motion of the arm, the knees also push upward. This movement adds additional power to the punch.

If you are in decent shape, you can push yourself to limits you set for yourself. Boxing training not only carves out a healthy, fit body for you, but it helps with your confidence and self esteem. When you look good and feel good you will do good things.