As a father I am always looking for ways to stay fit personally, but also to encourage my own kids to do the same. One thing I have found lately is Muay Thai. Muay Thai is great for kids and adults, though making sure that you learn the right approach to follow is important, especially with younger kids. From everything I have seen, younger kids should stay away from sparing or fighting and instead learning the moves and techniques while working with bags and pads. That being said, as beginners in this sport I wanted to take a moment to share some information on some of the equipment that you will have to think about either for yourself or your kids.
Muay Thai beginners should always start with a pair of gloves that are sized according to their body weight. This is the same for experienced athletes, but beginners might start with just one pair. However, as you progress and become more advanced in your Muay Thai training, it’s common to own multiple gloves of different weights depending on the application (such as fights, bag work, etc).
Investing in Multiple Pairs of Gloves
As mentioned, having multiple pairs of Muay Thai gloves is beneficial for athletes who want to train and perform at their highest level. Different weights allow you to adjust your glove weight depending on the training exercise or technique. For example, lighter-weight gloves are more suitable for speed work and fights. Developed Muay Thai athletes will also often use their lighter-weight gloves for heavy bag work to mimic what they’ll be using in fights.
However, using lighter-weight gloves means less protection, so until you’ve built up the bone strength to help prevent injury, beginners may want to lean towards heavier gloves in most scenarios for better protection.
Therefore, beginners should focus on finding one pair of gloves that fits their body size and provides adequate protection. Finding the right Muay Thai gloves will not only help protect your hands and wrists but also improve your performance.
What Should You Get for Your First Pair of Muay Thai Gloves?
As a beginner, you’ll likely start with just one pair of gloves. When choosing your first pair, it’s especially important to find the right balance between weight/size, comfort, quality, and style.
A typical Muay Thai beginner should start with 12oz or 14oz gloves. The deciding factor between the two glove sizes is your body weight. If you weigh 150 lbs or less, 12oz gloves are a suitable choice, while if you’re over 150 lbs, 14oz gloves are recommended.
Starting with the heavier weight will offer the beginner increased protection. Over time as you train and build up strength, you’ll likely want to invest in a lighter size to use during training and fights. As an example, amateurs typically fight in 10-12oz gloves, while Muay Thai professionals typically fight in 8oz gloves.
How Do I Choose Muay Thai Gloves?
When choosing Muay Thai gloves, especially for a beginner, you should always start by finding the correct weight for your body size as discussed above.
Note: If you need help finding the right weight gloves, you can read more here about what weight gloves to get for Muay Thai. This guide will help you find the perfect pair based on your body weight.
Once you have established the right size and weight for you, it’s important to think about the quality and style of the glove. Look for gloves made from premium materials and durable construction. This not only increases the lifespan of your gloves but can help maximize performance and protection as well. Some gloves come with antimicrobial materials, which is preferred by many athletes.
Can I Use Boxing Gloves for Muay Thai?
Yes, boxing gloves can be suitable for Muay Thai training, although using boxing gloves may limit your technique and flexibility in Muay Thai. Muay Thai gloves are typically lighter and allow for more flexibility, speed, and control compared to boxing gloves. Therefore, it’s best to use Muay Thai gloves specifically designed for Muay Thai to maximize performance.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, choosing the best Muay Thai gloves for beginners is all about finding a pair that is the right weight and size, and provides adequate protection from injury. Once you have found one that fits well and is comfortable to wear, you’ll be ready to start training! Good luck and have fun!
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