MMA, also known as cage fighting, stands for Mixed Martial Arts. It is one of the most popular fighting sports and does a mix and match of different combat styles and moves. Just like any other fighting sport, it is absolutely vital that you participate safely and with enough protection.
MMA fighters don’t wear as much protective gear as other fighting sports, but they still have to heavily protect their hands. If you’re getting into MMA, you will soon realize that a good pair of MMA gloves are vital for safe practicing of the sport.
And not just any gloves, as they need to be good enough to withstand regular training and impact and should be high-quality enough to effectively protect your hands from injury.
One of the most used pieces of training equipment for MMA is the heavy bag, as it helps you practice your punches.
It is extra important to wear appropriate gloves for this, especially because you’re going to be punching as hard as you can! (a great way to get your anger out too!)
There are MMA gloves that have been designed specifically for use with the heavy bag, as they offer better protection against injury during your punching session.
You’ll have no trouble finding a pair, as there are plenty of options available in the market. However, finding a good pair can be a bit trickier.
High-quality matters, as a good pair of MMA gloves, can prevent you from injuring your hand, and they will also last a lot longer and save you money in the long run.
Luckily for you, we’ve scanned the market and have compiled a list with our top five picks for the overall best MMA gloves for the heavy bag. All you need to do is choose your favorite!
In a hurry?
No matter the level, even if you’re just starting out, it is super important that you have suitable and good MMA gloves. You will likely be spending a lot of time punching the heavy bag, as part of your training, so you need to protect those hands!
If you’re in a hurry to get the best possible pair, we recommend you check out our number one top choice: the Trideer Pro Grade Boxing Gloves for Men & Women.
These gloves are known as the best for throwing aggressive punches and for training with the heavy bag, so they are perfect for remaining well-protected and safe during your heavy bag training.
Made with high-quality faux leather, they are extremely durable and resistant to any wear and tear, with a long lifespan that will save you money in the long run.
The multi-density foam allows them to have superior shock-absorption, protecting both you and the bag or partner from all of the impacts.
They feature a Pre-curved anatomic hand design that allows you to close your fist fully with a lot more ease, and they also add extra stability to your wrists, therefore enhancing your performance and punches.
Breathable, comfortable, and easy to clean. These gloves are the very best in the market!
Here are the main features:
- Best choice for aggressive punches and heavy bag training
- High-quality faux leather - extremely durable and resistant
- Multi-density foam for superior shock absorption
- Pre-curved anatomic hand design and wrist stability
- Breathable mesh for dry hands and comfort
- Easy to clean and maintain
- 30-day no-hassle return and lifetime of customer service
Our Top Picks
OUR TOP PICK
The Trideer Pro Grade Boxing Gloves for Men & Women are an excellent choice and are highly recommended for MMA fighters of all training levels.
They’re known as the best gloves for throwing aggressive punches on a heavy bag, meaning they are absolutely perfect for heavy bag training.
They are constructed from high-quality faux leather for great durability and enhanced performance.
It also means they are super easy to clean and maintain, which is always a plus when it comes to MMA equipment (especially after sweaty training sessions!)
They are also highly resistant against any wear and tear, lasting longer even when used for regular training sessions.
The design has been thought out to help add stability to your wrists, helping you throw better and more efficient punches.
The multi-density foam features the best shock-absorption, protecting you (and the heavy bag) from all the tough impacts.
The Trideer Pro gloves also feature a Pre-curved anatomic hand design that allows you to fully close your fist with a lot more use, therefore letting you focus on more important things during training.
A breathable mesh ensures that your hands remain dry during training and that they don’t overheat, so these gloves are super comfortable to wear and super effective!
To guarantee your satisfaction, this product has a 30-day no-hassle return, and a lifetime of customer service available!
PROS:
- Best choice for aggressive punches and heavy bag training
- High-quality faux leather - extremely durable and resistant
- Multi-density foam for superior shock absorption
- Pre-curved anatomic hand design and wrist stability
- Breathable mesh for dry hands and comfort
- Easy to clean and maintain
- 30-day no-hassle return and lifetime of customer service
CONS:
- Slightly too large for smaller hands
EDITORS CHOICE
The Hawk Sports HWK Boxing Gloves Pro Punching Heavy Bag, as the name suggests, is ideal for getting out some pro punches on your heavy bag during training, with your hands perfectly protected against injury or strain.
They are a really popular choice, claiming to be made for greatness.
These gloves feature gel-injected and multi-layered V-impact foam for incredible and reliable protection against impact during training.
They also have extra-thick Supremo-Shock foam padding on the knuckles, and a separate padded block over the wrist-joint, so that the most vulnerable or delicate areas of the hand are even more protected.
For comfort, and to prevent overheating of the hands, these gloves have a breathable Pinhole Palm.
This also reduces the moisture, keeping your hands dry and odor-free, for increased hygiene.
The Hawk Sports gloves are ideal for multiple different fighting sports, including MMA, and they are available in multiple different sizes so that you can find a pair that fits your hands.
They also feature a hook and a loop velcro wrist strap for a more secure and comfortable fit that helps the gloves stay on throughout the whole training!
PROS:
- Ideal for heavy bag punch training
- Gel-injected and multi-layered V-impact foam for superior protection
- Extra-thick Supremo-Shock foam padding on knuckles and wrist-joint
- Breathable Pinhole Palm - reduces moisture and increases comfort
- Hook and loop velcro wrist strap
CONS:
- Not as ideal for advanced MMA fighters
BEST VALUE
The Sanabul Essential MMA Hybrid Sparring Gloves are all about getting straight to the practical effectiveness of the gloves, and they’ve been tested by champions to ensure that they are reliable and high-quality enough to withstand rigorous training while protecting your hands from any sort of injury or strain from punches.
This professional gear has great value and is guaranteed to help you perform at your best.
Made from performance engineered leather, these gloves are highly durable and resistant, enhancing performance so you’re always at your best.
As a hybrid, they’ve been designed for both individual training and sparring, without having to switch gloves depending on whether you’re grappling or punching.
They feature an innovative hook and loop closure system that turns them into an extension of your hand, as they will stay firmly in place with a hugely secure fit throughout your training.
Layered foam offers shock-absorption and protection from impact, with each finger opening being reinforced so that they are also protected despite being uncovered.
Although they are not highly recommended for punching and heavy bag training, they can be used as such by those that are more advanced and professional, as it will help improve the quality of the punches over the strength of them.
PROS:
- Tested by champion to ensure effectiveness and quality
- Performance engineered leather for durability
- Layered foam for shock-absorption with reinforced finger openings
- Hybrid design
- Innovative hook and loop closure system for an extra secure fit
CONS:
- Not recommended for heavy bag punching unless you’re advanced
RUNNER UP
The RDX MMA Gloves for training are a great and best-selling option, favored by many customers for using materials of the highest quality and authenticity.
Made from 100% authentic Maya hide leather, they are ideal for fighting sports such as MMA, thanks to their superior durability.
They are also highly resistant to all types of wear and tear, with a long lifespan that turns them into a reliable piece of training equipment for all levels of expertise.
They feature Tri-Slab PC3 Padding that is specifically designed to offer the greatest protection against impact.
They also have tri-layered padding for prime punching safety, distributing the shock around the surface of the glove evenly.
A Dual Quick EZ Hook-and-Loop Closure allows them to be very easy to put on and take off, as well as offering stable wrist support to avoid strains.
An ergonomically designed strap further enhances performance as it keeps the glove well-secured, meeting the requirements for a good training session.
These gloves are designed to promote airflow so that the hands remain dry and free from any sweat or moisture.
The curved open palm also allows for easy grip, so you could easily hold a rod or a bar if need be.
These gloves will keep their shape, even after a long time, with a high standard of quality that will last a long time!
PROS:
- Made from 100% Maya Leather - superior durability ideal for MMA
- Tri-Slab PC3 padding and tri-layered padding with shock-absorption
- Dual Quick EZ Hook-and-Loop Closure - easy to use
- Designed to promote airflow - dry hands
- Long lifespan and highly resistant
CONS:
- The sizing options aren’t accurate
RUNNER UP
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option that balances great value with a high standard of quality and reliability, then the Cheerwing Fingerless UFC MMA Gloves might be the right option for you.
They’re ideal for training, as they give you optimal striking protection and are one of the most common options for people that are just starting out.
Made from high-quality premium synthetic leather and sponge, these gloves are highly durable and impressively tough, allowing you to train regularly and at full capacity without compromising their lifespan.
The ergonomically-improved pre-curved design further enhances their durability, making them resistant to most wear and tear damage.
They have perforations on the palms to ensure breathability, keeping your hands dry and free of moisture and sweat, as well as preventing overheating during training.
The Cheerwing gloves also feature a wrist strap that lets you customize the fit of your glove, making sure it’s as secure as possible so that it doesn’t move around or fall off during training.
The wrist strap also provides solid wrist support, to protect your wrists from strains during your punching training.
Ideal for both men and women, these gloves are a practical and accessible option that covers all of the basics for safe MMA training with the heavy bag.
PROS:
- Budget-friendly option
- High-quality premium synthetic leather and sponge for durability
- Ergonomically-improved pre-curved design
- Palm perforations for breathability
- Wrist strap for secure fit and wrist support
- Unisex and ideal for striking protection
CONS:
- Only suitable for light punching on the heavy bag
Buyer’s Guide
Using a good and high-quality pair of MMA gloves is super important if you want to ensure that your hands are well-protected from strain and injuries during training.
When you’re training your punches on a heavy bag, the protection is even more important, as all the impact is being taken by the bag and your hands.
The best gloves are those that offer the most protection, through padding and shock-absorption layers, while remaining comfortable and easy to use during your training.
If this is your first time buying a pair of MMA gloves for use with the heavy bag, there are a few basic factors you should take into consideration, to ensure you’re truly buying a good and reliable product.
There are also different features you can look out for once you’re familiar with the different parts of an MMA glove, to ensure the gloves you pick fit you comfortably and have everything you need for a safe punching session.
Material and durability
MMA gloves tend to be made from different types of leather, to ensure high durability and resistance to impact and use.
It’s important to look out for different resistance features and for a long lifespan, not only so that your gloves last longer and save you money in the long run, but also so that they are reliable.
With regular training, it’s important that you always have the maximum level of protection for your hands, and a half-dying pair of gloves simply won’t make do!
Padding and protection
The padding and protection of the glove is, arguably, the most important part and what you should pay the most attention to.
Multiple layers of padding are vital to keeping your hands protected from impact. Look out for gloves that feature superior forms of shock-absorption, as they can get away with fewer layers of padding (making them more comfortable to wear), while offering the same or even more protection.
Breathability and comfort
You know you’re doing your training right when you break into a sweat. Your hands can easily get overheated from the effort, the sweat, and being trapped inside huge gloves.
That is why it is super important that you ensure your gloves are breathable and able to keep your hands dry and cool during your session.
There are different ways to provide breathability, from the type of fabric to the design of the glove to pinholes in the palm... They are all effective, and choosing one or the other depends more on personal preference.
Closure, straps, and support:
Another thing you can check when looking at a pair of MMA gloves is the type of closure and the straps used to secure the gloves onto your hands.
The fit is really important, so having a velcro that customizes the fit can be very helpful if you’re unable to find a suitably sized pair of gloves. Wrist straps can also provide vital support for your wrists, as they are very vulnerable to strain and injury while punching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to use MMA gloves on a heavy bag?
Using MMA gloves when punching and training on a heavy bag is not only okay but highly recommended.
Although you can punch a heavy bag without any sort of protection whatsoever, or by using just hand wraps, it is better to use MMA gloves as that will ensure that your hands are well-protected (especially if you’re punching aggressively or harder than usual), to avoid any injury or strains.
How should MMA gloves fit?
It is important that your MMA gloves fit appropriately, to ensure that they are effective for protecting your hands from injury. It should be a snug and comfortable fit, the perfect middle of ‘just right’.
If the gloves are too tight, they might feel more secure, but they will be restricting the blood flow which will, in turn, cause other issues. If they’re too loose, they’ll slide around and might start to fall off during training, which will be heavily distracting and inconvenient.
Do you need wraps for MMA gloves?
You can wear your MMA gloves without hand wraps underneath.
However, it is highly recommended that you do wear wraps for your MMA gloves, as wearing hand wraps always provides you with a useful extra layer of protection, and it can help keep the gloves better secured on your hands too.
He is currently the owner of his own MMA dojo "in paradise" where he teaches combat training and meditation. He is also the author of a book soon to be published on the merits of martial arts training on the body and mind.
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