Whether you are training for a fight, or you just want to get in fighting shape, a high-quality pair of punch bag gloves are a must to keep your hands and knuckles protected.
What weight should punching bag gloves be?
Ah, a controversial one to get started. If you search for punching bag glove size guides online, most of them will state that people of different sizes, should use gloves that are different weights.
This is not correct in my experience. Boxing gloves, tend to be like caps or hats – one size fits all. The different weights, are used for different purposes.
Boxing Glove Size Chart
WeightUse
8-12ozPads or competing in regulated matches
12ozPads, bag, or light sparring. Used in some amateur fights
12oz-16ozSparring or heavy bag (12oz for light sparring only)
You can use 10 or 12oz gloves on a heavy bag, but you’ll probably want to use hand wraps, unless you are looking to condition/toughen your hands.
I’d personally opt for 14oz gloves for use on a punch bag, or 12oz gloves with hand-wraps. 16oz gloves are a little bulky and can throw your range/distancing off slightly.
Are MMA Gloves Good for Punching Bags?
Not, not really! Unless you use hand wraps and some type of wrist support, you’re likely to injure your hands. If you are going to compete in MMA, then there is some merit to doing pad work wearing MMA gloves, so that you get the right range and feel for punching in the gloves you’ll be fighting in.
MMA gloves, without wraps, don’t give your knuckles or wrists much protection. There are some MMA gloves available with wrist wraps and a “shock absorbing bar” in the palm (the old-school Harbinger gloves had these), but standard MMA gloves are not advised for bag work.
I personally use 12oz Reebok gloves for pad work, and 16oz for the heavy bag. I wear no gloves or MMA gloves for using the “top and bottom” or “floor to ceiling” ball.
