Essentials for Women’s Self-defense Training Through Boxing

Women have now embraced boxing, a traditionally male-dominated activity. But is it just for leisure and sport? No. They also use it as a self-defense training tool.

There are many ways of self-defense training and boxing has become popular among women. Basic boxing techniques like the jab and cross help female boxers protect themselves when necessary.

But why is it popular? It is a practical and effective way for women to train in self-defense techniques as it:

• Builds body and muscle strength
• Improves agility, reflexes, and speed
• Improves balance and stability
• Builds stamina by keeping the body fit, allowing it to endure challenging situations for extended periods.
• Boosts mental toughness and confidence

As a beginner, you’ll need a few basic boxing equipment for your boxing training. These equipment are:

Boxing Gloves

Boxing gloves are a must-have gear for both experienced and beginner boxers. Boxing gloves are designed to shield the hand of the wearer when punching.

The padding in the gloves protects your hands and minimizes injury for you and your trainer during training.

Boxing gloves also:

Enhance your focus and confidence by protecting your hands, allowing you to concentrate on learning self-defense techniques
Keep your hands comfortable during training
Protect your hands, wrists, and knuckles
Provide wrist support

But what are they made of?

Boxing gloves are commonly made of leather or synthetic materials. The material used affects the gloves’ durability, protection level, comfort, and aesthetics. Below is a comparison table between leather and synthetic boxing gloves.

Feature	Leather Boxing Gloves	Synthetic Boxing Gloves
Durability	More durable due to the natural strength of leather	Wears out faster
Breathability	Breathable thus reducing sweat build-up	Less breathable
Comfort and fit	Stretches and molds to the shape of your hand over time, providing a more customized fit as the gloves break-in	Tend to maintain their shape with less flexibility and may not be as comfortable over time
Cost	Pricier due to the quality of the material	Generally more affordable
Break-in period	Requires a longer break-in period but becomes more comfortable over time	Ready to use with little to no break-in period required
Maintenance	Requires regular care, such as conditioning to maintain quality	Easier to maintain and clean

 

Aside from the material used, boxing gloves come in different sizes. Choosing the right fit will enhance your performance and comfort.

Women’s boxing gloves generally range between 8oz and 16 oz. Your boxing gloves should fit snugly without being too tight or too loose that they get off during training.

At Tussle, our small-size gloves are comparable to 8-10 oz while the medium size is between 10-14oz. Our gloves provide a snug fit, extra wrist support, and have enough padding for extended use during training.

Our gloves are also made with the women’s hands and needs in mind as we specialize in women’s boxing gear and apparel.

Hand Wraps

Hand wraps can sometimes be overlooked by beginners but they are equally important.

Did You Know: Hand wraps were used long before modern boxing gloves! As early as 688 B.C., ancient Greek fighters protected their hands with leather strips during combat sports.

Hand wraps primarily secure and protect the bones and tendons by adding a layer of support and compression when you throw a punch. They serve three main purposes:

• Help keep the small bones and tendons of the hand in place, preventing injuries from repeated impact.
• Stabilize the wrists, reducing the risk of sprains and hyperextension during punches.
• Provide an extra layer of padding to shield the delicate bones in the knuckles from impact.

There are two main types of boxing hand wraps.

1. Traditional hand wraps: These traditional rope hand wraps are long woven fabric strips that are wrapped around the hands and wrists.
2. Quick wraps: These quick wraps are like fingerless gloves but with padding and made from elastic and stretchy material.

Whether to wear quick wraps or the traditional hand wraps in your boxing gloves will depend on your preferences and the level of customization and protection you need. Here is a comparison table between the two wraps.

Feature	Traditional Hand Wraps	Quick Wraps
Ease of use	Takes a few minutes to properly wrap hands and requires practice to wrap them properly	Slip-on design for fast application
Protection	Offer better protection and support for the hand, wrist, and knuckles	Have built-in padding around the wrist and knuckles
Material	Elastic or cotton, allowing for more flexibility	Often made with padded neoprene or gel
Customization	Gives a more customized fit as you adjust the tightness and padding as you want	Limited, standardized fit
Suitable for	All levels and boxers who prioritize protection and support	Beginners especially those new to hand-wrapping

 

The traditional hand wraps come in different lengths but for women boxers, a 140-inch hand wrap will fit you just right.

While wearing quick wraps is easy and takes just a few seconds, the traditional wraps are the opposite. In the video below, Cary Williams, the founder and CEO of Tussle Fight Gear teaches you how to wrap your hands.

Head Gear

Your hands have boxing gloves and wraps for protection, but what about your head? It also needs some cover lest your brain, jaw, and face take the brunt of a blow. You need a headgear to cover your head!

The boxing headgear is especially important for beginners, as it is padded to protect the head and face against concussions, facial injuries, and even cuts or bruises from punches thus minimizing the risk of injuries.

Consider these factors when choosing a headgear:

• Material: Should be made of quality and durable material like leather to give you maximum protection and last longer.
• Padding: Should have enough padding for protection but not too much that it becomes heavy or affects visibility.
• Fit and comfort: Should fit snugly without being too tight or loose that it ‘rotates’ during training.
• Customization: Needs adjustable closures like Velco and laces to give you a customized and secure fit.
• Visibility: Get a headgear that won’t block your vision when training. One with an open-face design will give you the much-needed visibility and hearing needed in the boxing ring.

Learn More: Choosing the Right Headgear for Female Boxers

Partner With Tussle for Your Self-Defense Training

Yes, it’s boxing, but who said you can’t look elegant and beautiful while at it? As a woman, you can maintain your composure and aura during even the sweatiest activities.

At Tussle Fight Gear, we believe that boxing training empowers women to feel strong and confident in every situation. Our stylish and quality boxing gear is designed for women, ensuring you can train hard while feeling confident and fashionable.

From our tailored women’s boxing gloves and hand wraps to our comfortable and protective headgear, every piece is designed with your needs in mind.
So grab your boxing gear pieces in your favorite colors and take charge of your self-defense training.