Whether you're a First time buyer or a seasoned vet there are a couple things you may need to know before you make your purchase.

Hand Wraps - One of the most vital tools in a boxer's arsenal are his hands. They must be protected at all costs. Handwraps are the most efficient method to holding all of the small bones of the hand in place and protecting them properly.

Traditional Handwraps consist of a cotton-weave fabric that breathes, yet provides a snug fit. Longer wraps, approximately 170" - 180" are best because they provide enough wrap to cover the hands, knuckles, and wrists without feeling cumbersome.

A Mexican-Style Handwrap is also available. It has a slight elasticity to it and usually runs in the 180" range. Almost all wraps are made with a convenient Hook & Loop closure system to make self-wrapping easier. There are also smaller wraps available for junior boxers or women. Take a look here for instructions on wrapping your hands.

Gloves - There are basically three types of gloves to choose from when you're considering your purchase. There are Competition Gloves, Sparring/Training Gloves, and Bag Gloves. Each has a distinct purpose and is designed for specialized performance.

Competition Gloves are gloves used for sanctioned amateur and professional bouts. Amateur competition gloves have mandatory construction and material requirements, they consist of a four-layer safety padded foam system that provides optimum safety standards but are regulated by weight. Most professional matches take place in 8 or 10 ounce gloves. Ringside's Pro Fight Gloves focus on protection of the boxers hands and uniform padding that does not break down and maintains it's shape throughout a bout. All Ringside Competition Gloves are made from top grade leather and highest quality foam padding for shock-absorption and durability.

Bag Gloves are used when training on a Heavy Bag, Punch Mitts, Double End Bags, and even when shadowboxing. They are generally constructed for continual day to day use, as opposed to fight gloves, so are more durable for use in the gym. A good bag glove provides a high degree of protection for a boxer's hands from the constant pounding they take while training. They can range in weight from 8 to 16 ounces.

Most boxers train in heavier gloves so that their arms gain strength, cardiovascular endurance, and they become accustomed to the extra weight needed to throw punches round after round. As opposed to competition or training gloves, Ringside's Bag Gloves are constructed with a more dense, closed-cell foam which provides better protection for the hands, more impact resistance for the joints and greater durability of the glove. Most bag gloves feature a Hook & Loop closure system or elastic wrists for convenience and easy on/off capabilities.

Training Gloves are generally used for sparring. They are made with a multi-layer padded foam system like a competition glove, yet offer more weight and softer padding for safety. Sparring day after day, round after round in the gym can take its toll on a boxer if he doesn't use proper sparring gloves. Most sparring gloves are between 14 to 18 ounces. The bigger the boxers, the bigger the gloves. These gloves come in a Hook & Loop closure or lace-up.

The Hook & Loop design is popular for its convenience, but some of the more seasoned boxers like the snug, secure, custom fit of the lace-up style. Preference and comfort are the determining factors. Some boxers use training gloves for other bag work in the gym. The softer foam and more sleek design are sometimes more comfortable. However, the foam systems are entirely different. The training glove may be more comfortable and provide a more snug fit, but it is constructed with an open cell foam that will not hold up as well to heavy bag work.

Although a training glove can be used for bag work, it is highly recommended that a boxer NEVER use the same glove that he or she hits the bags with to spar with. A training glove that is used for sparring should be used exclusively for that purpose. Otherwise, it's kind of like wearing your dress shoes out to play in.

Heavy Bags/Punching Bags - There are several questions to be asked when choosing a Heavy Bag: Is it for recreation or serious training? Are there any physical limitations to consider? What kind of space is available to mount the bag? Who will be hitting the bag? If the Heavy Bag is for fun, getting in shape and learning the basics, a more economical or 'mid-price range' bag is suitable.

A canvas, vinyl or Powerhide bag will accomplish all that its leather counterpart could. If the bag is going to be hung in a gym where many boxers will be hitting it or it's going to be used by a seasoned professional, there's no substitute for an indestructible, all-leather Heavy Bag. It will last the mere mortal practically a lifetime of hooks and jabs. Not only is the construction of the outside important, but what the bag is filled with is like customizing the bag to a boxer's needs.

How the bag is filled is vitally important. There are basically 3 types of bag filling, which also helps determine the weight. Regular-filled bags consist of a 1" closed-cell foam liner and shredded fiber filling. These bags are solid to the punch and hold their shape well. Soft-filled bags feature a softer 2" foam liner that is easier on the hands and joints. It has slightly more "give" than a regular-filled bag.

The third option is a water-filled bags which are constructed of a heavy-duty, nylon-reinforced vinyl material that offers a unique feel and performance. These bags can be obtained with or without an additional foam liner, which provides a more uniform feel, but both give an extraordinary workout. The water-filling is easy on the hands and joints and helps to protect against injuries. The other choice would be a freestanding Heavy Bag. This unit offers not only unique movement and variety to a routine, but is the ideal alternative to mounting a bag with a wall mount hanger or ceiling mount hanger. Sturdy rafters or joints are not always available to use.

A Freestanding Heavy Bag provides the mass of traditional stable Heavy Bag work without having to drill holes or permanently mount. It can be moved anywhere and used anytime. Its unusual spring-action design and non-wobbling base also add a different twist to traditional hanging bags. Most Heavy Bags come in various weights. The size of the Heavy Bag should be chosen that is closest to the boxer or group of boxers that will be using it. Although some boxers like their Heavy Bag to move a lot, others don't. So, again personal preference does factor into it, but generally the heavier the boxer, the heavier the bag.

Speed Bags - The smaller the Speed Bag the faster the boxers hands and the more skilled he or she must be. Typically it's good to start out with a larger bag and practice, practice, practice working down to the smallest size. The Speed Bag can be intimidating but is lots of fun and looks impressive when it's finally mastered.

Double End Bags are similar to Speed Bags and follow the same rules (as far as sizes). The Double End Bag is a great, all-around bag for developing quick reflexes and elusive defensive skills. Speed Bags and Double End Bags are great for developing hand/eye coordination.

Punch Mitts - A coach's best tool in teaching his protégé the art of self-defense can be the Punch Mitts. They're the closest that a coach can get to providing his student with an opponent, without having to put on a headgear and gloves.

With Punch Mitts a coach can teach his boxer specific combinations, play out virtual ring scenarios, concentrate on his boxer's strengths and work on his weaknesses.

The Punch Mitts are to a coach, what gloves are to a boxer so they have to be perfect. There are many distinctions between Punch Mitts. Choosing the right pair depends on a coach's style and the boxer he's working with. Lighter, more compact mitts are best to use with lighter weight boxers who have fast hands and throw multi punch combinations. Larger, thicker, more impact resistant mitts are easier on a coach who works with heavyweights. A lot of mitt work can be damaging to a coach's joints if he doesn't choose mitts that fit well and feel good to use.

The most important aspect to look for in a mitt is that it's not only designed to be punched but is made with the coach in mind. Make sure that it's been designed to reduce impact, provide a natural fit and protect the coach. Those are the main ingredients to a good punch mitt.

Choosing good boxing equipment is not based on any scientific equations or great insight into the sport. It's not unlike purchasing running shoes, for instance. Looks, price, manufacturer, materials, durability are all factors, but ultimately what matters most is how it fits, feels and performs. Which is why we, at Ringside offer a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.