Focus Mitts, Muay Thai Pads and More

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Focus Mitts

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In general, this is due to hobbyist group class environments where effective training programs are not employed. When a knowledgeable trainer is holding the mitts, the ability to get the most out of them is enhanced.

One myth about mitts is that they are used to develop power. This is really not the case as they are too thin for that type of workout. This does not mean that you cannot hit the focus mitts hard - you can - but endurance and power workouts are best served on Thai pads or a heavy bag.

Timing

With mitts, you are able to work distancing and timing. Boxing punches and elbows in MMA are limited by their range. If you are too close for certain punches, they will become jammed. If you are too far, they will not reach their mark.

As such, working with a trainer holding the mitts allows for effective training in this manner. The trainer is able to move around which requires the partner to adjust distance and timing in order to land an accurate hit. This, in turn, develops skills which open the door for more effective sparring since effective skills are required.

Attacking

And a more advanced avenue of this type of training is the ability to develop angles of attack. You cannot be an effective striker if you travel on a straight line as this will lead to a knockout more than anything.

Such movement is too predictable and it leads to being easily pinpointed and targeted for counterattacks. By moving around while training with the mitts, the ability to develop movement based on angles can be enhances. This lays the foundation for being a much harder target to hit.

Evade

This ties into the next vital component which is the ability to develop evasive movements and footwork. Again, using focus mitts is not all about striking. Movement is critical to working with mitts since the trainer does not approach the workout from a static stance. The key to focus mitt training is to present a moving target that mimics an opponent as the opponent would move in the ring.

MMA matches are hardly static and that is why such movement is necessary. If not then the ability to get the most out of the striking training session will be undermined.

And, of course, the mitts provide a surface for the fighter to hit. By having the ability to hit a target, all of the distancing and timing components to mitt training are tied together with the striking. This aids in developing the needed skills to be successful.

Brand

Just be sure to complement your training with mitts made by legitimate boxing/kickboxing companies such as Twins, Everlast, Revgear, Ringside, etc. The mitts made by reliable companies will ensure a safe and effective training session.

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MUAY THAI SHIELD

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Thai pads originated in Thailand for use in the sport of Muay Thai and now they have been integrated into the world of MMA. The purpose that they are used in MMA is essentially the same purpose that they would be employed for Thai boxing.

Namely, these pads are the bridge between a heavy bag and a pair of focus mitts. That is to say, the purpose of Thai targets is to develop conditioning and endurance in the same way these attributes would be developed on a heavy bag.

And, of course, Thai pads come with a great deal of mobility in their training sessions since they will be held by a workout partner. This way, the Thai pads are used in a manner that is similar to focus mitts as timing, distancing, and partner drills can be worked into the program in a way a heavy bag cannot.

And while their origin may have been in Thai boxing, these pads are effective in any sport that integrates Thai boxing into the mix or employs strikes similar to Thai boxing. Hence, these pads are critical for MMA training.

Focus mitts simply cannot deliver in the same manner that Thai pads can be used. This is because focus pads have been designed almost exclusively as a target for punches. Yes, you can train certain kicks and elbows on focus mitts, but they way you do so is limited.

Focus mitts are much lighter and cannot handle the powerful shin kicks, knee strikes and heavy elbow blows that a Thai pad is able to. Simply put, it is dangerous to train knees and shin strikes with focus mitts since they cannot absorb the impact as they were never designed to.

Held

Also, these pads have been designed in such a way that they are held on the forearms which allows for mobility of the target around the torso. This lets the trainer safely work with the fighter in a series of fast paced drills without presented an injury risk to all involved.

And, of course, the fighter can literally ‘blast away' on the pads since the thickness of the pads absorbs all manner of impact. In traditional Thai training, the rounds are very long. They are not the common 2 or 3 minute boxing rounds. They may train for 6 minutes straight per round and work for 6 rounds with a one minute break.

Conditioning

Needless to say, that requires great conditioning. Then again, the purpose of such rounds is to develop great conditioning and it does so with extreme effectiveness.

When you do purchase Thai pads, it is of absolutely paramount importance that you purchase reliable, heavy, leather pads made by a major name in the kickboxing/MMA business.

Brands

Cheap or low grade Thai pads are dangerous to train with and do not deliver and effective workout. However, with the right name brand of Pads, you can have a solid workout that is delivered efficiently and effectively. This is true whether you are headed to the ring or the cage.

See our article on:

Muay Thai Shields: Why they are different and need in MMA

You'll get brand advice and good prices.

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