What Is Focus Mitts in Boxing?

Most people, whether they’ve tried boxing or not, are familiar with punching bags and boxing gloves, however, there are lots of different pieces of boxing equipment, all various shapes and sizes, which can be confusing for beginners. Even when you see people training or sparring in the gym, it’s not always obvious which boxing skills or aspect of their training regime they’re working on.

Focus mitts are a mainstay of boxing gyms and can greatly improve your technique, so if you’re starting out or have been boxing for a little while, it’s about time you learned everything about focus mitts.

What Are Focus Mitts?

Focus mitts are also known as focus pads or boxing pads, and are an integral part of a boxer’s training routine. They’re small cushioned pads that a person attaches to their hands so their partner can strike the pads, although they can vary from palm-size to forearm-length depending on what techniques are being practised.

Focus pads will also often have a target on the face to direct the eyes of the person striking the mitts to improve accuracy, however, focus pads, like these Leather Curved Focus Pads in Blue and White, have a number of uses for all kinds of fighters.

What Are Focus Pads For?

The main aim of most boxing or fighting equipment is to strike, with focus pads and punching bags being the main targets, however, how hard or fast you intend to strike will determine which piece of equipment you should use.

While punching bags are usually meant for practising powerful punches as they’re largely static, although standing punching bags do swing, focus pads can be used to improve many techniques as the person wearing them determines where and when to hold them. In this way, you can practise any of the following with focus mitts:

• Accuracy
• Speed
• Combinations
• Punching Power
• Agility
• Footwork

Each of these skills is crucial for a boxer to be successful so focus pads are an essential part of any fighter’s training. The name “focus pads” in fact comes from the idea of “focusing” on one particular skill to work on while training.

You can focus entirely on improving the accuracy of your shots by aiming to hit the target in the middle of the focus mitts while your partner moves the mitts around to replicate a real moving opponent or allow you to practise your jabs, hooks and uppercuts, and your combinations.

The quicker the person wearing the focus pads moves their hands, the quicker you’ll have to strike them, allowing you to work on your speed, while if they also keep changing their stance and dancing around you, you can focus on your footwork and improve your agility.

When it comes to harnessing power or increasing punching power, you need a lot of resistance to your strikes which can best be achieved through the use of heavy punching bags. However, if your partner is a similar size and build to you, or bigger, you can still practise throwing powerful punches, and in a way that will better prepare you for facing a real opponent.

That said, increasing punching power doesn’t mean building muscles or strength. Focus pads allow you to harness your power and build up your endurance as regular cardiovascular exercise will improve your overall fitness levels and increase your body’s slow-twitch muscle fibres that are integral for endurance-based exercises.

Mental Focusing

Focus pads are intended for focusing on one aspect of your fighting performance, but they also help improve mental focus too. Focus is a part of mental strength – being able to remove distractions and get out of negative thinking habits – which in itself is hugely important in boxing.

Not only do you need physical strength and technical ability for fighting success, but you also need the mental strength to motivate yourself, believe in yourself, focus on the right things and be tactically aware so you can make the best decision in a split second.

Focusing on one aspect of your training helps to train your brain to focus on what’s important in a real fight. You need to experience a real fight yourself to know how to prepare appropriately as everybody’s levels of nervousness and excitement differ, but training your brain to focus will stand you in good stead.

Can You Use Focus Mitts for MMA?

Focus mitts are by no means limited to boxing, but can be very valuable tools in all kinds of fighting sports and martial arts, including kickboxing, muay thai and MMA. Since the person wearing the mitts is able to move them to be struck, if your training partner is experienced in your combat sport, they’ll be able to move the mitts higher or lower according to your abilities and where you should strike your opponent.

What’s more, focus mitts are cushioned pads, so neither you nor your partner will be hurt from hard punches and kicks, although traditional focus pads for kicking are slightly bigger than those used solely in boxing.

What Are Focus Mitts Made From?

As we become more conscious of our effect on the environment and the way we treat other animals, real leather is becoming rarer in boxing equipment. Synthetic leather is an excellent replacement, however, replicating the durability of leather in boxing equipment as punching bags, boxing gloves and focus pads need to be durable in order to withstand a barrage of punches.

All boxing pads are usually made from foam, as this is a great shock absorber, while also being lightweight so the training partner can move them around easily. However, some of the best boxing equipment brands have integrated a gel pouch into the mitt which increases shock absorption, reducing any chance of joint pain or muscle strains while training, such as these Curved Focus Mitts in Red and Black.

Why Should You Train with Focus Pads?

Boxing with a partner is a great way to train, not just because an experienced coach can instruct you on how to improve your mistakes, but because it’s a great social activity and a fun workout.

Even if you don’t have a coach but simply want to start boxing with a friend to improve your fitness with some great cardiovascular exercise, focus pads come in handy and are a relatively small and cheap piece of boxing equipment for beginners to get started and have some fun safely. Just make sure you’re always striking the same hand as your opponent – so a right jab hits the right pad and vice versa – and you can work on your technique later with a professional.

If you’re more experienced and want to improve your technique, whether it’s strike accuracy, power, speed, footwork, or you want to practise your combos, then focus pads are exactly what you need. You should train with a coach, though, or an experienced friend, as they can hold and move the focus mitts properly to hone both your attacking and defensive skills.

Why Buy Maxx Pro Boxing’s Focus Pads?

As one of the leading suppliers of boxing equipment in the UK, Maxx Pro Boxing prides itself on its expertise across the industry as well as its delighted customers. If you only want to train with the best, check out our selection of focus pads and gloves sets, or if you want to set up your own gym at home, have a look