Focus Mitts, flat or curved?

[mauasci]

I want to buy some focus mitts. It seems everybody uses curved these days. But I was speaking to an experienced guy and he said everybody using curved is just internet broscience. He said flat mitts is for speed work and curved is for power work. And also that curved and contoured can be different things.

He even said he gets a kick of everybody just using curved ones for everything.

So what is the real deal?

 

[Reyesnuthugr]

^^I think that guy you talked to knows more than anyone here about that subject, honestly

 

[Lowkickallday]

I like how you can use the curved focus mitts for lights kicks and stuff but i've liked the flat small focus pads for boxing as it does seem to be nice for speed. Honestly I don't think it really matters but if you are doing only boxing then I would go for the flat.

 

[mauasci]

It's actually for MMA, guys.

 

[mauasci]

Nobody has anything to add?

 

[mauasci]

Incredible. There is nobody with enough experience in striking to answer this question here???

 

[MEGAhorse]

Incredible. There is nobody with enough experience in striking to answer this question here???

Relax.

The first answer you got was by someone who knows what's up.

There are three basic designs for punch mitts:

1) Flat - works speed

2) Curved - works power

3) Hybrid - obvious

 

[Da Speeit]

You can hold flat ones at an angle

 

[joeymarvelous]

As holder I prefer curved with a grip ball, personally. It seems to absorb shock a lot better.

 

[BigPapaShango]

I like holding curved pads for big hitters I train with. I also prefer to hit curved pads.

I am not sure if its a preference thing, but that is how I select mine.

 

[sugarD]

I prefer curved mitts. It's more universal and comfortable to "catch" punches. It's no matter for me speed or power work, the curved don't let the punch to "jump off" (excuse me my bad English).

 

[mauasci]

To make matters even more confusing, it's hard to wave through the marketing mambo jambo. Manufacturers will use fancy descriptions and names for marketing. So it's hard to compare.

Like calling it a hook & jab mitt but you can see no difference to a normal curved mitt.

What's a hook & jab mitt supposed to be as opposed to a curved mitt?

So far what I have gathered is:

Flat mitts = speed. Best way to train combinations.

Curved mitts = power. Best for power shots and guys throwing haymakers. Not so good for combinations.

Small bitty mitts = accuracy. Since they are smaller, they are harder to hit. So you need to be more accurate.

 

[StRatoCastR]

Air Mitts are the ones that absorb the most amount of power.

I dont think Flat and curved make you any faster on the combos. IMO its more old school vs new school--as far as theory and technique are concerned. Depending on who you talk to they will give you different reasons. Its basically the same argument which Running shoe is best, Asiscs, Brooks, or New Balance.

But at the end of the day they achieve the same thing, it just depends on who you talk to. Just use what feels best to you, concerning the flat or curved.

 

[rskbreaker]

Air Mitts are the ones that absorb the most amount of power.

I dont think Flat and curved make you any faster on the combos. IMO its more old school vs new school--as far as theory and technique are concerned. Depending on who you talk to they will give you different reasons. Its basically the same argument which Running shoe is best, Asiscs, Brooks, or New Balance.

But at the end of the day they achieve the same thing, it just depends on who you talk to. Just use what feels best to you, concerning the flat or curved.

Agree with everything Isaac just said.

 

[mauasci]

I believe flat is better for speed because they are normally lighter and thinner, so the wearer can move faster and call combos faster. Also flat you can hit from any angle and when training speed you are more prone to hit it off angle. Curved you always have to hit it at the right angle so your punch is caught in the curve.

And, what is a hook and jab mitt?

 

[MEGAhorse]

I believe flat is better for speed because they are normally lighter and thinner, so the wearer can move faster and call combos faster. Also flat you can hit from any angle and when training speed you are more prone to hit it off angle. Curved you always have to hit it at the right angle so your punch is caught in the curve, where as a curved mitt might catch the punch more and break up the rhythm

And, what is a hook and jab mitt?

I'm not sure what it is exactly, but I agree with you that flat mitts are faster. I guess in theory they shouldn't be, but experience trumps that and it just seems the punches bounce and pop off the mitt a bit which makes it easier to set up the next strike. It seems like the combos are a bit more fluid.

This is what I found in hook and jab mitts:

"Hook & Jab pads are probably the most common and popular type of boxing pad. They allow for coach and boxer to practice all the different types of attacking and defensive moves needed for boxing. Hook & Jab pads come in different sizes with the smaller pads offering better accuracy training for boxers."

 

[rskbreaker]

I believe flat is better for speed because they are normally lighter and thinner, so the wearer can move faster and call combos faster. Also flat you can hit from any angle and when training speed you are more prone to hit it off angle. Curved you always have to hit it at the right angle so your punch is caught in the curve.

And, what is a hook and jab mitt?

I'm not sure what it is exactly, but I agree with you that flat mitts are faster. I guess in theory they shouldn't be, but experience trumps that and it just seems the punches bounce and pop off the mitt a bit which makes it easier to set up the next strike. It seems like the combos are a bit more fluid.

Never thought about it like that. Makes sense.