In combat sports like boxing, Muay Thai, MMA, and kickboxing, mitts and pads are essential training tools used by coaches and fighters to develop technique, timing, power, and combinations. Each style serves a distinct purpose and is tailored to the demands of the discipline. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types:

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1. Focus Mitts (Also Called Punching Mitts)

Primary Use: Boxing, kickboxing, MMA – for punch combinations, speed, and accuracy.

• Design:
  • Small, padded targets held in the palm of the trainer’s hand.
  • Usually made of foam and leather or synthetic material.
  • Curved or flat striking surface.
• Styles:
  • Traditional Curved Mitts: Contoured to guide punches naturally; great for boxing combos.
  • Flat Mitts: Offer a larger, stable surface—ideal for beginners or heavy hitters.
  • Double-End Mitts: Attached to a string or bungee for reactive, moving targets (less common).
• Best For:
  • Precision striking, head movement drills, and combo flow.

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2. Thai Pads (Muay Thai Pads)

Primary Use: Muay Thai, kickboxing – for punches, kicks, knees, and elbows.

• Design:
  • Larger and thicker than focus mitts.
  • Worn on the trainer’s forearms with straps.
  • Built to absorb heavy impact from shins, knees, and elbows.
• Key Features:
  • Dense, layered foam for shock absorption.
  • Angled top edge to catch roundhouse kicks.
  • Reinforced stitching for durability.
• Best For:
  • Full-power striking, clinch work, and leg kicks.
  • Developing fight rhythm and conditioning.

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3. Kick Shields (Body Shields)

Primary Use: All striking arts – for body shots, low kicks, and power training.

• Design:
  • Large, rectangular or oval pads held against the trainer’s torso or legs.
  • Extra-thick padding (often 3–5 inches).
  • Equipped with handles or straps for secure grip.
• Variants:
  • Body Shields: For liver shots, hooks, and uppercuts to the torso.
  • Leg/Kick Shields: Designed to absorb low and middle kicks; often angled.
• Best For:
  • Power development, conditioning, and simulating real fight impact.

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4. Double-End Bags & Reflex Balls (Not Mitts, But Related Tools)

While not handheld pads, these are often grouped with mitt work for reaction training.

• Purpose: Improve hand-eye coordination, timing, and reflexes.

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5. Grappling Mitts / MMA Mitts

Primary Use: Mixed Martial Arts – for striking while allowing grip functionality.

• Design:
  • Hybrid between boxing gloves and open-finger MMA gloves.
  • Padding on knuckles but open fingers for clinching or grappling transitions.
• Use in Training:
  • Less common as coach-held tools; more often worn by fighters during mitt drills that include takedown defense or clinch entries.

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6. Slap Mitts / Reaction Mitts

Primary Use: Reflex and defensive training.

• Design:
  • Small, lightweight mitts with minimal padding.
  • Used in partner drills where one person tries to slap the other’s hands.
• Purpose:
  • Sharpen reaction time, head movement, and parrying skills.

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Choosing the Right Gear: Quick Guide

Boxing combos & speed	Focus Mitts
Kicks, knees, elbows	Thai Pads
Power body shots	Body/Kick Shields
Low kick conditioning	Leg Kick Shields
Fight simulation	Thai Pads + Focus Mitt combo
Reflexes & defense	Reaction/Slap Mitts

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Pro Tips

• Padding Thickness: Thicker = more protection but less feedback. Thinner = better for speed work.
• Strap Quality: Look for reinforced wrist straps—Thai pad sessions can be brutal on weak stitching.
• Material: Genuine leather lasts longer; synthetic is more affordable and easier to clean.