A thought on weighted punching

This is an idea based on a ancient concept. The romans used to train their soldiers with heavier equipment than they would normally use in battle so they would have better endurance and speed when they had to use their actual gear. So, anyone ever give thought to modified bag gloves that could have weights inserted into them to weight them down? This would build strength through the punch as well as punching endurance. It might even increase punching speed simply because of becoming used to throwing much "heavier" punches.

I imagine gloves that would have a velcro pocket across the back of the hand you could insert a plate into for weight as well as possibly a weighted ring around the wrist. An alternative would be sand filled pockets around the wrist, back of the hand and along the packs of the fingers.

Another alternative would to be training your punches while holding a dumbell during the strike. It would be interesting if the gloves could be secured after you have grasped the dumbbell weight of your choice to create a solid glove package with something like a clasp or snaps. I picture the typical mitt over the the fingers style glove, but with snaps on the back of the mitt "fingernail" area that snaps into the palm of the hand when you make a fist. This would secure the grip on the dumbell creating a solid punching weight.

Anyway, it's kind of a wacked out idea I thought I would throw out there.

[Standard]

Dude thats not uncommon in the slightest, the most popular method is too train with really small dumbells in your hand and to shadow box with them. Alot of it is intended to give you a better snap to your punches, as was bruce lee's thoughts on the matter.

Sparing would not be the best with weighted gloves, add 12 ounces for the gloves (avg sparing) and say 16 more for a pound DB and some light punches are going to cause damage with an additional 28 ounces behind them. Not sure about adding it for bag work as the weighting would most likely be unbalanced when you hit which could cause injury.

Originally Posted by Standard

Dude thats not uncommon in the slightest, the most popular method is too train with really small dumbells in your hand and to shadow box with them. Alot of it is intended to give you a better snap to your punches, as was bruce lee's thoughts on the matter.

Sparing would not be the best with weighted gloves, add 12 ounces for the gloves (avg sparing) and say 16 more for a pound DB and some light punches are going to cause damage with an additional 28 ounces behind them. Not sure about adding it for bag work as the weighting would most likely be unbalanced when you hit which could cause injury.

My initial idea was with bag work in mind. I imagine with the possible unbalanced weight of the glove, you would have to be alot more concerned with proper punching form in order to NOT hurt yourself. I would never consider sparing with such gloves. The whole point would be for speed, striking endurance and over all power when you actually spar or fight with the proper equipment. Of the posted ideas, I think the one concerning gloves with built in sand pockets throughout the gloves would most likely be the most unbalanced, but the "snapping glove" one might not be too bad with properly wrapped wrists. Thank you for posting your thoughts on it.

[Standard]

i was more trying to cover all the basis, not sure what your training intentions were.

Another thing to keep in mind though, not saying you would, but alot of people have the mentality that 1 - 2 lbs is good, i'll hold 5's or 10's and hit harder. They then can't punch with the same form they should so they get no benefit there and can very easily overload their elbows. Basically a lose lose for training.

Originally Posted by Standard

i was more trying to cover all the basis, not sure what your training intentions were.

Another thing to keep in mind though, not saying you would, but alot of people have the mentality that 1 - 2 lbs is good, i'll hold 5's or 10's and hit harder. They then can't punch with the same form they should so they get no benefit there and can very easily overload their elbows. Basically a lose lose for training.

No real intentions actually. This was just some skylarking over possible training methods. It follows along the same line as wearing a weighted vest "kevlar style" with sand filled pockets while you grapple. Truth be told though, just training enough and in the proper forms would do the most good for a majority of us without gimmicks. I hold myself up as the prime example of someone that just needs to dig deep and hit the gym harder. It's been difficult the last two months to keep motivated.

[Happnin' Mojo]

Both Title and Ringside (and probably others) make adjustable weighted gloves that can go from 12 ounces each to 2.5 pounds a piece.

Originally Posted by Happnin' Mojo

Both Title and Ringside (and probably others) make adjustable weighted gloves that can go from 12 ounces each to 2.5 pounds a piece.

Nice. Good to know I am not the only person thinking about it. Guess I could have just did a search on Google to find out if there was anything like that available. Now I just need to find some reviews of people that have used those gloves and find out what they have to say. It would be interesting to hear how it works.

[SnowBlynd]

I don't know, I've heard bad things about training striking with weights. Whether there is any fact to it I don't know, the common things said were that is was bad on the joints, and also one's form usually became compromised to become accustomed to the added weight.

[Biggiebrother]

You can buy weighted gloves, they are better than using handweights

Nothing new at all

[Poseidon9]

The arguement against weighted punching is that the added weight carries your punches. Aside from the added weight assisting to condition your shoulders, I don't think there's anywhere else where one could benefit from it.