Are you looking for something to hit, but not sure where to start? This is the blog for you!
You can never go too wrong when you’re shopping for training targets. Anything that is designed to be hit can be safely and effectively used for martial arts and combat sports focus training. Anything you end up selecting will be good for your training goals.
But some types of training targets are better suited to some disciplines and some goals than others. And this guide is designed to help you figure out what type of strike shield or focus pad is the best for your training goals.
We’ll be taking a look at five pieces of ProForce martial arts gear that are used for target training. We’ll get into what they are and what they do. We’ll also touch potential alternate uses if there are any to help you get the most out of your investment.
And if you hurry, there’s another thing these products have in common:
They’re all part of this week’s Wacky Wednesday sale, which runs until 11:59 pm ET on Wednesday, October 5. Wholesale discounts apply.
ProForce® Tombstone Shield
What is it? The Tombstone Shield is a multi-purpose, multi-discipline strike shield. Its shape is designed to accommodate punches, elbows, kicks, and knees in a variety of styles, including MMA, Muay Thai, Boxing, Karate, and Taekwondo.
What does it do? The Tombstone Shield is an excellent choice for general use in any striking training. It can be used in conditioning exercises, light power training, and beginner/intermediate drills for focus and eye contact. It’s big and easy to use, which means that beginners can safely and effectively start holding it very quickly. And if you don’t have any regular training partners around, you can probably teach a novice how to hold it for you in a few minutes.
What else can it do? If you want to get creative, you can also use a Tombstone Shield in grappling drills, plyometric training, and Pilates workouts. Check out our blog post “How To Get The Most Out Of Your Striking Shield” for more ideas.
ProForce® Velocity Curved Body Shield
What is it? The Velocity Curved Body Shield is a striking shield with a curved body and multiple handles, featuring an adjustable hook loop main closure strap for a secured striking target. This type of shield is also used in a number of different styles of striking training, like MMA, Muay Thai, Boxing, Karate, and Taekwondo.
What does it do? The Velocity Curved Body Shield has a number of the same benefits as the Tombstone Shield. It’s easy enough for beginners to use but strong enough for more advanced athletes to benefit from it, too. The main different is in the design, the flat body and angles of the Tombstone make it the best choice for strikes that can come at different angles like roundhouse kicks and hooks. The Velocity Curved Body Shield’s curve makes its the best choice for training that focuses on clinch work and strikes to the torso like knees, uppercuts to the body, and push kicks.
What else can it do? You probably don’t want to try Pilates on this model, but the Velocity Curved Body Shield can be used for ground-and-pound MMA drills and plyo workouts.
ProForce® Gladiator Curved Muay Thai Arm Shield
What is it? The Curved Muay Thai Arm Shield is a type of focus pad with a cushioned grip bar handle, two adjustable hook & loop forearm closure straps, and extra padded cushioning along forearm. This item is sold individually, but it’s most commonly used in pairs during training.
What does it do? As you can probably tell by the name, the Gladiator Curved Muay Thai Arm Shield is for Muay Thai training. But it can also be used for Boxing and fitness Kickboxing. The weight and size of the pads take some time to use properly, so they’re not the best choice for rookies. But once you get beyond the very early stages of your training and learn how to hold them properly, they’re a great tool for improving your technique, hand-eye coordination, power, and conditioning. And you can work on those aspects of your game even while you’re holding them for a partner. Holding the heavier pads builds muscular endurance and moving them into position and properly checking strikes improves your focus.
ProForce® Velocity Square Hand Target
What is it? The Velocity Square Hand Target is an 11” square focus pad with a reinforced upper handle, and adjustable lower strap. It’s covered in a durable vinyl shell and an internal impact resistant foam.
What does it do? The Velocity Square Hand Target is designed for drills involving hand strikes. If you’re careful and precise, it can also be used for some adapted foot striking technique training. It’s primarily for use in martial arts like Karate and Taekwondo. But if you get creative, you might also be able to use them for combat sport drills with Boxing, Muay Thai, and MMA techniques.
ProForce® Filled Grappling Dummy
What is it? This grappling dummy, sometimes known as a throwing dummy, is a person-shaped piece of martial arts gear that offers you a partner that will never complain about being thrown, punched, kicked, twisted, or choked!
What does it do? Like the name suggests, grappling dummies are for grappling training. They’re designed to allow you to perform a wide variety of takedowns, throws, submission drills, and position work without a partner.
What does it do? The shape and weight of grappling dummies also makes them a good choice for MMA-based striking drills. You can work on your ground game strikes from positions like mount, guard, knee on belly, and more. And if you secure your dummy well enough, you can probably use it for a decent stand up striking workout, too.
