By: Hit N Move

Boxing is a sport that requires precision, speed, and agility, not just from fighters but also from their coaches. An essential tool in a coach’s arsenal is the punching mitt, which comes in various designs to serve different purposes in training. Each type of mitt offers unique benefits, catering to specific training needs and enhancing the overall effectiveness of a boxer’s regimen.

Regular-Sized Punching Mitts

Regular-sized punching mitts are a staple in boxing training. These mitts provide several benefits that make them indispensable:

• Precision Training: The size of these mitts allows for focused target practice, helping fighters improve the accuracy and precision of their punches.
• Speed Enhancement: The smaller target area encourages faster hand-eye coordination and reaction time.
• Versatility: They can be used for various drills, including combinations, defensive maneuvers, and footwork practice.
• Portability: Easier to carry and use in different training environments, making them convenient for on-the-go sessions.
• Improved Technique: Regular-sized mitts help refine technique by ensuring punches are thrown correctly and efficiently.
• Trainer Mobility: They allow trainers to move more freely and simulate real fight scenarios, helping fighters adapt to dynamic situations.
• Endurance Building: Using smaller mitts can be more challenging, thus contributing to building endurance and stamina during training.

Air Mitts

Air mitts offer several advantages over traditional mitts:

• Enhanced Shock Absorption and Comfort: Air mitts provide superior shock absorption, reducing joint stress and potential injuries due to impact strain. This makes long training sessions more comfortable and safer.
• Durability and Realistic Feedback: Designed for longevity, air mitts withstand heavy use and provide realistic impact sensation, helping fighters improve their punching technique and power.
• Reduced Trainer Fatigue and Versatile Training Options: The lighter weight and improved shock distribution of air mitts mean that trainers can endure longer sessions without the same level of fatigue, allowing for a wider range of drills.

Micro Mitts

Micro mitts bring several key benefits to boxing training:

• Enhanced Focus on Technique: The smaller size of these mitts boosts the emphasis on proper form and technique, making it easier for boxers to hone their punching skills with greater efficiency.
• Versatility in Training: These mitts allow for a wider variety of combinations and movements, enabling more dynamic and comprehensive training sessions.
• Reduced Strain on Hands and Wrists: The ergonomic design enhances comfort and safety, significantly reducing the strain on hands and wrists compared to larger mitts, helping to prevent common injuries among coaches and athletes.
• Portability and Convenience: The compact size of micro mitts makes them easy to transport, convenient for quick training sessions anywhere, from the gym to outdoor spaces.

The Common Flaw

Despite the various benefits that different types of punching mitts offer, they all tend to share a common flaw: a lack of protection for the coach. Traditional mitts often force coaches into awkward and anatomically risky positions, increasing the likelihood of elbow and wrist injuries. This issue underscores the need for innovation in the design of training equipment to better safeguard coaches while maintaining effectiveness.

Introducing Hit N Move and Turtle Mitts

Hit N Move, founded by Ozhan Akcakaya, recognized this silent struggle faced by coaches and set out to design a solution. With Alaina Akcakaya as the Vice President of Public Relations, the company has dedicated itself to creating advanced boxing gear that addresses these issues. The result is the Turtle Mitts, an innovative product line designed to provide maximum protection for coaches without compromising on training effectiveness.

The inception of Turtle Mitts was driven by the need for better focus mitts. Traditional mitts were causing injuries due to their design, which required unnatural arm positions. Collaborating with orthopedic specialists, Hit N Move developed the Turtle Mitts to reduce the strain on coaches’ elbows and wrists. These mitts come in three variations—regular, air, and micro—catering to different training needs while ensuring coach safety.

The name “Turtle” was inspired by a serendipitous encounter Ozhan had during a run. He rescued a turtle struggling to cross the road, and this moment sparked the idea for a mitt that combined protection, durability, and agility, much like a turtle’s shell. After 14 months of development and testing, the Turtle Mitts were perfected and have since been acclaimed for their innovative design.

Final Remarks

The evolution of punching mitts highlights the ongoing innovation in boxing training equipment. From traditional mitts to the ergonomic Turtle Mitts and advanced air mitts, each type offers unique benefits that enhance the training experience for both coaches and fighters. Companies like Hit N Move, led by visionaries like Ozhan Akcakaya and supported by dedicated professionals like Alaina Akcakaya, continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in boxing gear, ensuring that the sport evolves alongside the needs of its athletes. As boxing continues to grow and change, these innovations aim to elevate training methods, helping fighters reach new heights in their performance.

Published by: Holy Minoza