The benefits of pads training are actually too many to list. But let's start at the beginning.
Pads training, what is it exactly? It is a form of training in kickboxing where you train one-on-one on your punches and kicks. Pads are used for this. This way, the person holding the pads doesn't strain their hands and wrists.
Today we will talk about the benefits that pads training has for you.
Benefits of pads training
- training reflexes
- good conditioning workout
- improvement of techniques
- improving your defense
Training reflexes:
One of the great benefits of training on the pads is that your reflexes improve. If someone gives you the command to perform a certain technique on their cue, you have to react quickly.
This ensures that when you spar, you can deliver your punch faster and respond more quickly to your trainer's commands in the ring. Additionally, your punches and kicks become faster and harder by training on the pads.
The more you practice a certain technique, the better you become at executing it.
Improving conditioning:
Training on the pads is also a good conditioning workout. If your trainer pads you at speed and makes you go very fast with combinations, with short rest periods, you build excellent conditioning for kickboxing matches.
Pads training is also one of the best workouts all kickboxers use for this reason. Training on the pads this way gives you a very realistic workout that simulates a kickboxing match very well.
In the ring, you also get short rest periods and often find yourself in situations where you go faster than you are comfortable with.
Improving your techniques
Pads training is the best way to improve your techniques because a trainer constantly watches you. He/she ensures your technique is correct, your hands are where they should be, and your stance is good.
Constantly hearing what needs to be improved will only make you better. Additionally, pads training has an advantage that punching bag training does not: hitting the pads feels better than hitting the punching bag.
Pads training is also one of the best ways to practice and improve your techniques. You learn so much from training on the pads because you have someone constantly telling you what you are doing wrong, for example, that you need to keep your hands up.
This makes you more aware of what you are doing wrong and what you can/should improve. Also, your punches and kicks become harder and faster through pads training. For example, the more often you throw a right cross, the harder it becomes.
Improving your defense:
If you have someone holding the pads for you, that person can correct your guard by tapping you with the pads.
This not only trains your guard/how quickly you pull your hands back, but also your reaction time so you can see punches coming. If you often get hits to the middle of a combination to your head and have to block them during your combination, you train your reaction time.
Floyd Mayweather JR does this kind of exercise a lot during his pads training. You can also practice dodging while pads training! Let your training partner gently hit you back on the pads after and/or during a combination.
This forces you to dodge his attack. This makes the training more realistic and match-oriented. In a real fight, you will of course also get hit back.
So you need to practice dodging these punches, because if you do, you learn to see those punches coming.
Are you looking for a complete training set to train with? Then check out these amazing handpads. That way, you can quickly experience the benefits of pads training yourself!