Everlast kicking shields

Het Everlast Titan is een robuust en hoogwaardig trapkussen speciaal ontworpen voor vechtsporten en zelfverdedigingssystemen. Het is geschikt voor alle niveaus — van beginners die net starten tot ervaren vechters die hun techniek willen perfectioneren. Zowel voor personal training als groepslessen is het een ideale keuze.

Het trapkussen is gemaakt van sterk synthetisch leer — een robuust en duurzaam materiaal dat bestand is tegen intensief gebruik. Het synthetische leer is makkelijker te onderhouden dan echt leer en behoudt zijn vorm en stevigheid ook bij dagelijks gebruik in een drukke gym.

Ja. Het Everlast Titan is bij uitstek geschikt voor groepslessen en personal training. Trainers kunnen het kussen vasthouden terwijl leerlingen hun techniek oefenen, of het kussen kan worden gebruikt in circuittraining. De ergonomische grip en het grote slagoppervlak maken het comfortabel voor de trainer bij langdurig gebruik.

Both are perfectly usable for any training session, let's make that clear from the start.

However, there are differences and situations where you might prefer a hard or a soft kicking shield.

Soft kicking shields are generally more suitable for beginners than hard kicking shields. Beginners are not yet used to striking objects or other people with their body parts, such as shins and feet. Simply put, they are not yet toughened or conditioned for it. Soft shields simply hurt less for the person performing the technique.

However, there can also be disadvantages to (too) soft kicking shields, even for beginners. Take, for example, a front kick with the toes pulled back. If the shield is too soft, your toes can get caught in it, which can still cause (unnecessary) injuries.

Another disadvantage of soft kicking shields is that you can simply kick right through them, causing (unnecessary) pain to the person holding the shield.

Hard kicking shields are especially suitable if you already have good command of the techniques, allowing you to perform them (almost) at full power without causing too much harm to your partner. Hard kicking shields can generally absorb more impact. Especially with real "power kicks" like a back kick, this can make a huge difference.

However, if you kick incorrectly on a hard kicking shield (for example, with a roundhouse kick where the instep/foot is not positioned correctly), you will definitely feel it in the pain you experience.

Soft kicking shields:

• good for beginners
• better for getting used to
• be careful not to kick through them

Hard kicking shields:

• good for advanced users
• can be kicked at full power
• less forgiving with poor technique

Punching mitts, also known as focus pads , are compact pads that are held by a trainer during a training session. The terms punching mitts and focus pads are used interchangeably. However, in our view, there are subtle differences between them, which is why we have made a distinction on our website. Punching mitts are mainly intended for punches and punching techniques.

Thai pads, also known as kickpads or pao, are larger pads that are held by a trainer to practice both punches and kicks.

Punching shields are usually round, large pads that the trainer or partner holds in front of the body. These are especially suitable for all kinds of punching techniques, including hooks, liver shots, and uppercuts.

Kicking shields are the really large pads for punching and kicking. They are ideal for beginners and children who, to put it bluntly, are not yet very accurate. They are also very suitable for advanced users, as these pads allow them to practice their technique with full power .

Some kicking shields are slightly curved, as opposed to the usually straight shape. The idea behind this is to better imitate the natural shape of the body and the way kicks and punches are absorbed.

Some trainers believe this provides a more comfortable and also more effective training. 

Reasons for the slight curve in kicking shields:

• Better absorption of force: the curved shape of kicking shields helps to better absorb the impact of kicks and punches. This reduces the pressure on the arms and shoulders of the person holding the shield.
• Natural posture: the shield follows the natural shape of the body, resulting in a more comfortable position when absorbing kicks and punches.
• Improved grip: the curved shape can also contribute to a better grip and stability of the shield. This makes it easier for the trainer/partner to hold the shield.
• Reduction of injuries: thanks to better shock absorption and a more natural posture, the curved shield can help prevent injuries for both the trainer and the person training.
• Realistic training: the curved shape of the kicking shield also makes training more realistic, as it allows you to better mimic the movements of a real opponent.