Nothing defines Muay Thai training like a good pad work. With a partner or neighbor, investing in a pair of the best Muay Thai pads is worth the weight in gold for home training.
In the first installment of this Home Training special, I wrote about picking the right heavy bag. Bag work is largely a solitary exercise and while it has many benefits, you must not forget that Muay Thai is an exchange between 2 martial artists.
This is why Muay Thai training features a high proportion of partner training such as sparring, clinching, and pad work.
For this second part of the home training series, let’s explore the various Muay Thai kicking pads, their uses and which ones to get.
In a hurry? Check my top 3 picks straight away: (I do recommend scrolling down to read my detailed reviews as well as other types of pads for different training purposes)
Muay Thai Pads & Padwork
Pad work is a training associated with Muay Thai and other kickboxing sports. Focus pads or mitts are the equipment of choice in traditional boxing: they are smaller and are used primarily for training punches.
Thai pads are about double in size and rectangular in shape, weighing between 1.5 to 4 kg (around 3 to 9 lbs) each. They are designed to catch all the weapons of Muay Thai including punches, elbows, knees, and kicks.
Pad-holders would also use them to work your reflexes and defense by swinging them towards you where you are meant to block or dodge.
Muay Thai pads are designed with safety and mobility in mind. The best Muay Thai pads are constructed with proper composite padding which reduce the impact on the forearms while remaining light enough for ergonomic reasons.
Padwork & Pad-Holding
Pad-holding is an art form. When a pad-holder and the fighter are in tuned, the flow is seamless and incredibly beautiful to watch.
A good pad-holder not only knows the right way to hold the pads. He is inventive, knows how to simulate the flow of an actual fight, is able to motivate and push one beyond the limits.
You’ll be surprised to learn that there are lots of mediocre pad-holders but when you meet a good one, you will know he’s THE ONE.
A good fighter doesn’t necessarily transition to being a good pad-holder. Pad-holding is a skill that doesn’t come naturally for everyone, even the champions.
Some either lack the imagination to execute a natural pad workflow, or they just lack the right attitude to want to work on being good at it. Many pad-holders make it look effortless but is actually a highly intense work.
Even though pads do absorb a bulk of the impact from the strikes, doing it with fighter after fighter, day in and day out, it is a very physically demanding job that inadvertently takes a toll on the body.
If you have been around enough camps, you will also meet many different types of bad pad-holders. My least favorite is the one-trick pony pad-holder who does the same routine every freaking session or even the same five techniques every round.
Most people have their favorite and least favorite pad-holder to work with although you don’t always have the luxury of choice. If you are going to partner up with a friend for some home training padwork, then make sure to communicate and help each other work on improving pad-holding skills.
With the right home training partner, pad work is one of the best and most fun ways to improve in Muay Thai.
Note for BeginnersPad holding is not as easy as it looks. Before going hard at the pads especially with the kicks, it is important to learn some pad holding basics. This will help to minimize potential injuries to the arms or shoulder joints for the pad holder. The key to safe pad-holding still boils down to proper techniques. Watch this YouTube video on how to hold pads correctly: |
Benefits of Training with Muay Thai Pads
No one would be doing it if there aren’t some kind of benefits. Pad work resembles an actual fight and allows the fighter/student to throw full-power strikes which they can’t always do during sparring. Here are some of its other benefits:
Builds Cardio
If you throw each punch and kick like you mean it, pad work is the ultimate cardiovascular endurance training. 3 minutes of non-stop pad smashing can feel like an eternity.
Some Muay Thai camps (in Thailand) that cater to tourists are referred to as “Fat camps” for good reason. They do 3-5 rounds of pad work and that’s all it takes to burn a truck of calories.
Having a trainer or partner holding pads makes a huge difference as they would push you in a way that most people wouldn’t if they trained on their own.
Sharpens Techniques
If you have yourself a good pad-holder with lots of experience, he can help to correct your techniques on the spot as he sees it.
Little things like not driving your cross from your toes up, not blocking when you throw a roundhouse kick, generally habits that have gone formed over time unknowingly.
A good training partner or trainer can correct them there and then. Something that a heavy bag can’t do.
Trains Footwork
Besides sparring and shadow boxing, padwork is also a great way to train footwork and movement. A good pad-holder will not just stand stationary but will move around to mimic movement in the ring when fighting.
Side-stepping, dodging, feints, and other footwork can all be taught and drilled in padwork.
Best Muay Thai Pads
The most common pads used in Muay Thai (or MMA striking) training are the ubiquitous hand-held kick pads.
These are mostly rectangular in shape and designed to catch every imaginable Muay Thai weapon, as long as the pad-holder is up to it.
These pads are made by many fight brands and models may come in standard free sizes or different sizes and weights to choose from. While smaller/lighter pads are easier to hold for a longer period of time, they may not afford the same protection that comes with heavier/thicker pads which absorbs impact better.
That said, too heavy a pad and it will tire out the holder fast.
In my experience, Thai pads need a bit of time to break in and so they can feel bruising hard when they arrive fresh. A few days or a week in and they will feel perfect. Too soft a pad isn’t necessarily a good thing as the impact will transfer to the pad-holder which can be a health hazard in the long run.
At the same time, pad kicking is a good way to condition the shins so soft pads are useless in this aspect. Here are the best Muay Thai pads you should get:
| Note: Before we get into the recommendations, here’s something to take note of. Most merchants sell kick pads in a pair but there are a few that sell them as a single piece. Make sure to check before adding any kick pads to cart that you get what you are paying for. |
Fairtex Curved Kick Pads
- Curved shape: Fairtex Thai pads are specifically designed for maximum endurance and impact. This boxing equipment allows for hard hitting & punching with maximum trainer protection
- Safe and easy to use: Made with premium cow hide leather, the boxing gear is durable and safe for boxing equipment for training at home. Designed in a way that no dust is produced when kept on floor.
- Comfort first: Fairtex kick mitts are made with two support straps for trainer comfort. These kick pads are lightweight & easy to hold for long training sessions. Thick padding for added protection.
I am recommending Fairtex as it is the brand they use at the gym where I train and with hundreds of students coming in day after day, these have held up well.
Fairtex kick pads can be quite hard when they are fresh out of the factory, especially for beginners whose shins are not quite conditioned yet. They will soften up just right within a couple of weeks’ of smashing. So just hang in there, buddy.
These Fairtex curved pads are more comfortable to kick at and will break in faster compared to pads with flat surface.
They are padded enough to absorb impact from the hardest kicks but enough toughness for shin conditioning. Very well-constructed with strong stitching for long-lasting durability.
Fairtex training equipment are designed to meet the heavy usage requirements of commercial and fight gyms, so they are more than adequate for home training purpose.
They come in small, standard and large sizes with the standard weighing at around 3.5-4 lbs each which is a comfortable weight for most people without sacrificing protection.
| User Reviews |
| – “I would recommend these to anyone looking for a durable set of Thai pads.“ – “I hold pads for some strong kickers and with these pads, a barely feel their kicks. “ -“airtex once again trumps all the competition in quality. These are the most comfortable and durable Thai Pads on the market – grab them, today!“ |
>> Click here to shop Fairtex kick pads at Amazon Now <<
Twins Special Muay Thai Pads
Another popular option used in authentic Muay Thai gyms all around the world.
These Twins Special pads are very well-padded pads suitable for hard kickers. Absolute beast of training gear and well-loved in Thailand gyms. They are slightly less comfortable compared to curved pads but will get the job done.
In terms of quality, these are the industry standard. They come with adjustable belt buckles for extra support for the intense extended sessions. Pad holders will appreciate these very much.
Between the Fairtex and Twins options, you won’t go wrong with either one. Nothing to complain about at all. Do check where these will be shipping from as some seller are based in Thailand.
| User Reviews |
| – “There’s a reason Twins has been number one with serious Thai boxers for the last 30 years.” – “Great pads. Love Twins Thai products.” |
>> Click here to shop Twins Special kick pads at Amazon Now <<
Yokkao Leather Curved Muay Thai Pads
- Enhanced Feel & Comfort: The Boxing pads are made with smoother finish & firmer feel. Soft head pads help in trainer jabs & hooks. Padded straps & forearm support ensure maximum comfort for trainers.
- Ergonomic Curved Design: The curved design makes these kick shield easy to hold and provides a comfortable grip during training.
- Premium Cow Hide Leather: A variant of the best-selling KPLC2 curved kick pads, these pads are constructed with 100% premium cow hide leather in every part, ensuring unbeatable durability and quality.