Punch tracking has moved on a lot since you were decking gormless Ren, Tyrone and Pierre on Wii Sports. Now we’re in the era of cutting-edge shadow boxing – and it’s going to be as big as AJ’s bicep in 2020.
This body-worn fitness device, relatively new to the scene, puts some stats with your sweat with promises to boost the benefit of your work-out one southpaw uppercut at a time.
The tech is not a million miles from the Wii wand and nanchuck, only it’s funky and cool and barely noticeable. While your fists are a blur, unobtrusive motion sensors sit on your wrists – beneath your wraps – and clock the number, velocity and intensity of your punches via a smartphone app.
Big punch-track brand Hykso’s kit (pictured) promises to track your hands 1,000 times a second and offers deep-dive data for the purist – such as the difference categorising punches into straights – jabs and crosses – and power punches (hooks and uppercuts) as well as comparisons with big name fighters.
There’s a recreation of Wii’s boxing’s mad flail – a 12-second punch challenge that tops off a busy workout in which, depending on all the variables, could have burnt 300-400 calories for an hour of shadow boxing.
Punching classes are big business for boutique gyms and soon a number of brands will be incorporating trackers into their training. Specialist boxing gym 12×3 at Aldgate is already there as one of the first.
At £174.99, the Hykso Tracker, this is a serious bit of kit for those already in the boxing fitness game who are looking to make more from their workout.
3 to try
If you’re looking for a more Las Vegas than Living Room for your training, think about these high tech Canary Wharf venues:
- Sweat by BXR, inspired by stakeholder Anthony Joshua, is now open in Crossrail Place
- Awakn, on Mall Level 1, Jubilee Place offers bag punching in combination with treadmill and weights
- Third Space has a range of combat classes including Fight Klub and sparring by invite.