You punch like a sissy. At least, that’s what the other kids used to say back in middle school. You like to think you’ve outgrown that weakling of yesteryear. With these iPunch smart gloves, you can get yourself some proof.
Just like regular 4oz combat gloves, you can use these to protect your hands while punching people in the face during sparring at an MMA gym or when venting some pent-up anger at the Desktop Punching Bag in your cubicle. Unlike them, it’s armed with a set of sensors that will record every punch you throw and measure how hard each one is, feeding all that data to an accompanying mobile app.
The iPunch app will initially come with three main modules: iPunch Trainer, 3 Minute Round, and Test of Strength. iPunch Trainer is a training program that gives you specific punching instructions in real time, then records each session so you can see how well you’re progressing. The instructions get more complicated as you improve, giving you a way to build up punching skills without the need for a personal coach. The 3 Minute Round, on the other hand, simply records all your punches over a three-minute period for later review, leaving you to decide what kind of drills to perform all on your own. The last mode, Test of Strength lets you compete with a friend for bragging rights to whoever packs the harder punch.
Communication with the phone is done over Bluetooth, with apps available for both iOS and Android. It comes with an onboard rechargeable battery that can last up to 15 hours of continuous use.
An Indiegogo campaign is currently running to fund iPunch. Pledges to reserve a unit starts at $139.