Conditioning Your Hands/Knuckles for Karate | Gloves or No Gloves?

While maybe in the video I don’t tell you how to make your knuckles grow.. it is important to me that if people are going to be punching stuff, they use the correct form and make sure they adapt from using boxing gloves or NOT using boxing gloves.
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Karate, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, MMA, UFC, Sensei Seth, Kata, Kumite, Sparring, Fight, Boxing, Kick, Side Kick, Yoko Geri, Roundhouse Kick, Spinning Wheel Kick, Tricking, Bottlecap Challenge

[@SenseiSeth]

What’s your training ratio, gloves to no gloves? I’m wearing gloves 2 times to every 1 I don’t.

[@MrLeMarius]

I always train with gloves, but I sometimes go bareknuckle on the last round. It forces me to remain extremely focus despite the fatigue.

[@SenseiSeth]

Ooh, love that!

[@ThatFreeWilliam]

I constantly endanger my hands as much as I can...so barehanded most of the time and against the most unpredictable surfaces I can find, I put on MMA gloves loose (So the wrists have as little support as possible) in short bursts to practice for taking over the MMA. ;) Never, ever wraps. Apes can jam their hands blindly through branches without protection, and the more I train this way the more like them I get. It also seems better for my reactions and hands just for life in general.

[@ThatFreeWilliam]

Oh! And also, seems to have cured my Carpal Tunnel. I can't say for certain that's it but I didn't change anything else behaviorally and am using the same keyboard!

[@justmytwocents5166]

Oss Sensei Seth. I remember dinging my wrists bad when I first started boxing training. Especially throwing hooks haha. Ive never really done rds on the bag without gloves and wraps though. This is a great video, love the advice about the wrist angle.🤘

[@thetruemorg]

Long time iron palm practitioner: I so wish that I could have be able to get across to students what you just did. You put in years of building up your structure So you don't get hurt. I don't even teach iron palm anymore because people do too much and then they get hurt and quit. From the opposite side a boxer who's never willing to take off their gloves is going to sooner or later get injured because they've used it as a crutch.

[@SenseiSeth]

Morgan O exactly. The point I’m trying to make. Thank you!!

[@IbrahimKhalil-bt9yh]

Respect and I fully agree

[@G_STYLIN]

@@SenseiSeth we now that bone density increase by what about tendons and ligaments cartilage?

[@Lcky-gu2gi]

Happened to Mike Tyson when he fought Mitch Green in a street fight

[@VincentMMALife]

Being able to hit without gloves is very important especially if you also train for self defense. Nice video Seth!

[@SenseiSeth]

Truth truth! Thanks bud 🙏

[@mykaratejournal2120]

right on the money .. couldn't agree more!!

[@AlexanderGent]

Completely agree with you I much rather punch without gloves. It always feels better without protection! 😁

[@SenseiSeth]

Jeez lol

[@erebys21]

Don't tell the girls at the club that

[@lady_draguliana784]

Even I giggled at that! :p

[@Gan-Seong8455]

Damn

[@tauhid9983]

Man, u're getting slick with those editing. Hats off to you!

[@SenseiSeth]

Be-LEAVER _19 I’m working on it!! Thanks 👏

[@hard2hurt]

Omg this is brilliant! Great idea.

[@SenseiSeth]

Lol

[@BeReadySelfDefense]

Man, I couldn't agree more. When I started self defense we were always bare knuckle -- except for sparring and we didnt have heavy bags to hit since we were broke college kids. I'm grateful for it to this day because it forced me to practice good punching technique early and my knuckles never get busted up due to lots of conditioning. Also, that edit was dope.

[@SenseiSeth]

Haha thanks boss!! Yea, no glove gang here 👏

[@slowcivicep3]

bruh that intro transition was beautiful and SEAMLESS

[@SenseiSeth]

Haha thanks bud!

[@mark11145]

To true. Great video! Bone alignment in a punch is critical. It is also one of the overlooked and misunderstood aspects of “heavy hands”. Some boxers hit like a freight train even with a jab and have heavy hands. Heavy hands requires bone alignment and the ability to transfer your body weight through the punch. Karate guys use their hips to transfer their body weight but without bone alignment you don’t get the full impact force.

[@SenseiSeth]

PREACH IT MARK

[@MWall711]

Knuckle pushups and makiwara. The pushups force you to keep your wrist straight if you’re on the first two knuckles. It also strengthens your grip and forearm and toughens your knuckles. The makiwara forces you to keep your wrist and knuckles aligned when doing straight punches or hooks and really makes you start out slowly as a beginner.

[@SenseiSeth]

👏👏

[@soupedkid13]

This is probably the most important video I’ve seen on your channel for me. I alway mess up my hands when training and practicing on my heavy bag. That visual guide of lining up the wrist with the knuckles is the best way I’ve heard of explaining that, I’m taking it slow but so far so good. It’s actually one of the reasons I’m so reluctant to use my hands if they aren’t wrapped and why I focus so much more on kicking and grappling. And as for knuckle conditioning (I was taught knuckle push ups were key so that’s still my thing, it’s worked for me but otherwise forearm training the the key for stronger punches)

[@SenseiSeth]

Slow and steady is definitely the best way.. as for knuckle push ups.. idk honestly

[@lady_draguliana784]

Knuckle Pushups will definitely condition the skin of the knuckles and your supporting wrist musculature, tendons, etc. and is very helpful! However, to increase bone density, Impact is key. un-cushioned impact forces your bone's web-like microstructure to absorb the energy of the impact. this causes micro-fractures in the foam-like body of the bones. when these microfractures heal, they result in bone-scars at that microscopic level, thus increasing the total density of the bones effected. Take it slow and steady, and if you feal pain beyond mild soreness, take a break and let them heal. Rinse and repeat using every potential striking surface of your hand, in order to train all of the effected bones in all of the pertinent orientations. This is how my sensei worked his way up to breaking 3/4"-1" x 3"- 4" river rocks with knife hands fired barely from his shoulder!

[@36thChamberU]

You won't have gloves on in the street. It all depends on what you're training for! Sport or defending your life and loved ones.

[@SenseiSeth]

True true

[@Diabolical-Divinity]

I didn't think about using gloves as a kid. Don't really like them, Use 16 oz for exercise (Bit of extra weight) or sparing and MMA on Bob most of the time now I'm all old (He's got a pretty hard six-pack). Only ever hurt myself once and that was a palm strike I did wrong overextending the ligaments, that took an age to heal. Did do all the conditioning in my teens and twenties but it wears off pretty much after a number of years, which is kind of annoying. Nice work Seth as always Most pleasant well mannered, would be big ass scary guy. If you shaved your head dude you would look so mean.

[@SenseiSeth]

Stephen Gordon hahaha I’ll think about it with the shave. Thank you!

[@cortheijken951]

I'm a boxer myself for 7 years now and I can definitely relate to this with the heavy bag. When I focus on technique i tend to just use my knuckles, when I train on stamina I use gloves so i don't need to hold back on my speed and power and won't mess up my hands.

[@Cmaxb9]

Your use of camera angles/editing is getting very impressive. All video tricks aside you are absolutely right. Our soft tissue is more likely to get used to punching than hard tissue (bone density), better to support the structure as a whole and get used to proper form, it’ll make punches with gloves even more deadly!

[@SenseiSeth]

Thanks for the compliment!! Yea, I like the way you think though 👏

[@Cmaxb9]

@@SenseiSeth no problem, keep up the great videos as always man! 👊🏼

[@SenseiSeth]

Thanks!!

[@samward9294]

Homie went from a 7 to a 10 wearing a gi 😳😳

[@SenseiSeth]

😂😂😂

[@IbrahimKhalil-bt9yh]

Yeah I got a memory of icy mike saying outlandish stuff about going bareknuckle on bag, I think you and him should revisit this and make a video about it. If that's a sandbag then you are conditioning the knuckles, respect. It is very important to have some sort of knuckle conditioning if you gonna fight unannounced and throw punches to the head.

[@SenseiSeth]

Love the idea

[@IbrahimKhalil-bt9yh]

@@SenseiSeth I saw him the other day punching a board and he was almost crying, I don't hate on icy mike, I think he's a funny guy and all but somethings he says is just not true. I think he made a claim saying no one can punch a heavy bag hard or something like that, but there you are punching it crazy hard. I'm looking forward to it, I think you gotta update him on this one.

[@mykaratejournal2120]

that's a guy who does not shy from admitting when he doesn't know something .. but what he knows is very solid. Nice point about relying on structure instead of raw strength or bone density, for example. The more I watch Kung Fu, Karate, MMA, the more I realize how heavily they rely on forming structures with your body that are effective in delivering and absorbing force (including force of impact).

[@kapilasaurenman8961]

I spent years training my fist punching wood beams. Now I can punch through a 2 by 4 ... an it is about the way you line up your punch .. if you ever train iron fist your knuckles change shape. ... an bloody knuckles are not something to worry over

[@KineticZen]

Thoughtful and balanced on a much discussed topic. Thanks Sensei! (The ferris b reference cracked me up)

[@SenseiSeth]

Hahaha glad you caught that 😂 thanks!

[@jtelevenoyd1571]

This has always struck me as one of the more interesting topics in karate, but it's also one that I never put any real time or effort into. I've played stringed instruments for a hell of a lot longer than I've done martial arts, and nobody is ever gonna pay me to throw punches, so ... yeah, pounding sand is right out. I appreciated the focus on angle and technique. Thanks for a very informative video.

[@honigdachs.]

I never use big gloves - I feel they mess up my sense of distance and precision. I like sparring with 8 oz MMA gloves, and obviously never go full on crazy with the punches. You shouldn't anyway. I frequently hit stuff bare knuckle, but make sure to use heavy bag gloves more often than not because you can easily overdo it and hurt yourself. Also: knuckle pushups. Great that you mentioned the proper alignment of the knuckle with the forearm. Many people aren't aware of this.

[@SenseiSeth]

No sparring?

[@honigdachs.]

@@SenseiSeth For sure sparring, but I'm not a fan of the big ol' 14 oz gloves, I feel they change the game too much. 8 oz MMA sparring gloves is a good happy medium between precision and realism & protection.

[@SenseiSeth]

I wear 16oz, personally!

[@fredriksjoblom5161]

Great video. When i use gloves on the heavy bag i tend to get sloppy with my technique simply because the bag doesn't punish me properly when i mess up. Ideally i would simply have the dicipline and mental fortitude to always have perfect technique on my mind, no matter how tired i get. But just like many others, i'm just not configured that way!

[@regalisexa3869]

One thing that helped me getting down punching without gloves was concentrating on long slow karate style punches, (elbows to the sides) until I eventually got the movement down and stronger, then started to practice it in increments until I learned how to tighten my fist and brace it right before hitting the bag😁

[@SenseiSeth]

Yes! Makes punching stuff lots easier. Slow and steady

[@josephbrown2511]

Yes Seth. Another great vid bud.

[@SenseiSeth]

Joseph Brown preciate ya my man!

[@josephbrown2511]

Sensei Seth however I do blame you for my current avatar addiction 😂

[@SenseiSeth]

My bad lmao

[@josephbrown2511]

Sensei Seth dont worry im actually enjoying it. Good recommendation bud.

[@SenseiSeth]

Haha I just found it a week ago!

[@MG-bi6mq]

No gloves, no cup, no mouth guard. I am steel.

[@SenseiSeth]

You really must be 😂

[@tomkirkemo5241]

I started out with ITF TKD (yes..TKD :D ) From about 12 years old. We had this really intense instructor from Morocco...we used to punch trees and tiles and boards and stuff. And my right knuckle IS bigger than my left (I'm right handed), and I also have very little sensitivity left in them. :D After rhat I moved to boxing, Kick-Boxing...and now, at the age of 50, Thai. :D

[@jm-um1tx]

Those jabs starting at 7:44 are moving so fast that they're hitting the bag between frames. The camera isn't capturing the movement of the left hand, just the sound of the impact.

[@SenseiSeth]

Woah, did you put it in .25? I didn’t notice that

[@shotokankaratedude89]

Nice, I asked you this question in your live stream :)

[@SenseiSeth]

Sweet! Thanks!

[@stevenshar1233]

love the content as always but that editing in the beginning real smooth transition.

[@SenseiSeth]

Thanks bud!

[@lady_draguliana784]

REPOST: to increase bone density, Impact is key. un-cushioned impact forces your bone's web-like microstructure to absorb the energy of the impact. this causes micro-fractures in the foam-like body of the bones. when these microfractures heal, they result in bone-scars at that microscopic level, thus increasing the total density of the bones effected. Take it slow and steady, and if you feal pain beyond mild soreness, take a break and let them heal. Rinse and repeat using every potential striking surface of your hand, in order to train all of the effected bones in all of the pertinent orientations.

[@mitubogoogle]

Very cool intro💫💥 BTW milk as a kid, we need to keep the calcium intake as adults (supplements instead of milk), since the body will consume the Ca stored in the bones, leading to osteoporosis and other health problems

[@SenseiSeth]

Thanks!

[@zsolthorvath495]

Perhaps, I am a little bit oldscool but the bare fist (shin, and full body) conditioning is important for me. If you train karate (empty hand) these are your weaponds. If you hit sometimes a simple tire next to the bare fist heavy bag training your fist will be strong enough to use it without gloves. And of course some bare fist sparring in kyokushin style also good, but not to much, because your fight-distance knowledge will go away. I think you're right, the big bones without the full body conditioning behind them is a paper sword.

[@SenseiSeth]

Hey, it’s your body! You’re more than welcome to do what you’d like with it 👏👏

[@keyllonguevara1110]

Have u ever read jack dempseys championship fighting? In that book he describes punching with the last 3 knuckles(pinky,middle and whatever the other one is called). It's an interesting way to punch as most people only ever learn to punch with the first 2 knuckles.

[@SenseiSeth]

Somebody else commented a link to it in here somewhere!

[@hostilegraveyard2849]

FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF. 'nuff said.

[@KempoWarrior1954]

I personally use burlap material wrapped around a tree as well as a steel plate attached to the wall. Not for everyone, but hey....... Keep up the good work.

[@melisslacour15]

That intro was gold 🤣😂

[@SenseiSeth]

Lol I try 🤷🏻‍♂️😂

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Bone density is what to call it.. So put toothpicks on your hands Sensi Seth the Tooth Pick Karate Man

[@SenseiSeth]

Easy work 👏😂

[@justaguy10100]

If Baraka from Mortal Kombat has taught me anything...😂

[@SenseiSeth]

😂😂😂

[@momsbasementmma4842]

Good tips. I’ve been trying to perfect bare knuckle punching. 99.9% of people hold their fist wrong. Maybe my hands are just different?

[@simoneriksson8329]

Yes Icy Mike have done two videos about this and he wis not a big fan of hitting the heavybag with bareknuckles :p

[@simoneriksson8329]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXjEgJqeoNikptU

[@simoneriksson8329]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5jbY62fn796lac

[@SenseiSeth]

Meh, what does he know 😂 kidding

[@SamuelSeah]

Love hitting the bag bareknuckle or with mma gloves,im not a fan of boxing gloves becuz if how chucky it is so when i throw uppercuts on the aqua bag i keep hitting my thumb

[@Tancrededebourgogne]

Thank you a lot for that video 🙂 i did not hear talking of dit da jow, do you think that iron palm training is makeable without this chinese medecine?

[@jashardwallington]

I got that deadpool reference

[@SenseiSeth]

jashard wallington oh jeez lol that’s for Ferris Bueller!

[@jashardwallington]

@@SenseiSeth oh yea it was in there to been forever since i seen it 😂

[@SenseiSeth]

jashard wallington haha fair!

[@Lcky-gu2gi]

Depends if you are preparing for a Sanctioned fight like MMA or Muay Thai but if ur focus is 120% for self defense and ur coming home alive well my friend u better condition them knuckles the bad guys aint gonn give u time to wrap ur hands and put on gloves and punching with gloves and bareknuckle is waaaaay different and thats why Mike Tyson broke his hand when he fought Mitch Green in a street fight because he was used to hand wraps and gloves dont get me wrong it will still hurt getting hit by Iron Mike but gloved punch and bareknuckle is worlds apart in terms of punching

[@paintboy123]

I do makiwara board training often

[@lanemir_sindjelic]

he did make a video of it

[@SenseiSeth]

👍👍

[@johnnytsunami981]

What's up Everybody 💪🦶

[@SenseiSeth]

👋👋

[@calicozachgaming1863]

That subtle Hayabusa plug 🤣

[@FredKuneDo]

Just for the guys and girls who hear about the makiwara and knuckle conditioning: Yes, it is a traditional thing and legit, but you may not need it to condition your knuckles, if you have an heavy bag. The impact of your knuckles on an heavy bag has also the effect to densify your knuckles and other bones by "microfractures", if you do it for 1/2 hour, a couple of times a week. Anyway take care not only of your bones that connect, but also the joints in line. You do not want to hit the bag or makiwara with full power and a fully extended arm for example, because you will damage your elbow- and shoulder-joints over time.

[@SenseiSeth]

👍👍👍

[@douglasmacneil4474]

Push ups on your knuckles, and spqr with gloves. Do a mix of gloved and none gloves on bags and pads

[@SenseiSeth]

Pushups on your knuckles aye? Why?

[@douglasmacneil4474]

@@SenseiSeth works on the wrists, deadens the knuckles nerves with being hard on the bones. Though it does slowly build calcium deposits. Just not like a makiwara. And makes sure your bone alignment is correct

[@SenseiSeth]

Makes sense!

[@Zapinator321]

I like knuckle push ups

[@douglasmacneil4474]

@@Zapinator321 my students aren't fans

[@MB-rh6ro]

Ngl, you should invest in one of those shirt clip on mics

[@SenseiSeth]

Rooms a little echo-ey, but my mic I JUST BOUGHT is way better than when I didn’t use one

[@SamuelSeah]

Oh and does hitting the bag with mma gloves or bareknuckle hurt ur elbow? Cuz my right arm's feeling funky

[@loganalvarez2985]

This was an interesting video, personally i almost never hit bare knuckle anymore cause i have mma gloves now, to me nowadays (younger me was all about punching walls like an idiot) i feel the potential benefits dont outweigh the risks, my MA doesnt spar without gloves, im not actively looking for street fights and even if i did i wouldn't be punching to the head, and since im not looking for fights any fights i do end up in would likely be a surprise, meaning there would be a chance of getting in a fight with micro fractures that hadnt healed yet which could end up breaking my hand anyway, so the years it would take to potentially have a benefit just dont seem worth it for me personally, Still a good video tho

[@spencerpetersen4092]

This has good information, but the question in the thumbnail seems misleading: "Can knuckles grow?" I know they can because the knuckles on my right hand are bigger due to practicing safe space karate, but it's not really addressed in the video.

[@Crunchy166]

4:41 You don’t even know the videos your boyfriend’s made. tut tut...

[@youtubingitup247]

Hahaha

[@SenseiSeth]

Hahahaha

[@ryanliu6694]

My sifu taught me practicing eye pokes helps punching form because when you stick your first two fingers out your fist naturally creates a straight line through your bones. Point at something and see how your bones are aligned. Unless you’re a weirdo, it should be aligned. Kung Fu stuff yay

[@SenseiSeth]

Yea I’ve seen that from people too!! It’s a good premis

[@ermac4444]

So are u saying you can’t increase bone density? Or are u saying u disagree with it? Cheers

[@seynpurrp]

1:46 THE WAY HE SAID IT THO 💀💀💀

[@proctor9443]

i hit the heavy bag 5 days a weak without gloves and i have no problems

[@ermac4444]

Also when u say 2:1 ratio are u referring to sessions?

[@thientruong6557]

Icy mike did make a video about this

[@SenseiSeth]

What’d he say?

[@thientruong6557]

To be honest I forgot but if you want I can send you the link just remembered that he made one

[@thientruong6557]

But I don’t think it’s too far from what you said

[@ethanlammar5554]

Just rewatched the videos, just dissed it in his Icy Mike way. Short recap it's a waste of time and the only thing he uses it for it to lightly check it his form is right

[@SenseiSeth]

Ahhh, I was right, I disagree with him on it 😂

[@berniekatzroy]

Sensei Seth you have to imbue your fists with haki.

[@SenseiSeth]

Ah

[@TNTTestificate]

I don't normally use gloves... As long as you don't go too hard your knuckles will get stronger. People really do be out here not conditioning their hands lmao

[@SenseiSeth]

To each their own though!!

[@alexblue6991]

even at my age of 69 years old I still do knuckles planks on a wooden floor and punch the heavy bag bare knuckles when you Wear gloves you're thumb in the wrong position

[@malikgaskin262]

Thoes camera cuts thooo.

[@SenseiSeth]

Thanks!!

[@n.bcritical9819]

The thing is ...... It is and it isn't

[@SenseiSeth]

Yea, exactly... but also not at all

[@lowfyrooneyy7893]

im male and im robin and im not gay but anyways im just 10 yo and u are one of my favorite karate youtubers..well ofc i also like DOJOGO! but anyways yep lemme..lemme flex.. rq...ik the crane kick ik the roundhouse kick and the jab and the cross punches and also ik the axe kick an front kick i also know the leg sweep >:> thx for being an Awsome teacher tho

[@peterpauljackdaw6526]

What style do you do?

[@weshardy1063]

Hand conditioning in the training hall included Dit Da Jow. Most of the Kung Fu masters make their own or have a source. I am 54...arthritis comes for all athletes and warriors.

[@SenseiSeth]

Sifu Hardy I’ll be happy without it to be honest

[@fauxbravo]

It's so weird punching without gloves on, because when they're gloved, your hands aren't entirely closed. I hit the bags without gloves once in a while, but should probably do it more.

[@SenseiSeth]

I do it super frequently

[@SenseiSeth]

That being said, I’ve never had to punch someone bare fisted lol

[@fauxbravo]

@@SenseiSeth Haha, me neither. Don't really plan on it, but I guess you never know?

[@SenseiSeth]

Right!

[@bananananana6205]

but icy mike said that you should never do bareknuckle 😔😔😔

[@SenseiSeth]

What does he know lol

[@Lcky-gu2gi]

Id take no gloves anytime in a street fight u cant take special request "lemme wrap my hands and put on the glove first then we can fight" doesnt happen that way

[@kungfujoe2136]

no glvoes so you develop your skill and not like every boxer that breaks his hands in a streetfight (only did hand conditioning in kungfu)

[@SenseiSeth]

👏👏👏 not that they aren’t SMOKING dudes though, I wish I had the skills of a good boxer

[@undeadpresident]

Trust me you will break your hand if you hit someone hard on the top of the head without a glove.

[@SenseiSeth]

Don’t do that then..

[@leonidvishniakov3810]

Karate literly means empty hand....... empty means no gloves no wreps.

[@SenseiSeth]

doesn’t mean you can’t practice with them though.

[@leonidvishniakov3810]

@@SenseiSeth i think all karate nerds should practice with gloves from time to time because contrast is a great teacher.....(i am a karate nerd as well...)

[@SenseiSeth]

Exactly! I like your style

[@leonidvishniakov3810]

@@SenseiSeth my style is shotokan... your is kenpo?

[@SenseiSeth]

Kempo

[@Thaumic89]

#Kyokushin

[@SenseiSeth]

Peep the immediate dislike 😂

[@tauhid9983]

Bruhhh they gotta have a real bad day for that dislike!

[@SenseiSeth]

Be-LEAVER _19 no I’m sure it’s the same person every time lol

[@fookyouu5363]

Thats a softy bag

[@ThatFreeWilliam]

Eight year olds with plastic hammers are the worst!

[@SenseiSeth]

Always banging up the ole knucks 😂

[@ThatFreeWilliam]

@@SenseiSeth You turn your back for a couple of minutes and all of a sudden a gang of them has swarmed you and you can't type for a week! They're a menace!