A reflex ball will NOT make you a good fighter. This is most important. However, a reflex ball can help you increase your timing, speed, precision, and accuracy for boxing and MMA, and anything else.
The reflex ball may also be useful for tennis, pickleball, and other engagements that require hitting a target with accuracy. Even if you aren’t a fighter or an athlete, hitting a reflex ball is fun, and a good, portable way to get steps in each day. Children, the elderly, and everyone in between can use a reflex ball.
Understand that a reflex ball is not the training, but is an accessory to the training. So you will not become a martial artist by using one, but a martial artist may use one as an accessory for martial arts training, but not as a focus.
If the choice is between going to Martial Arts class or hitting the reflex ball and all other things are equal, you should always go to class.
Consider using a reflex ball when major training is completed, or you cannot train because you trained already, or other circumstance. A reflex ball is excellent for travel because it has such a small footprint.
The reflex ball is not complex to master. Mastering a boxing speed bag is much more difficult.
Reflex Ball – Overview
A reflex ball is a ball attached to a string, attached to a headband. It’s a cheap device. Most reflex balls will need to be replaced each year, and they may not last a year depending on how often you train with your reflex ball and which one you buy.
You should buy a cheap reflex ball with positive, organic reviews. We have suggestions below in the “Recommended Reflex Balls” section of this article.
Reflex balls are inexpensive so replacing it each year if needed is not painful to the finances.
Reputable brands make reflex balls like Venum and Hayabusa, but you may not need or want one from a premium brand as all reflex balls are the same simple design of a headband, ball, and string, and are likely made in a manufacturing hub like China or Vietnam, possibly by the same manufacturer.
You do not need to wear gloves to hit a reflex ball. The reflex ball should be viewed as a portable device for quick cardio. Something to use while traveling, during commercials while watching something, for a 10 minute break, etc. It should be viewed as a supplement to primary training.
Recommended Reflex Balls
We have tested many reflex balls and have found good options that are universal for the fighter and the non-fighter.
Ultimate Reflex Ball Set – 4 React Reflex Ball Plus 2 Adjustable Headband, Great for Reflex, Timing, Accuracy, Focus and Hand Eye Coordination Training for Boxing, MMA and Krav Mega
This generic reflex ball comes with 4 reflex balls of varying difficulty, two headbands, extra strings, and a carrying pouch. It is our top recommendation, costing 19.99 at the time of this writing. We have used this specific reflex ball extensively using the hardest-difficulty ball, and have replaced it twice over three years.
This package comes with the most accessories, most balls, and ships quickly from Amazon.
Remember, this is a simple and cheap device. You should not expect it to last 10 years. It should not have a monthly subscription, or any other tricks. It’s a ball with a string that will likely need to be replaced after a 1-3 years depending on use.
If you want a reflex ball, this is our top pick. We listed a few more options with alternative strengths.
Hayabusa Boxing Reflex Ball Kit
Hayabusa is known for premium MMA and fight sports goods. They make quality apparel and accessories they design themselves. They sell the only reflex ball on this list that is fundamentally different than the rest.
They do not sell their reflex ball on Amazon. Notice the thin headband. Their kit comes with a heavy ball, and a light ball, each with its own string. The reviews are excellent and written by real people. This product also has free shipping and exchanges and only costs $19.99.
This is a good product from an excellent brand.
Venum Reflex Ball
Venum is a well-known MMA brand that has been in the fight game for a long time and is the current garment sponsor for the UFC.
They make a reflex ball package for 29.99 that sells on Amazon or on their webpage that comes with two reflex balls and one headband.
The Amazon reviews have lower stars and fewer ratings than the generic ball above. This does not make it inferior; Venum makes premium products for martial arts.
Ill-advised Reflex Ball(Boxbollen)
We’re going to give a warning about a brand called “Boxbollen”, a heavily influencer-advertised reflex ball. We do not recommend their boxing ball based on product cost, negative Trustpilot reviews,(1.7/5 stars, “Bad”), and other factors below.
Boxbollen advertised as being used by “celebrities”Boxbollen is $29.99 right now, while other entries in this list are around $20 or below.
boxbollen may have paid MMA Champion Jon Jones, Former MMA Champion Connor McGregor, and boxer Ryan Garcia for advertisements. Both fighters were in advertising videos and we could not find additional videos of them using the boxbollen product organically in any of their social media.
- Jon Jones demonstration
- Ryan Garcia demonstration
- Connor Mcgregor demonstration
- They advertise children hitting the reflex ball more than 17 times.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(RFK) former presidential candidate made a post with Boxbollen, which we can only assume he was paid for a sponsored post for a reflex ball.
They also sponsored the Dr. Phil show.
Their website lists 4.7/5 star reviews, but Trustpilot has their review as 1.7/5 stars, labeled ‘Bad’. They also boast 3-6 business day shipping at the time of this writing, which goes against what customers of Boxbollen are experiencing according to customers on their social media page.
The app for tracking repetitions is one of the main sellers of Boxbollen, but you can just count the number of hits you get manually. Once you get 100 hits in a row you’ve reached a sufficient level of mastery over the tool–NOT over boxing–where you don’t need to count hits anymore.
The Boxbollen return policy is quite restrictive as well.
Boxbollen return policy highlights:
- Product must be unopened and unused
- You must contact them before sending products back as they will not except them.
- You will not return items that are on sale.
- A $10 restocking fee exists for all returns.
- Shipping costs are non-refundable and will be deducted from your refund.
- You need to ship it back with tracking or insurance.
- The return window is 14 days
- Keep in mind must contact them before sending products back.
Instead of buying a Boxballen, buy a cheaper, superior, reflex ball from the suggestions above.
Takeaways
A reflex ball is a supplement to martial arts training or any training in the domain of the body; not a replacement. Even if you aren’t a martial artist, this is a fun device that helps with getting extra cardio or steps with a fun timing-based activity.
If you’re going to buy a reflex ball, buy a generic one with high reviews, or buy one from a premium brand. You should not spend over $30.
Consider purchasing a reflex ball to help train timing, speed, precision, and accuracy, or just to have a fun, portable, and convenient method to get extra steps in.
Understand that reflex balls are not expensive devices and they will need to be replaced.
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