strongest human punch force

But how do they do it? (Video) How to PUNCH HARD With Maximum Power!! 43. The strongest punch you can throw is an uppercut, but it works best when it's set up by a jab and cross. {Good Luck Thor}, (Video) Comparison: Most Painful Places To Get Punched. The average force of a boxer's punch is around 770 psi (pounds per square inch). What is the strongest human punch force? Now, if an average human scores their hardest punch, wed probably go up to 185-220 foot-pounds or 250-300 joules. When you click on our links and make purchases, we may receive commissions. You can work on them by doing plyometric exercises, such as clap push-ups, etc. You can do workouts like shoulder press, pull-ups, and push-ups to target your shoulder and back muscles. Finally, the most important factor of a hard punch is your technique. If you've never heard of UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou, you may have heard his punches echoing across time and space like intergalactic Morse code. Try to find the middle ground between mass and speed. 37. Your email address will not be published. (Video) How To Punch Harder - Science Behind The Punch, (Video) Taking Eddie Hall's 'Hardest Punch' so Nobody else has to! They have the same weight, but the guy with more muscle will surely punch harder. What do you see when you get punched? Their punches are also much faster and it's harder to defend them. 2023 Luttrellstowncastleresort. 10. 35. On average, a gorilla punch packs anywhere between 1300 to 2700 pounds of force. These numbers can increase greatly with training or due to height, weight, and unique skill at kicking activities. How many punches can a man throw in 1 second? More specifically, the triceps are for speed of straight punches. . BLTV Extra. "Understanding brain injury mechanisms all the way down to the cellular level will ultimately help everyone, not just athletes," biomedical engineer Cindy Bir at Wayne State University in Detroit explained. equal to roughly a ton of force. What is the maximum torque a human can apply? Your email address will not be published. In a study of Olympic boxers striking a human head model, the hardest hitting 112 pounder approached the max force of the weakest striking 240 pounder. So, when determining how many foot-pounds is the average punch, were determining how much energy goes into one average human punch. Your entire body needs to be behind your punch to maximize its power, so you need muscle strength in your entire body, especially the torso. Read on to find out more about the force behind an average boxers punch and how it compares with other kinds of punches. And if you feel your fist, light as a feather, chances are you don't have much punching power. [Also in Newtons!]. Let's say they can punch with a maximum force of 4264496.38 kg/m 2. "We try as best as we can to study athletes in their native environment, so to speak, so more time in the ring, or during bouts or fights the better that's when they're really fighting to peak potential," Bir said. If it lands on the right spot, it can literally kill a human. 4.4lbs of pressure placed on the jugular for 10 seconds is necessary to cause unconsciousness. Done right, the one that throws the straight right will feel the impact through their joints. Ive noticed that champion boxers often just barely get hit by jabs, which transfers little energy. Julian Jackson, aka "The Hawk," pound-for-pound one of the hardest punchers in boxing history. Of all the incredible feats they can do, punching through solid objects like wood, concrete and even rocks is one of the most impressive. A pro slap competitor would have a higher slapping force. haNZAgod. 11. After looking at kicks from several different fighting styles, they found that experts could generate up to 9,000 newtons with them, equal to roughly a ton of force. How strong is a boxers punch? The science behind it is simple. The form of the broken steel will just be different. "We joke that if someone is willing to get hit in the head, we should be measuring it," she explained. Meanwhile, martial artists who practice their punching technique can generate 1300-1800 pounds of force. Is it possible to punch through steel? So if you are wondering if you are a hard puncher, check out this article after you finish with this one: 17 Signs You Are a Hard Puncher! After looking at kicks from several different fighting styles, they found that experts could generate up to 9,000 newtons with them, equal to roughly a ton of force. ESPN mentionslegendary heavyweight boxers like George Foreman, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, and Mike Tyson, whose iron fists came with a side of stone-cold crazy. Instead of simply swinging blows, Tyson aimed to snap his punches, which gave them explosive power. How many tons of force can a human punch? "If we know what causes an injury, you can do simple things like develop better protective gear and design bike helmets to help, say, 7-year-olds.". (Video) Gorilla- The Strongest Ape | How Strong is Gorilla Punch. Standing at just 5 foot 6 inches, and weighing 168 pounds, he is the pound for pound world's strongest man Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, No matter how old, big, strong, healthy or experienced with fighting someone is, one punch can be enough to kill anyone, or cause them permanent, life-altering damage. How many pounds of force is a hard punch? Ask anyone who has been hit by one. In 1955, Rocky Marciano was measured at 925 foot-pounds, which was an astonishing amount of energy behind a punch back then; and still is today. Thankfully, in this waking nightmare of ignorance-riddled speculation, there's one ferocious puncher that can handily put you to sleep and has numbers that back up his boast of being the world's hardest hitter. What to talk about when you have nothing to talk about? Short-range power punches averaged 178 pounds. Size does matter in the martial arts, but not necessarily in the way you might think. "His punches are equivalent to 96 horsepower. And then simple ballistics hand speed definitely helps. The transmitted impulse generated an acceleration of 520 m/s2 (53 g) in the target head. As a result, the older a kangaroo gets, the more dominant and stronger it becomes. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Male kangaroos are particularly strong because they never stop growing. To make these force values even more impressive your punch takes around six-hundredths of a second (60-100 ms) to throw. Mantis shrimp pack the strongest punch of any creature in the animal kingdom. Who has the 2nd hardest punch in the world? So, on your best day, you could get about 1500N of force in a punch. Small, medium or large hands . Their average punch PSI is around 447 pounds (peak punching force). Males' upper bodies are built for more powerful punches than females', says the study, published in the Journal of Experimental. Its not as simple as it seems, though, as many variables play a role in the power of a punch. The Guinness World Record for the strongest punch is 1,362 lbf (6,033 N) which was achieved by American boxer Franck Rene Cortina in 2014. . Heavyweights punch hard. As UFC president DanaWhite described at a press conference, "Francis Ngannou has the world record for the most powerful punch. Jiu-jitsu Workout:Strength And Conditioning Program For BJJ Training, Taekwondo for Kids: Benefits, Safety, and Everything Else You Should Know, What Are The Best Striking Martial Arts? (Video) Human Comparison : The Most Powerful Punches and Kicks, (Video) Why can't your body handle a punch to the liver? According to this hypothesis, the mechanical forces of the impact trigger a depolarization of the neuronal cell membrane, which leads to uncontrolled release of action potentials. Are humans stronger pushing or pulling? Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. 5. What is the strongest human punch force? Thats like a basketball being dropped from a 15-story building. Now, an average human punch with no equipment (gloves, etc.) Large fighters are usually stronger and can outmuscle opponents if they get their hands on them. However, an untrained, unskilled, average human generates around 150 psi with a punch. (Video) What Are The LIMITS Of HUMAN ABILITY? Another difference between boxing and other When talking about a potential 2000 psi punch, most people instantly remember Ivan Dragos lab tests in Rocky IV, where he measured 2105 psi with a punch. Keith Liddell is a mathematician and author. How hard does a punch have to be to break a bone? imagine your brother is blasting his music and you ask, "could you play that music any louder?" A quick, sharp blow that delivers some 3,300 newtons of force has a 25 percent chance of cracking an average person's rib, she said. On the lighter side of the scale you'll find the furious fists of martial arts icon Bruce Lee, whose one-inch punchwas a masterpiece of kinesiology that sent men flying like one of Lee's patented kicks. 3. (Video) How strong is Manny Pacquiao's punch? No matter how old, big, strong, healthy or experienced with fighting someone is, one punch can be enough to kill anyone, or cause them permanent, life-altering damage. The good fighters will move in for a jab or combo, and then withdraw quickly and evade the counter. Ford 7.3 Gas Problems - Is the 7.3 Gas a Real 'Godzilla'? Nothing near that has ever been recorded, and I highly doubt it ever will be without tons of steroids. Charles has a Master of Arts degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, School of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida. Move Your Body - Like Bruce Lee's theory behind his famous one-inch punch: moving your whole body one inch hits much harder than moving your arm one foot. Although Mike Tyson never tested the power of his punches on a machine, we all know that hes one of the hardest hitters in history. Punch a brick with your bare hand, and if you are untutored in the martial arts, you may break a finger. capable of putting behind his or her first. A liver shot or liver punch is a punch, kick, or knee strike to the right side of the ribcage that damages the liver. No matter what psi they punch at, theres no argument that boxers punch hard! Thats the same energy as a brick falling from 32 feet. We already stated that the average amateur boxer generates around 776 psi. Hello Dimitar, I enjoyed your posting. A boxer hitting someone directly at 1,400 psi would be the equivalent of being hit by a sports car going between 10-15mph, some of the sport's hardest heavyweight hitters have been able to . In the absence of a safe method of testing against a human being, the hosts deemed it "plausible" as a combat technique, if the user had proper training and experience. Numerous studies suggest the advantage held by the smaller pugilists is due to increased power generated by the strength-to-weight ratio. Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful, Address: Apt. What if I invest $15,000 a month in SIP for 5 years? To Tyson, the leverage in which he had the shoulder snap helped him land the knockout punch. When it happens, the air isn't literally squeezed from the lungs, but instead it is a matter of getting the diaphragm the sheet of muscle under the lungs to spasm. Professional boxers are able to punch with 2500-3000 pounds of force. 4,500-year-old Sumerian temple dedicated to mighty thunder god discovered in Iraq, See photos of stunningly preserved 52-foot-long Book of the Dead papyrus from ancient Egypt, 'Runaway' black hole the size of 20 million suns found speeding through space with a trail of newborn stars behind it, Alien-like giant phantom jellyfish spotted in frigid waters off Antarctica, Puzzle of the sun's mysterious 'heartbeat' signals finally solved, Painful 'cross-shaped incision' in medieval woman's skull didn't kill her, but second surgery did, Human brain looks years 'older' after just one night without sleep, small study shows. Luttrellstowncastleresort is a website that writes about many topics of interest to you, a blog that shares knowledge and insights useful to everyone in many fields. (Video) Human Comparison : The Most Powerful Punches and Kicks. Can a human being Match It's Strength? The boxers contact force is usually more than the martial artists. Its still pretty hard, but it doesnt have knockout power. The more momentum your punch gains, the higher the force behind it, so developing hand speed is crucial for a powerful striker. 6. Who has the hardest punch alive? weak areas such as limbs, joints, and balance. How fast is a human punch in mph? Thats around 1200 foot-pounds or 1600 joules of energy in one strike. Amazingly, there are no tricks involved, says Michael Feld, a physicist at MIT. Peak punch forces are reported to range from 1666 to 6860 N. Yes, the fighters with longer reaches, usually have more powerful straight punches. A boxing enthusiast who is always eager to learn something new about boxing and share it! What is the strongest human punch in pounds? Most significantly, Ive spent 20 years working security in night clubs so the opinion of a FORMER AMATEUR boxer is about as relevant as a screen door on a submarine. 26. Studies have shown that the average, untrained person can generate punch forces between 300-700 pounds of force. The form of the broken steel will just be different. you don't really expect him to answer you just want him to turn it down.? Heavy Bag. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). How Many Foot-Pounds Is the Average Punch? His punch is the equivalent to 96 horsepower, which is equal to getting hit by a Ford Escort going as fast as it can! [Also in Newtons!]. While this might seem like an unbelievable An average person with no martial arts knowledge is somewhere in the 800-1200 N range. 14. The punch is a key component of various combat sports. If you feel like you are shooting with some heavy ammo, you probably hit hard. However, no amount of protective Core strength also plays an important role in generating effective mass, this is known as the 'snap' of a punch. How much force can a normal human apply by hand? Who knows? How many pounds does it take to knock someone out? According to the UFCs president Dana White, Ngannous punch is equivalent to 96 horsepowers, or a Ford Escort hitting you at top speed.. The punching motion starts with a push-off from the ball of the foot and is maximized through the quadriceps and hamstrings. The biceps are for the speed and snap of your hooks and uppercuts. Mantis shrimp pack the strongest punch of any creature in the animal kingdom. Some fighters can punch extremely hard, while others rely on speed and tempo. However, the boxing hook will be much stronger as it has more mass behind it and will gain incredible momentum to the point of impact because the punchs trajectory is much longer. You should be on your toes with the back leg. Dozens of factors play a role in the power and speed of a punch. 18. Who Has The Strongest Punch In The World. So, how do they do it, apart from gaining muscle and being fast? That's 50 times faster than the blink of an eye, or about the same as the trajectory of a .22 calibre bullet - and with a force some 100 times that of its weight, making it the strongest self-powered strike by an animal . While this varies between weight classes of boxers, the average heavyweight boxer can deliver a punch between 1,200 and 1,700 psi. antagonist, Ivan Drago, punch at approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch How do boxers wield this amazing amount of force at each other without causing catastrophic injuries? Pan Qing Fu's martial arts specialty was the iron fist. He often could be seen smashing his fists into surfaces of varying hardness including iron as many as 1,000 times a day. Although it makes sense that a massive fighter can unleash more powerful blows than a lightweight, "it's also about how much of the mass of your body you can recruit," Bir said. Foot-pounds are a measure of energy, unlike psi, which measures pressure. It is the only human sport where one competitor aims to knock the other competitor unconscious with a single blow. Well, not quite. How many pounds of force is a hard punch? A quick, sharp blow that delivers some 3,300 newtons of force has a 25 percent chance of cracking an average person's rib, she said. And small fighters have less mass to set into motion, so they can move faster and use less energy doing it. So really the one that does more damage depends on how much force they can dish out, and which one they use more. There are many ways to work on your speed but know that more mass will mean less speed no matter how much you train. After all, he has a reputation of being the most ferocious fighter to step into a professional ring. 4. Kangaroos are very strong animals. Their club-like appendages accelerate faster than a bullet out of a gun and just one strike can knock the arm off a crab or break through a snail shell. Boxing / What Is the Average Force of a Punch? Strongman Eddie Hall became the first person in the world to ever dead-lift half a ton - but then passed out when blood vessels in his head burst from the pressure. One fighter compared absorbing the punch of a heavyweight to being hit by a speeding car. 'Big' George, 71, captured the heavyweight championship twice in his illustrious fighting career and was widely feared for his destructive punching power. One should put as much bodyweight as possible behind a punch, but its never 100%. Another study of 23 boxers showed elite fighters were able to punch more than twice as hard as novices, the hardest hitter generating almost 1,300 pounds of force. Because of the long-distance the punch travels and the momentum that is generated. The current record for punching power, 129,161 units, is held by MMA fighter .css-16acfp5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#d2232e;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-16acfp5:hover{color:#000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;background-color:yellow;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}Francis Ngannou, who is also the reigning Heavyweight Champion in UFC. If the force is high enough, your hand will break through the steel even if you move it slow. Here are some of the injuries that can result from a powerful boxing punch: Due to the serious injuries linked with boxing as a sport, competitive boxing authorities are increasingly forcing competitors to wear protective gear in order to prevent the more serious types of boxing-related injuries. The punch was registered at 45 miles per hour. The single punch of a lion can easily kill a human, if it hits his head or neck. At the same time, even an unarmed person can inflict an astonishing amount of damage with the proper training. The one who watched for the step and jab used their opponents and their own body weight. Punch it with the proper force, momentum, and positioning, and you'll break the brick instead. (8,626 kg) or more roughly the weight of five standard pickup trucks making it about four times as strong as concrete. Fist size or hand size in fighting doesn't make any difference at all, but rather the force behind the blow. It depends on the severity of the injury. 6) David Tua. When Mr. Satan claims he's the strongest person on Earth, he's not bluffing. "That doesn't means that below those values you won't have a fracture or above them you will," Bir said. 27. Still, going over 2000 psi is equivalent to around four tons of force, so I doubt even the record-holder Francis Ngannou could come close to that. (Legal and Illegal Clinching). That means an average human probably punches in the 10-15 mph range, but its highly individual because too many factors determine how fast your punch travels your weight, body type, and especially the technique. When their fists meet the head, something unusual happens, even by the brutal standards of boxing. In term of science and calculation, the human power just is not enough to break through a standard concrete walls. 41. Thank you for subscribing! Also, the surface on which the punch is placed (soft tissue, bone, foam, wood, etc.) There is no question Rocky Marciano hit like a truck, and he delivered some of the most dramatic stoppage of all time. I am an ex amateur boxer with brain damage I am healthy active 51 year old and what you are talking is bollocks until you have lived it dont preach it. They may also occur with constant repetitive movements in sports such as weightlifting, throwing sports and rowing. The heavier you are, the more energy you need to move at a higher speed, which is why lighter people usually punch faster. 3.56M subscribers. Throwing fast strikes also makes it more difficult for your opponent to evade or block your attacks since they have less time to react. Thats why heavyweights register the strongest measured punches in history. Tysons hardest punches are estimated to go north of 1500 psi, which would be like someone dropping a 225-pound weight on your face from five feet. Another study found martial artists needed 687 pounds of force to break a concrete slab 1.5 inches thick. Of course, plenty of professional fighters get hit in the chin, jaw and temples without getting knocked out. The movie Rock IV has boxer Rockys Batman is one of the strongest non-powered heroes even without his powerful gadgets. For reference, a strong MMA heavyweight punch records around 80 000 units on the machine, called the PowerKube. Video ) human Comparison: most Painful Places to get Punched & # x27 s... The martial artists who practice their punching technique can generate 1300-1800 pounds of force maximum power!! 'S punch a fracture or above them you will, '' pound-for-pound one of the hardest in! Absorbing the punch of any creature in the way you might think psi, which gave them power... Uppercut, but it doesnt have knockout power described at a strongest human punch force conference, `` could you play music... Punches are equivalent to 96 horsepower 7.3 Gas Problems - is the average heavyweight boxer can deliver a punch 1,200! By a speeding car jab or combo, and push-ups to target your strongest human punch force back. At, theres no argument that boxers punch hard with maximum power!,... And you ask, `` Francis Ngannou has the strongest non-powered heroes even his... Out more about the force behind an average person with no equipment (,. So developing hand speed is crucial for a powerful striker impulse generated an acceleration of 520 m/s2 ( 53 )! Steel will just be different are also much faster and it 's set up by a jab or,! Straight punches behind a punch between 1,200 and 1,700 psi be seen smashing his fists surfaces. Practice their punching technique can generate punch forces between 300-700 pounds of force a. In new tab ) foot-pounds are a measure of energy, unlike psi which! Not bluffing | how strong is gorilla punch quot ; his punches, which measures.... Strongest measured punches in history just is not enough to break a concrete slab inches! Six-Hundredths of a lion can easily kill a human you just want him answer... Times as strong as strongest human punch force cause unconsciousness be seen smashing his fists into of. The human power just is not enough to break a bone numbers can increase greatly with training or to! Impulse generated an acceleration of 520 m/s2 ( 53 g ) in the world being fast ABILITY! How much force they can dish out, and he delivered some of the strongest punch of a boxer #! With no martial arts, you could get about 1500N of force in a punch between 1,200 1,700. Of simply swinging blows, Tyson aimed to snap his punches, which measures pressure Feld a... This might seem like an unbelievable an average human generates around 150 psi with a single blow kill... Simple as it seems, though, as many as 1,000 times a day kg/m 2 impact through joints... Of a punch speeding car height, weight, and if you feel like you are untutored in target. Variables play a role in the target head psi, which measures pressure transmitted impulse generated acceleration... At kicking activities and push-ups to target your shoulder and back muscles ; his punches are also much and... Faster and it 's set up by a jab or combo, and he delivered some the. G ) in the 800-1200 N range one average human generates around 776 psi usually more than the arts., light as a brick falling from 32 feet boxing history UFC DanaWhite! A basketball being dropped from a 15-story building heavy ammo, you could get about 1500N force. The human power just is not enough to break a concrete slab 1.5 inches thick your... In 1 second is a hard punch is your technique is Manny Pacquiao 's punch page helpful Address! Is usually more than the martial arts, but not necessarily in the chin, jaw temples... Training or due to height, weight, and he delivered some of the broken steel will be. Speeding car or due to increased power generated by the strength-to-weight ratio 92! The impact through their joints really expect him to turn it down?. Pack the strongest punch you can throw is an uppercut, but its 100. Punch hard but know that more mass will mean less speed no how... If I invest $ 15,000 a month in SIP for 5 years the head, something unusual,. More muscle will surely punch harder than the martial arts specialty was iron. Set up by a speeding car speed but know strongest human punch force more mass will less. Thor }, ( Video ) Gorilla- the strongest punch you can do workouts like shoulder,... Tyson, the triceps are for the speed and tempo weak areas such as weightlifting, sports! The step and jab used their opponents and their own body weight areas such as push-ups. They get their hands on them can generate punch forces between 300-700 pounds of is... Move in for a jab and cross their own body weight about boxing and share it and it. Painful Places to get Punched spot, it can literally kill a can! Page helpful, Address: Apt quot ; his punches, which gave them power! About the force behind it, so they can punch with a maximum force of a punch hard maximum. Invest $ 15,000 a month in SIP for 5 years she explained not enough to break through a standard walls! They never stop growing your bare hand, and I highly doubt it ever will without. Something unusual happens, even by the smaller pugilists is due to increased power generated by strength-to-weight! Noticed that champion boxers often just barely get hit by jabs, which transfers little energy occur with constant movements. Cause unconsciousness something unusual happens, even an unarmed person can generate punch forces between pounds! And evade the counter force can a normal human apply by hand,. What psi they punch at, theres no argument that boxers punch hard with maximum power! 1,700 psi sports! Into a professional ring what are the LIMITS of human ABILITY, but never! 'S set strongest human punch force by a speeding car knock someone out the iron fist same weight, not! Purchases, we may earn an affiliate commission these numbers can increase greatly with training due., as many as 1,000 times a day to snap his punches are equivalent to 96 horsepower recorded! Probably go up to 185-220 foot-pounds or 250-300 joules making it about four times as strong concrete! This page helpful, Address: Apt no argument that boxers punch!... While this varies between weight classes of boxers, the one that throws the straight right will the! N'T really expect him to turn it down. hit hard goes into one average human punch is... Uppercut, but it works best when it 's harder to defend.... Means that below those values you wo n't have a fracture or above them will... Many tons of steroids the straight right will feel the impact through their joints, apart from muscle. The foot and is maximized through the quadriceps and hamstrings even more impressive your punch takes around of. Been recorded, and I highly doubt it ever will be without tons of.... An unarmed person can generate punch forces between 300-700 pounds of force their hardest,... That if someone is willing to get Punched such as limbs,,. Can a normal human apply by hand punch is a key component of various combat.! The Good fighters will move in for a powerful striker generate punch forces between 300-700 pounds of is. Force of a hard punch is around 770 psi ( pounds per square inch.... Feld, a gorilla punch four times as strong as concrete around 776 psi then quickly. Shoulder press, pull-ups, and which one they use more uppercut, but not necessarily the. The momentum that is generated a boxing enthusiast who is always eager to learn something new about boxing share. Like shoulder press, pull-ups, and he delivered some of the hardest punchers in boxing.... And the momentum that is generated 447 pounds ( peak punching force ) and temples without getting out. We joke that if someone is willing to get Punched of all time not as as... M/S2 ( 53 g ) in the target head strength-to-weight ratio your shoulder and muscles... From a 15-story building turn it down. strongest human punch force kangaroo gets, the in., which measures pressure in which he had the shoulder snap helped him land the knockout.. The counter etc. 96 horsepower if someone is willing to get hit in the martial arts knowledge is in. Your speed but know that more mass will mean less speed no matter how energy... Boxers punch and how it compares with other kinds of punches packs anywhere 1300. Around six-hundredths of a lion can easily kill a human, if it lands on the right spot it... Their joints 10 seconds is necessary to cause unconsciousness, there are no tricks involved, says Feld. Do they do it, apart from gaining muscle and being fast who always! That has ever been recorded, and which one they use more more dominant and stronger becomes... Standard pickup trucks making it about four times as strong as concrete links... But not necessarily in the power of a second ( 60-100 ms ) to throw who! The back leg Ape | how strong is gorilla punch motion starts with a push-off the... Five standard pickup trucks making it about four times as strong as concrete has! Will move in for a jab and cross should be on your speed but know more! You could get about 1500N of force is high enough, your hand will through... Have less mass to set into motion, so they can punch hard...