DribbleUp Smart Boxing App Review

In the early 2000s, I was big into kickboxing at my local gym. I considered it the best and most efficient workout around. I remember dragging my brother to a class. Even though he was in decent shape, he nearly passed out in the first ten minutes, and that was just the warm-up.

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When I moved from Manhattan to the suburbs, I gave up my gym membership and started my home gym journey. Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of fitness apps including Aaptiv, FitOn, FightCamp, Les Mills, Stealth Core Trainer, and my favorite, Peloton. But, I’ve been looking for the right boxing program to use at home.

Peloton added its own two-week boxing program in December 2021 but it’s still very limited.

Recently, I started adding DribbleUp workouts more to my weekly strength training. DribbleUp calls itself “an interactive virtual trainer.” It uses smart equipment to improve your skills and strength while giving you a fun workout. As a certified personal trainer, I share my thoughts.

What is DribbleUp?

DribbleUp is a fitness app that uses technology to track movements through its smart balls and now, smart boxing gloves. It requires an iPad, iPhone, or Android device.

To get started, scan your DribbleUp product (ball or gloves) into the view of your device’s camera. Once enabled, it counts repetitions and tracks your movements.

DribbleUp Smart Soccer and Basketballs

I first heard of DU when I saw an Instagram advertisement for its smart soccer ball. I knew it was the perfect gift for my soccer-playing son.

DribbleUp also sells smart basketballs.

Both allow you to either participate in live classes with a coach or practice drills using your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

DribbleUp Smart Medicine Ball

DribbleUp also sells smart medicine balls, either 6-pounds or 10-pounds. I have the 10-pound weight and try to use it a few times per week. Select classes to focus on your core, arms, legs, back, glutes, and more.

It works the same way as their soccer and basketballs in that it uses the technology of your device’s camera to track movements. You can practice drill or take live or on-demand classes.

DribbleUp Smart Boxing Gloves

I loved DribbleUp’s products so much, I reached out to them and asked if they had an affiliate program. They launched their Smart Boxing classes in the Fall of 2021 and sent me a pair of boxing gloves to review.

Where can you buy Dribble Up Smart Boxing Gloves?

While DribbleUp does sell its soccer ball on Amazon, they don’t sell any fitness products there. Plus, you’ll get a much better deal if you buy from the company directly. As of now, you can only buy the medicine ball and boxing gloves from the DribbleUp website.

How much do the DribbleUp smart boxing gloves cost?

The boxing gloves retail for $149.99. They occasionally go on sale. Click below to see the current price.

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Which accessories do you get with your smart boxing gloves order?

With your smart boxing order, you will receive:

• a set of boxing gloves
  • choose your glove size (12 oz for people with small to medium hands or 14 oz for people with larger hands)
  • one yellow glove for your right hand
  • one green glove for your left hand
• extendable tripod stand for your iPhone or Android device
• a carrying bag

What is the Smart Boxing System?

If you choose to purchase the smart boxing system, you will receive:

• a set of boxing gloves
• device stand
• carrying bag
• freestanding punching bag (base needs to be filled with sand)

Do you need the boxing bag?

Any of the boxing workouts can be done with or without the bag (called shadow boxing). The bag provides extra resistance and making contact with something could make your workout more satisfying.

DribbleUp boxing bag alternatives

If you decide you want a punching bag but don’t want to purchase the entire DribbleUP Smart Boxing System, here are some alternatives:

Short on space: Quiet Punch

This is a great choice if you’re short on space. Use the bungee cords to attach your bag to any doorway. You can purchase with or without sensors to track your punches. You’ll automatically save 10 percent if you order through my link.

Best budget punching bag: Protocol

For a great price, this bag comes with a stand and gloves (which you won’t need if you’re using DribbleUp). Fill this bag with sand or water. It gets great reviews. You can’t go wrong.

Best hanging boxing bag: Ringside

This is best for intermediate boxers. It comes pre-filled. But some say it’s like hitting cement. It has tons of positive reviews and a great price point.

For more about choosing the right boxing bag for you, check out this article from FightCamp.

DribbleUp Boxing Classes Review

DribbleUp launched its boxing classes in Fall 2021. They plan to add more classes.

You can choose from tutorials, drills, live, or on-demand classes.

Classes are sorted into the following categories:

• 10 minutes or less
• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Arms
• Full Body
• Cardio
• Boxing Bag

PROS: What I like about the DribbleUp boxing classes

I’m the biggest Peloton fan but yesterday, during a Peloton standing core class with Rebecca Kennedy, I found myself counting down the minutes until I could use the boxing gloves and try out another DribbleUp class.

1. boxing is both a cardio and strength exercise
2. they’re fun
3. in a short amount of time, I can feel the burn
4. it targets my core, arms, glutes, and legs
5. it requires focus and unlike other fitness classes, my mind doesn’t wander
6. does a great job at counting punches, probably better than any of their other fitness products
7. DribbleUp has an amazing online community: so positive and supportive. Be sure to follow them on Facebook.

CONS: What I don’t like about DU boxing

1. Need more live classes (I think they will increase as it gets more popular).
2. Want more shadow boxing classes (without the bag). While I know you don’t need to use a punching bag, I felt like I was missing out when not using it.
3. Although it tracks your punch count extremely well, it takes form less into account than their other products.
4. Would like an easier way to filter classes (by duration, with or without bag, level)
5. Longer classes (the longest class is just 20 minutes).
6. No way that I know of to connect a heartrate monitor to the app.

How do you start your boxing class?

Simply choose a class and tap your gloves together as pictured above. You will have a short introduction by an instructor. Then your image pops up below so you can follow their form. Each of your movements is tracked within the app.

You’re given a target metric. During each exercise, it will show your progression and how close you are to meeting your goal. There’s even a leaderboard to compare your stats to others who have taken the class.

If you take a live class, you will see how well you did in comparison to other live users.

How to Stream DribbleUp to a TV

You can use either:

• Chromecast
• Apple TV
• Roku
• HDMI lightning adapter

Note: I just use my phone.

Do you have to pay for a DribbleUp Membership?

The answer is yes and no.

Free Membership

You get a free 30-day membership with the purchase of any of the DribbleUp products. You can share a membership with up to 6 family members.

After the 30-days, you can choose to cancel your membership or lose access to their live and on-demand classes. You still have the ability to take their drills.

Paid Membership

The DribbleUp paid subscription costs $9.99 per month. With one membership, my son can use his smart soccer ball, my mom can use take classes (to whom I gifted a 6-pound medicine ball and does not live with me), and I can take both medicine ball and smart boxing classes.

You can’t beat the price and I feel like it’s more than worth the monthly charge. Note, you cannot pre-pay or do an annual membership. Your credit card will be charged every month.

How do you cancel a DribbleUp membership?

Both my mom and I have had a great customer service experience using DribbleUp’s online chat. I would recommend contacting them if you have any product or membership questions or issues.

How long does it take to receive your order?

I’ve now received three different shipments, and one for my mom. Each delivery took only a matter of days from placing the order.

Can you return or exchange your order?

Return

You have 30 days, no questions asked, to return your order to DribbleUp. So, you can try it out risk-free to see if it’s for you.

Exchange

Originally, I ordered the 10-pound medicine ball as a gift for my mother. She decided she would rather starter with the lighter 6-pound ball. Exchanging was easy. I had to let them know when I returned the heavier ball to USPS and then they sent me the replacement. She got the new ball just a couple of days later.

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Is DribbleUp worth buying?

Absolutely. One membership, just $10 per month, provides you access to all of DU’s live and on-demand classes. The DribbleUp boxing classes leave me huffing and puffing and definitely get my heart rate up. Honestly, it’s fun and doesn’t feel like working out.

If you want to try it out yourself, remember to use the link below to save 10% off your order.

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Have you tried out DribbleUp? I’d love to hear your thoughts below.