10 Performance-Enhancing Products Banned in Pro Sports — From Vision-Boosting Contacts to $400 Running Shoes, Here’s What Actually Works

From sticky gloves in the NFL to vision-enhancing contact lenses developed by Nike, some performance-boosting products walk the fine line between innovation and cheating.

A popular YouTube video recently put some of the most controversial banned products to the test—and the results were as fascinating as they were hilarious.

With the help of two athletic friends, Chris and Brownie, the video creator assessed banned items like weighted boxing gloves, spring-loaded bench suits, spring-coil shoes, and even oxygen-infused sports sprays.

So, are these items truly unfair advantages, or could some of them deserve a second look?

1. Weighted Boxing Gloves: Power Boost or Dangerous Weapon?

Boxing gloves that exceed the legal weight—by five times the standard 16-ounce glove—were the first to be tested. Using a power pad, the impact of regular gloves registered at 246, while the illegal gloves spiked to a massive 321.

Although the additional weight helped deliver stronger punches, testers immediately noticed the increased risk involved.

“You feel overpowered with this thing. It could be dangerous for sure,” said Chris after taking a hit with the banned gloves.

Verdict: Should stay banned for safety reasons.

2. Arm Wrestling Straps: Impossible to Lose?

Typical arm wrestling strategies involve breaking your opponent’s wrist angle to gain leverage. But wrist-assisting straps designed for competition made this virtually impossible.

Against trained opponents, the straps significantly altered the dynamics of the match—preventing wrist bending and forcing brute arm power only.

Verdict: Stay banned. The competitive imbalance they introduce is too great.

3. Power Balance Bracelets: Ban-worthy or Snake Oil?

These holographic wristbands claim to improve balance and performance—claims that even some professional athletes have bought into. However, they’ve been debunked several times as pseudoscience.

In a twist, the video creators pranked their friend Chris to believe the bracelet truly boosted balance and strength, only to reveal the joke later.

“It feels heavier… I feel stronger,” he claimed, before the big reveal.

Verdict: Not worth banning. They don’t work—as confirmed by science and the prank.

4. Bench Press Sling: Extra 100 Pounds Power?

The elastic bench shirt claims to add over 100 pounds to your lift. By creating a spring effect at the bottom of the press, it artificially shortens the range of motion.

When tested, participants didn’t have the base strength to utilize it fully—and the device caused enough discomfort that continuing felt unsafe.

Verdict: Stay banned. While effective at extreme weights, risks outweigh performance gains.

5. Super Shoes: Are Illegal Running Shoes Worth the Hype?

Banned long-distance shoes like the Adidas Adizero Prime X and Puma Fast-RB Elite have extra thick soles and multiple carbon plates, which are prohibited by World Athletics.

Despite all the tech, runners wearing them during the mile test actually ran slower than they did with standard shoes.

• Adizero Prime X: Two carbon plates, 10mm over height regulation
• Puma Fast-RB: Three plates, 18mm over regulation

Verdict: They didn’t help amateurs, but high-level runners may still gain an edge. Verdict: Debatable—but possibly legal if access is equal.

6. Pure Oxygen Spray: Legalized Doping?

Boost Oxygen Plus, a product that delivers pure oxygen, is illegal for in-game use in many sports because it enhances recovery speed and stamina artificially.

After sprinting, participants noticed they caught their breath notably faster with the oxygen spray.

“I feel less out of breath,” said one tester. “But I also feel lightheaded.”

Verdict: Stay banned unless universally available. Adds artificial edge during fatigue.

7. Spring-Loaded Jump Shoes: Literally Adding Inches

The next banned product was a pair of shoes allegedly capable of adding 4 inches to your vertical leap. Designed with 10 spring coils and a carbon plate, they clearly created a bounce effect.

In testing, the user visibly stayed in the air longer and reached a higher mark on the backboard compared to regular shoes.

“Even one inch can be the difference between a block or a dunk,” testers agreed.

Verdict: Ban justified. Adds measurable advantage.

8. Sticky Spray for NFL Gloves: From Catching to Clutching

Stickum spray—banned by the NFL since the 1980s—makes catching a football as easy as Velcro. Used by NFL legend Fred Biletnikoff and others before it was prohibited, Stickum remains controversial for wide receivers seeking a grip advantage.

After using the spray, the YouTube testers noticed a dramatic difference, catching balls mid-air with ease—even one-handed.

“If NFL pros used this, it would be chaos,” said Charles, a wide receiver for UCLA brought in to test it.

Verdict: Deserves the ban. The grip advantage is undeniable.

9. Nike MaxSight Contacts: Are They Really Cheating?

These high-contrast, tinted contact lenses reduce glare and enhance motion tracking. Previously tested by professional quarterbacks like Matt Leinart and even Olympians, Nike’s MaxSight lenses were quietly banned from the NFL due to concerns about competitive fairness.

Chris and Brownie immediately noticed visual enhancements during daytime drills. Targets were easier to spot—even with the sun overhead.

“I don’t have to squint. I’m looking straight at the sky,” said one tester during a pass-catching trial.

Verdict: Possibly unnecessary to ban. Comparable to visors, and less potent than presumed.

Final Thoughts: When Does Innovation Cross the Line?

Most banned sports products are restricted for a reason—either they create an unfair performance edge, pose a safety risk, or undermine the integrity of competition. However, some items like advanced vision tech and ultra-cushioned footwear may only benefit elite-level users and don’t guarantee better results across the board.

At the heart of this ongoing debate lies one question: Should performance come down to pure skill, or can technology have a fair place on the field?

As testing continues and tech evolves, don’t be surprised if some of these bans are revisited. Until then, training hard and playing fair remain the safest bets for success.