If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan but never the goal.
New Year New Me! This is something that Gym owners all over the world hear throughout January with people trying to work off that last bit of Turkey or Ham that they spent the Christmas holidays filling their happy faces with, and lets be honest we’re all guilty of this, I know I am. If this is, you and you’re looking for a quick fix for January and are not looking to continue training this blog may not be for you. If however MMA or Combat sports is something you are looking to get into as a regular source of training then the most common question is “What type of training gear do I need?” and the simple answer is it depends, as there are different disciplines in mixed martial arts, so whether you are looking to do striking, wrestling, or Jiu-Jitsu you will require a different set of equipment for each code of combat.
Like any other sport, combat sports training requires specific equipment, this is largely to protect yourself from injuries or cuts during what can become tough training sessions (after all you are having hand to hand combat with another human being).
Below Alpha Caveman Apparel will outline the essential fight gear and fight wear that you should look to purchase before starting your combat sports training, to give you the best opportunity to stay injury free.
1. Boxing / MMA Gloves
Gloves are a very important part of your MMA gear attire. What type of glove and what kind of quality you choose is important as well which is why Alpha Caveman work tirelessly to provide the best gloves on the market for both protection & support. You will want to consider at least two pairs, if not three. One pair you would want is a standard boxing glove 14-16 oz for bag and pad training. This glove would not be best for sparring though, a softer, lighter glove would need to be used. There are different types of boxing gloves available for sparring, training and competition. They are commonly available in 10oz, 12oz, 14oz and 16oz weights depending on the weight class of the person using it. Although in MMA the boxing glove is only used for training, in competition the MMA glove is used which are smaller in size, ranging from 4oz to 8oz.
2. Gum Shield
The only gear that is used to protect your mouth and teeth, besides your hands, is your mouth guard so your gum shield is an essential piece of equipment that all levels of fighters need, whether it is training or competition. A mouth guard is designed to minimize dental fractures, jaw injuries and head trauma from strikes to the face which is a lot more prevalent in people who go into sparring sessions whether its MMA, Boxing or Jiu-Jitsu. When choosing your Gum Shield especially if its your first time wearing one then comfort is a must, the right mouthguard must feel comfortable in your mouth. You don’t want to wear something that makes you feel uneasy. Tear-resistant: Your mouthguard should not break or tear away on the slightest of pressure. It should be strong enough to absorb and falls and keep your teeth protected.
3. MMA Shorts
MMA Shorts is an essential part of mixed martial arts apparel which are designed to give unrestricted movements and comfort during striking whilst maintaining peak performance when rolling around in mats. There are many styles of MMA shorts such as classic MMA shorts, Vale Tudo & Grappling shorts so again we would always say you need to pick what is comfortable for you and offer you and your body shape the flexibility & mobility you need to train and compete. Range of motion is everything when it comes to martial arts, and a good pair of MMA shorts will allow you to be fully mobile, ready to kick and sprawl whenever needed. Most MMA shorts have a slit on each side to allow for various range of motion, this would include side kicks, roundhouse kicks, knees, basically any form of strike you can think of MMA shorts will have you covered, literally. The last thing you want is to be restricted from something as trivial as your shorts.
4. Rash Guards
Rash Guards or compression tops are a great piece of MMA training gear to get, especially if your focus is grappling, They come in short or long sleeve, catering for both mens & womens sizes and are a great aid in protecting the skin from cuts or abrasions during grappling sessions, Jiu-Jitsu or MMA sessions. Rash Guards have become a stalwart of combat gyms all over the world as they hey protect the skin better than a normal t-shirt with the aid of sweat wicking materials that also helps evaporate the sweat away.
5. Shin Guards
If you are new to MMA, you will probably not need to worry about purchasing shin guards. They are used as protection, not only for your shin and foot bones, but also as a protective padding for what you are kicking. Many training sessions are done using a live sparring partner and these will reduce injury to both you & your training partner. As the frequency and intensity of your training & sparring increases, It is highly advised that all competitors invest in a high-quality pair of shin guards which are as durable as they are comfortable. The main focus of a shin guard is to protect the soft tissues and bones in the lower extremities from external impact. Shin guards provide shock absorption and facilitate energy dissipation, thereby decreasing the risk of serious injuries.
6. Groin Cups
The Crown Jewels, lets just say, If you know you know that even the smallest touch in that area can send the toughest competition into a crumpled heap on the mats writhing in pain. One of the most valuable and essential piece of training equipment for mixed martial arts is the groin guard or known as groin protector or groin cups, in fact MMA fighters are required to wear cups as part of their standard uniform when fighting in competition as the groin protector can protect you from serious injuries to your sensitive areas in the lower body.
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