Sunday, September 1, 2013

Gear You Need For MMA Training

By Nolan Barias


Taking a single class in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Muay Thai is great, and you probably don't really need a bunch of special gear. But if you want to really get serious about your mixed martial arts training, you do need to invest in same basic gear. However, with all the choices out there, it is important to select items that you will use consistently and not waste your money.

Your best investment will be the gym you choose. Select a gym that is serious about mixed martial arts, with instructors who have fought in professional bouts and are experts in their field. The gym should offer a variety of classes at one single monthly rate, so you can take everything from conditioning to boxing to Muay Thai and become a more well-rounded fighter.

As with any sport, wearing comfortable clothing that fits well is important. You can probably get away with fight shorts and a t-shirt, but you might want to invest in a rash guard, as well. Rash guards, which fit snuggly against the body, hold in sweat and also won't soak up the sweat of your opponent, so they are also more hygienic. In addition, a rash guard, because of its proximity to the body, won't tear as easily as a t-shirt. Your fight shorts should fit well and MMA shorts tie up snugly. Unlike boxing shorts, these also are designed with side slits to make movement easier.

Gloves are important protective gear and you probably will need two sets. One will be a pair of boxing gloves, and these will be used both in the ring, as well as for training with bags. MMA gloves also are important and there are many different kinds. You want to choose a comfortable pair that is not too stiff. Some gloves have thumb protection and others don't,and you probably will find that the thumb-less type make it easier to train and fight. Make sure the stitching is strong, as well, so that the glove can take the punishment of fighting.

Unless you enjoy being injured, you will need to invest in some type of shin guards. MMA guards are probably fine, and these types of shin coverings definitely allow for more freedom of movement. However, if Muay Thai is really your thing, you would be wise to purchase specially designed Muay Thai guards which protect the shin, as well as the kneecap, the ankle and the instep.

A mouthpiece and headgear are two other important items to consider. Any mouth guard will probably work, so this is an area where you don't have to spend a lot of money. In fact, you can probably find a perfectly good mouth guard for around $5. The headgear might not be necessary in the early days of training. However, as you begin sparring, it allows you to be a little more intense against an opponent with less risk of injury.

In addition, you will need to purchase some type of bag to carry everything, but this certainly doesn't need to be anything fancy. Just choose a bag that is large enough to carry all of your gear from home to the gym.




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