equipment

No matter what style of martial arts you’re participating in, you’ll need some type of gear to enhance and complement your ability to train effectively and efficiently. Keep in mind that the more the martial arts gear costs does not mean it is automatically the best piece of equipment for you.
Safety concerns should be at the top of the list when deciding on suitable martial arts gear, so as to protect yourself and your partner from injury. Do a little bit of research and don’t base your decision solely on equipment costs.
There are many different martial arts disciplines that require a whole array of equipment. Let us focus on the main pieces that are needed to participate in most styles. In the end, it is a matter of getting the correct equipment that is required for the kind of training and drilling you are going to be doing.
Gear Basics:
Mouth Piece
The mouthpiece will protect your teeth from a direct hit and prevent a tooth from cutting the inside of your lip. Stick with a mouth piece that will fit snug to both the top and bottom rows of teeth. The mold should be tight enough to make it a little difficult to take off.
Protective Cup
A needed item for men that should be chosen for the specific sport they are playing. Martial artist want to get a tucked-under contoured cup to offer the best protection from stray punches and kicks.
Uniform
The Kimono (GI) is the common uniform worn by most styles with a belt to signify the rank of the student. Other uniform alternatives are plain shorts and an academy rash guard or T-shirt. Most styles require no footwear or the use of shoes that are made to be worn on a soft mat surface. All uniforms should be kept clean and free of rips and tears.
Gloves
Gloves come in average sizes and can range from 4 oz (MMA) up to 20 oz (Boxing). You want to have a glove that fits tight and doesn’t allow your hand to move around. Pick the appropriate glove for the style of training and invest in hand wraps to aid in the prevention of injury to the wrists.
Shin Guards
Leg padding focuses on the shin area where most of the contact is made with a kick. Pads have different thicknesses and some will cover the top of the foot as well as the front of the leg. Shin pads use straps or a sleeve to hold the padding in place.
This list covers the principal pieces of martial arts gear required in the students daily training. All protective gear helps to make training effective and safe.
The gear you’ll need can be purchase at the academy your training at, in any chain sporting goods stores, or online through a reputable site. Choose martial arts gear that is appropriate for the style of training and gives the best level of protection. Make training fun with the right choice in gear.…