10 Essential MMA Gear to Start Training – Expert Guide
Gear To Start Training In MMA
Are you considering starting Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) training but feeling uncertain about the necessary gear?
If so, you’ve landed on the right page! In this article, we will discuss the top 10 essential gear items for beginners who are looking to join an MMA club.
By following this guide, you can ensure you have the necessary equipment to begin your MMA training journey with confidence.
Let’s kick things off by providing you with ten essential items that you will need to start training in MMA. Get ready to gear up!
MMA Gloves
It’s a given that if you want to train in MMA, you’ll need a pair of MMA gloves. These gloves are designed with padding to protect your hands while keeping your fingers and thumbs exposed for grappling.
MMA gloves are essential for hitting heavy bags and mitts and for sparring in MMA gloves. Typically weighing four to six ounces, they are available in various styles, brands, and features. If you plan to compete in MMA fights in the future, it’s crucial to invest in a good-quality pair of gloves.
Boxing Gloves
Besides MMA gloves, boxing gloves are also necessary for MMA training. Unlike MMA gloves, boxing gloves have thick padding and cover the entire hand and wrist.
Boxing gloves are primarily used for sparring, providing both training partners with maximum protection. They are available in different sizes, but we recommend getting 16-ounce gloves for extra protection.
Using heavier boxing gloves can also help to improve your arm and shoulder strength during training.
Mouth Guard
A mouth guard is essential for MMA training as it protects your teeth and gums from impact. While a cheap mold-to-mouth model may suffice initially, eventually invest in a better quality fitted mouth guard for optimal protection.
Always wear a mouth guard during grappling or sparring since sudden shots could accidentally chip your teeth.
Additionally, it’s essential to protect your groin area during training with a high-quality cup designed to withstand hard kicks, no exceptions! We understand the importance of protecting sensitive areas. Our recommendation is the Diamond MMA groin guard for maximum protection.
Shin Guards
Shin guards are a fundamental part of your MMA gear and primarily protect your sparring partner during training sessions. By wearing shin guards, you can avoid painful shin-to-shin collisions that can result in injuries.
Quality shin guards offer complete protection for your shins and can also cover your feet, safeguarding small bones. While it’s crucial to keep your shins conditioned, it’s imperative to wear shin guards during intense sparring sessions to ensure the safety of your training partners. By doing so you demonstrate a responsible and professional approach to MMA training.
MMA Short
MMA shorts are essential training gear available in many styles, colors, and materials. MMA apparel experts have meticulously studied the needs of MMA athletes, resulting in a vast array of shorts to suit every individual. With numerous brands specializing in MMA shorts, you are spoilt for choice.
They’re designed to be lightweight, flexible, and durable. MMA shorts are capable of withstanding the rigors of intense MMA training. As a professional athlete, choosing shorts that offer optimum comfort and allow for freedom of movement is vital.
For instance, I have used the Jaco Resurgence MMA shorts and can vouch for their flexibility, perfect fit, and comfort during training. By investing in quality MMA shorts, you can enhance your training experience and perform at your best.
MMA Rashguard
When starting your MMA training, you may use any t-shirt or singlet as training attire, but to improve your experience, enhance your comfort, and improve your performance, investing in an MMA Rashguard is highly recommended.
A Rashguard is a compression wear top that comes in a singlet, t-shirt, and long-sleeve forms, designed to make grappling more comfortable by keeping your body cool and preventing toes and fingers from getting caught during rolling.
There are various brands and styles of Rashguards to choose from, ensuring that you will find the perfect fit for your needs. For example, I prefer the Bad Boy Rash Guards, but there’re many other excellent options available on the market.
By selecting a high-quality Rashguard, you can train more efficiently, reduce the risk of injuries, and elevate your MMA game.
Hand Wraps
Hand wraps are an indispensable component of your MMA gear as they offer unparalleled protection for your hands. Simply wearing gloves is inadequate to safeguard your hands from injuries. Although you decide if you train without wraps, we strongly recommend purchasing them, as they are inexpensive and provide critical support to your hands, reducing the risk of injuries such as sprains and fractures.
As someone who has undergone rigorous training, I suggest prioritizing hand wraps early in your training. When learning to throw punches correctly and delivering powerful strikes on curved mitts, it’s all too easy for your wrist or hand to give in, which can sideline you from training for an extended period. Therefore, investing in hand wraps is crucial to ensure optimal protection and uninterrupted training.
MMA-Specific Gear Bag
If you are wondering how to transport all of your MMA gear to training, fret not. While seasoned athletes may have encountered this issue, beginners should invest in a specialized gear bag for MMA equipment.
An MMA gear bag is a practical solution for carrying all of your gear to and from training with ease. With a range of brands and styles to choose from, you can select a bag that suits your specific needs and preferences. Investing in an MMA gear bag ensures that you have a convenient and hassle-free method for transporting all of your necessary equipment.
Defense Soap
Defense soap is one of the most critical components of MMA gear that should not be overlooked. Proper protection and hygiene measures are essential during training, but they’re also vital following training, safeguarding against infections such as staph. It’s not uncommon for infections to spread in training environments, as their consequences can be menacing.
As someone who’s trained in various locations, I have experienced firsthand the importance of using defense soap. In one instance, I contracted a severe staph infection after grappling on poorly maintained mats. What started as an innocuous ingrown hair quickly turned into a debilitating abscess that required surgery and months of recovery before I could resume training.
I recommend using defense soap as a post-training routine to minimize the risk of infections. A good scrub with this soap in your shower or bath can go a long way in protecting yourself. So, if you’re serious about MMA training, don’t forget to include defense soap as an essential part of your gear.
If you found this information helpful, please share this article and feel free to add any other crucial items that you believe are necessary for starting MMA training.
