MMA Training Gear: The Essentials

Curious about MMA training gear and the essentials needed to help you get started? Safety is the most important thing when doing mixed martial arts, and learning about the essential MMA training gear can keep you safe from injury. MMA is a full-contact sport, and without the proper training gear an injury is more likely to occur. Learning about the necessary safety gear is the first step for successful MMA training. This knowledge will help you build confidence, discipline, learn self-defense and keep you in shape.

1. Your headgear. The head and face area can be protected by wearing headgear, which is the most important piece of MMA training gear when you practice sparring (fighting). Different types of headgear are available, but all protect the back of the head, the ears and the forehead. Ventilation holes are placed around the headgear, which either come with an elastic strap or padding around the chin.
2. A mouth guard. A mouth guard is an essential piece of MMA training gear. It protects your gums and teeth from the impact of a punch. Mouth guards have advanced in technology, and have many different options, including breathing panels, colors, flavors that can last up to two years and shock absorbing jaw pads. Certain mouth guards are customized for fighters with braces and come with a boiling handle for custom fit.
3. Hand wraps. Hand wraps protect your hands during MMA fighting, but more specifically your wrists, thumbs, hand bones and tendons. Coming in a variety of sizes, styles, colors and functions (disposable or reusable), hand wraps are one piece of MMA training gear that should not be skimped out on. Hand wraps have to fit under your gloves, and different styles include cotton herringbone wraps, elasticized wraps and gauze bandages.
4. Training gloves. Talk to your trainer about which type of glove works best for the type of MMA training you will be receiving. Sparring gloves have more finger mobility because of the open-finger design. Although sparring gloves give a more real fight experience, they have less padding, which could hurt your partner. Boxing gloves come in different sizes which are dependent on the amount of padding. Once again, the more padding, the less likely you are to hurt your partner.
5. A shin-instep guard. During training and sparring, shin-instep guards are important pieces of protective MMA training equipment. They should fit snugly and not slide or twist around your leg when you are throwing kicks. The best way to protect your shins during training is to use lightweight shin guards that are gel laced, which will absorb the impact from kicks.
6. A rash guard. During MMA training you will sweat a lot, so a rash guard is an essential piece of gear to cut down on the spread of disease and skin conditions. Rash guards will absorb your sweat, not rip and help prevent your partner's sweat from touching your skin.
7. A jump rope. The simple yet essential jump rope helps warm up your body before training while building endurance. The jump rope is essential to MMA training and helps with cardiovascular conditioning. It can easily be used at home or in the gym. Training with a jump rope will help make a difference in your stamina, strength and speed.
8. A medicine ball. Another piece of training gear is the medicine ball, which helps you develop rotational power, balance and control. Your knock-out power can come from using a medicine ball, which allows you to work in the rotational and diagonal planes of motion. A medicine ball can be used indoors, outside, at home or in the gym.