MMA Beginner Gear Guide
If you are an MMA beginner or perhaps just considering getting started, we have compiled a gear guide that can provide you with a checklist for everything you'll get going with mixed martial arts. While not a fully comprehensive list, this guide will provide you with the bare eseentials.
Must Haves
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Rash Guards
Rash guards that wick away moisture are a must for grappling, jiu jitsu and wrestling. Wearing a t-shirt won’t cut it because you are going to be soaking up both your sweat and others’ sweat while you're rolling. And believe me; nothing is grosser than smelling like someone else's sweat after a few hours of heavy training.
Other drawbacks of cotton t-shirts include the fact that they rip easily and also that their absorption of wetness can foster the spread of disease and skin conditions.
Long sleeve rash guards are preferable because they leave less skin area exposed and can reduce chances of contracting skin to skin conditions like ringworm, herpes or staph infections.
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Grappling Shorts
Grappling shorts made out of a lightweight and quick drying material such as nylon or polyester are a must. Your old basketball or workout shorts will absorb too much moisture so don’t even think about it.
In some instances you can substitute a pair of surfing board shorts; however often times these have snaps, laces and Velcro that can harm your opponent if they rub across their face or eyes when in the north/south position. Additionally, the “cut” of these will probably not be conducive to kicking if you’re training striking, most real MMA shorts are cut wider in the legs or have slit sides to enable mobility and flexibility.
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Boxing Gloves
On a day to day basis you will probably do most of your sparring using traditional boxing gloves. You should buy at least 16 once gloves. If you buy gloves that are lighter you are putting your sparring partners’ health in jeopardy as there will be less padding to cushion your blows to their head. |
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Hand Wraps
In order to protect your hands you’ll need to wrap your hands. The goal of wrapping your hands is to protect the fragile and small bones in your hands while also providing you with some wrist support. Having more than 1 set of wraps is advantageous as you’ll have to be less diligent about your laundering of them. |
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Shin Guards
If you’re doing full contact sparring you need a pair of muay thai style shin guards. In recent years there have been some improvements to shin guards that help them stay on during transitions to grappling, these are also a good choice. |
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Mouth Guard
Mouth guards are usually optional for grappling, but they are absolutely mandatory for striking, even when just doing drills. If you are training for an upcoming competition, then you should always have your mouthpiece in as it will condition you to function with hindered breathing just like as it will in a real fight. |
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Groin Protector
Groin protectors are essential for striking and in particular kickboxing as it is very easy to catch an errant kick to the groin. Many grapplers also wear cups as it is very easy to take a knee to the groin when your opponent is trying to pass your guard. Other grappling positions like arm bars can also be uncomfortable without a cup. |
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Knee Pads
Knee pads are considered a “must have” for many striking coaches as it will save your sparring partners’ shins if you check their kicks with your knee. Additionally knee pads can be helpful if you’re doing repetitive practicing your wrestling shots (takedowns) when grappling. |
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Glove Dogs
If you want to prolong the life of your boxing gloves and reduce or eliminate their bad smell, then get a pair of glove dogs to help absorb moisture after your workouts. |
Optional Gear
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MMA Gloves
While not suited for everyday hard sparring, in order to simulate a real MMA fight you will need to practice with traditional open fingered 4 or 5 ounce MMA gloves. These open fingered gloves will allow you to flow seamlessly from striking to grappling and vice versa for true MMA training. |
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Jiu Jitsu Gi
If you are learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as part of your MMA training then many schools will require you to buy a gi. We have assembled a great gi buyer’s guide to help you make an informed decision. |
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Headgear
Headgear is probably not used as much as it should be, but it is a must if you are doing a lot of standup sparring on a consistent basis. Headgear can help you prevent concussions and headaches that can result from boxing and kick boxing. |
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Jump Rope
Most traditional muay thai and boxing instructors will emphasize warmups and condition using jump ropes. Jumping rope is a great way to gain endurance as well as learn to keep your feet moving. |
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