What Equipment Is Needed for Martial Arts?
Martial arts is a general term that encompasses a wide variety of activities ranging from boxing to MMA fighting. With that said, there are many different types of equipment that you should get your hands on to have a safe and productive time training or in a class. Martial arts is a fantastic way to improve your physical capabilities as well as your mental strength, as long as you have the right tools for your job.
Necessary Martial Arts Equipment
As each sport has its specific tools for the job, we’ll get into the general details of the type of equipment you should keep an eye out for. With these tools, you’ll be better prepared to tackle any training you could be faced with; however, we also recommend investing in specialty pieces depending on the sport you’re doing, for example, getting special shoes for boxing.
1. Uniform
First and foremost, it is highly likely that you need to invest in a uniform, especially when it comes to Martial arts.
Compared to other methods of training and exercise, most forms of martial arts will require a uniform, such as jiu-jitsu, judo, and karate. However, when it comes to sports such as boxing, you might be able to be a little more lenient with your wardrobe and opt for items you likely wear to the gym.
It’s essential to do some background research into the type of martial arts you’re interested in getting into, so you can know what you’re responsible for getting before your first training session. For example, if you’re training MMA, you’ll want to wear grappling shorts, whereas you’ll surely need to invest in a dobok for Tae Kwon Do.
You’ll also find that with many sports, a uniform isn’t only a requirement, but essential for movement and safety. A great example would be with MMA, as you wouldn’t want to wear sweatpants while grappling with an opponent on the ground.
2. Protective Gear
On the same vein as wearing safe uniforms for your desired form of martial arts, let’s discuss protective gear since it’s incredibly essential.
Even though you will want to put your entire mind and body into your sport, you certainly won’t want to put it in harm’s way, which is where protective gear comes into play. Every athlete requires it, from football to boxing, especially as martial arts are an incredibly physically demanding area of sports.
Again, it is vital to consider the type of training you’re doing to make sure you have the appropriate protective equipment, but there are a few general examples that apply to most high-impact sports.
Mouth Guard
Especially with boxing and MMA, mouth guards are an invaluable resource that protects not only your teeth but also your tongue and your jaw. These unique devices are typically fitted to the specific shape of your mouth to ensure you aren’t likely to chip a tooth or accidentally bite through your tongue when you are hit. Mouthguards are even essential in other high-impact sports such as hockey and football.
Body Guards
There are different types of body guards that you can invest in, such as the ankle, shin, and instep guards, that can protect the bottom half of your body from injury. Depending on the type of sport you’re training in and the level of intensity you’d like to be at, these guards can help to protect you against sprains, breaks, and even bruises. Plenty of professional athletes, though, prefer to avoid wearing these types of guards while training since they suggest it can affect their movements.
Head Guards
Especially for boxing, head guards are a necessary piece of equipment, especially if you are an amateur. You can guarantee that if professionals wear them while in the ring, you’ll want to wear one when you’re training with a partner or a professional trainer.
Head guards operate similarly to helmets in the sense that they lessen the likelihood of incurring severe damage from strikes and punches. That said, head guards aren’t a cure-all approach to getting hit in the head, as many professional boxers still experience concussions and life-changing injuries from head strikes. You will also need to ensure you are training safely and following the specifications of your trainer to avoid injury.
Wraps
Whether it be for your feet or hands, wraps are likely the most popular type of martial arts gear, and you’ll find that participants will either wear them on their own or under gloves. Wraps allow you to reinforce specific parts of your body, such as your wrists and your fingers, to prevent sprains and breaks with every strike. Some fighters prefer to wear wraps because they can put more power behind their movements.
Conclusion
Martial arts is a form of athleticism that requires a lot of dedication and motivation as well as the right equipment. As with any other sport, it is your responsibility to ensure you are sufficiently protected and prepared for every training session for your safety and the safety of others. Our guide is sure to help you get an idea of what type of equipment you will need for your first training session.
