I TRAIN IN MARTIAL ARTS OR BOXING REGULARLY
You have the bug, you’ve got past the beginner stages and are now transitioning through your martial arts or fight sports journey. Chances are you have some ideas about what equipment is good for you and which brands you like, perhaps which brands you do not.
This is the stage where you are probably getting a little more serious. IF you bought cheaper equipment as a beginner, chances are you are now thinking it's time to upgrade and potentially expand your fight gear inventory.
I Train boxing, muay thai or kickboxing
ESSENTIAL UPGRADES!
Boxing Gloves
This is the obvious upgrade for any boxer or kickboxer. If you bought cheap gloves in your first 12 months then upgrading to a quality sparring glove is a must.
MMA Gloves
Only applicable if you are doing MMA, Quality MMA Sparring gloves will become a must!
Shin guards
If you bought cheap shin guards or worse no shin guards as a beginner then it's time to invest in good quality shin protection.
Head Guards
Boxers consider headguards a piece of essential kit. Consider a quality sparring head guard or even steel bar type if you are sparring regularly and keep your teeth and brain in tact!
READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON UPGRADING YOUR FIGHT KIT HERE
FIGHT GEAR TIPS
Tip #1 - Different gloves for different purposes
Once you are out of the beginner stage then it’s worthwhile considering at least two pairs of gloves. One pair of gloves should be for general class use, bags, pads, drills, probably 10 or 12 ounces and the other only for sparring and technical drills with a partner, 14, 16 or 18 ounces. READ FULL ARTICLE
Tip#2 - Heavier sparring requires better levels of protection
It might seem obvious but as you move up the ranks you will be wishing to do more sparring and this will inevitably lead to more impact to target areas in your sport.
Tip #3 - Pricing is not always the best indicator of quality.
Review materials used, the brand reputation and who is really using this gear in the industry!
DON'T FORGET OUR FULL BLOG ARTICLE & GUIDES SECTION - CLICK HERE
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & MMA (Grappling)
DOUBLE UP ON YOUR JIU JITSU TRAINING GEAR
If you are doing BJJ and you made it past the beginners course or first few months then chances are you have the bug and are training more and more regularly. The simple fact is you will need some extra training wear. 2 gi's, 2 rashguards etc
Many clubs offer a very cheap gi to get started in which doesn’t feel great or fit great, some do, some don’t. Either way you will want a second one, maybe even two if you are training 3 or more times a week.
GRAPPLING GEAR TIPS
Tip #1 - Second Gi
A second gi should be mid range and up. Go for 450Gsm or higher and get something that is a training gi such as the REVGEAR Huntington or Fuji All Around. Check out our video on BJJ Gi’s here.
Tip #2 - Washing Your Gi's
Washing and mores to the point drying gi’s is difficult, especially in colder climates where hanging them outside becomes a waste of time from November through till April. This makes a. second gi almost essential when training more than once a week!
