Mixed Martial Arts can be an invigorating and exhilarating sport. Of course, it comes with its share of injuries.
Whether you are new to the world of MMA or a seasoned pro, sports injuries are all too common. However, wearing certain safety gear can help prevent injuries and damage.
Ankle supports can protect a vulnerable part of your body during training sessions or warm-ups. In this guide, we will tell you whether you can wear ankle supports in MMA and how they can help.
Read on to find out more.
Can You Wear Ankle Supports In MMA?
In short, the answer is yes. Not only are you allowed to wear them, but many trainers will encourage you to put on ankle supports during warm-ups, stretching sessions, and training in MMA.
Your ankles are an extremely vulnerable area that you cannot protect with regular training shoes. Furthermore, any soft injury to this area can end up causing intense damage and can even tear the ligaments and joints.
Even minor injuries to the ankles can cause you to be incapacitated for weeks – or until it heals entirely. Not just that, the pain from an ankle injury can radiate up to your calves and legs, causing more damage in the long run.
To protect yourself from such injuries, you need to invest in the best ankle supports to wear during training sessions.
How Can Ankle Supports Help In MMA?
You might be wondering how ankle supports can help you during MMA practice and whether you should invest in a good pair or not. Let us tell you some of the primary benefits of wearing ankle supports –
1. They Limit Certain Motions
MMA practice involves a lot of complex movements with your body and feet. Movements such as striking, sparring, and other actions with the feet and legs are essential for the training process.
However, since the ankle area is exceptionally soft and vulnerable, a slight wrong movement may end up causing a lot of internal damage. In rare cases, it may be that the injury has taken place, but you aren’t entirely aware of it, so you continue practising. Once you get home, the pain begins radiating and gets worse over time.
Leaving the area untreated can cause irreparable damage to not just the ankle but the entire foot or leg. Fortunately, ankle supports can help limit certain motions that may otherwise end up injuring the soft ankle area.
It is essential to find suitable material for your ankle supports to limit certain movements but do not restrict your training process. Breathable, stretchable, medium-density Neoprene is an example of high-quality material that you can consider.
2. They Provide Stability And Support To The Area
As we mentioned earlier, MMA training requires you to practice a whole set of complex movements. However, without the proper support and stability to your ankle area, you can easily end up twisting it or causing other damage.
Once this occurs, you will not be able to train for weeks and wait for the area to heal. To prevent this from happening, it is best to look for ankle supports that provide comfort, are stretchable, and provide additional support to the area, so you don’t twist it. Furthermore, it may also enhance power and movement during MMA training.
3. They Reduce The Risk Of Injury
Sports injuries are extremely common and almost unavoidable. Most sportspeople have sustained some minor (or major) injury while playing or training.
However, you don’t need to give in to the inevitable. Opting for high-quality ankle supports can help reduce the chance of injury to your ankles and feet. So, even if you end up hurting yourself during a hard training session, the injury sustained will not be as bad or difficult to treat.
How To Find The Best Ankle Supports For MMA?
When looking for the best ankle supports to use during MMA practice, look for a comfortable fit. If the ankle support is too loose or too tight, it might end up causing more damage (in case you slip while wearing them).
You should also look for high-quality breathable materials which can stretch to fit your foot and ankle size. And finally, once you narrow down the choices, consider their prices and your budget before choosing the best one.
Choosing Your Ankle Supports
Most top trainers will recommend you to wear ankle supports during MMA, so ensure that you invest in a good pair.
While there are plenty of options online and in retail stores, it is best to test out a couple of them while training before choosing the best one. This might take some time, but the process is worth it and will save you from injury.
For help purchasing ankle supports, speak to our team. Our friendly experts can assist you in picking the perfect pair!
You can also check out our complete guide to Muay Thai apparel and equipment for more information on MMA gear!
Well, that’s all for now. Take care and happy training!
