The trend of taking up combat sports has gained significant popularity over the past few years, mainly because of the massive health benefits.
There are various combat sports; some of the most popular ones are boxing, wrestling, and mixed martial arts. Now, you may want to practise them for various reasons, including defending yourself, making a career out of it, or improving overall fitness.
But, regardless of your motivation behind picking up the sport, you need to use proper protective gear to be safe while training and fighting. Otherwise, it may cause irreparable damage to your body.
This informative article will look at the types of protective gear you should use in combat sports. In most cases, the gear needed depends on the intensity of the training; however, specific equipment is necessary.
So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!
What Protective Gear Is Used In Combat Sports
Below is a list of all the protective gear you need in combat sports.
1. Gum Shield
While talking about protective gear, the first thing that may come to your mind is that shiny thing that sticks out of the boxer’s mouth while in the ring. Well, those are called gum shields.
The body heals itself with time, but teeth do not heal. That is why wearing a gum shield is mandatory when engaging in any combat sport.
This protective gear, often called a mouth guard, absorbs the shock and protects your teeth from heavy blows. Many sportspeople also believe it minimises concussions; however, it’s not true.
Professionals mainly go with customised mouth guards, which are a bit expensive. But if you are starting new, you might consider using boil-and-bite mouth guards as they are relatively cheap but still provide solid protection.
Long story short, ensure that you go with a brand that has a comfortable and tight fit.
2. Gloves
A pair of gloves is the most crucial protective gear in most combat sports, including boxing and MMA. Not only do they protect your hands from sustaining injuries, but they also protect your opponent from getting wounded. Hence, it is essential to choose a quality pair of gloves.
We strongly recommend not opting for a cheap pair, as they neither offer sufficient protection nor last long. It ends up damaging your hands rather than protecting them. So, you should consider spending a little more and go with at least a mid-range model.
Now, as far as the weight of the gloves is considered, it mainly depends on the type of training you indulge in. More often than not, people prefer using lighter gloves for pad or bag work to focus more on the technique and the speed. Plus, they also help in getting used to throwing punches.
That said, you have to use heavier gloves when it comes to actual fighting. The extra padding in heavier gloves ensures that your opponent is not wounded after receiving a punch. And it would be best if you cleaned them properly to avoid any irritations or bacterial growth.
3. Groin Guard
Groin Guard is another essential protective gear because it is one of the body’s most sensitive parts. It holds a high risk of sustaining injuries when playing combat sports. You might be surprised that a solid groin punch can make the strongest athletes fall to the ground.
But luckily, groin guards are specifically designed for combat sports. Often called ‘no foul’ groin guards, this protective gear ensures that your kidneys and the bottom of your stomach are covered. Other groin guard styles are available on the market, but ‘no foul’ groin guards offer the best protection in combat sports.
4. Hand Wraps
People often undermine the efficacy of hand wraps when it comes to combat sports. However, you must know that they are handy for training safely.
Keep in mind that with every punch you throw, you create instantaneous pressure on the bones of the hand. You may end up breaking a few of them with one nasty punch.
So, to prevent this, athletes use hand wraps. They are nothing but fabric rolled around the hand to form a protective layer that quickly absorbs shock. Also, they are mainly worn under the gloves and wrap the hand much better than gloves, preventing sudden hand and wrist movement and keeping you safe.
Some athletes prefer inner gloves to hand wraps. However, inner gloves provide more protection to the knuckles than the hands, which is not as effective as hand wraps. That said, inner gloves are easier to put on and offer an added layer of protection.
5. Headgear
Headgear is the most common form of protection in all combat sports, whether mixed martial arts or boxing even though it is not necessary while training, it becomes crucial for actual fighting.
Do we bet you know the number of strikes an athlete receives on their heads in a single match? Hence, it is a must-have protective gear when sparring in the ring to protect your head from major wounds.
Although there are various styles of head guards available on the market, we recommend going with a model that fits you right and offers top-notch protection.
Extras
These items are not mandatory but significantly enhance safety, comfort and overall performance. Most professionals use them.
1. Shorts
In combat sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts, wearing shorts is a must. They are pretty long and are specifically designed to cover the groin guard.
Quality shorts are often made using satin so that it doesn’t soak up all the sweat. Plus, they are a tad more comfortable to wear than regular shorts.
While you may get away without wearing boxing shorts when training, it becomes necessary when sparring in the ring. Hence, we strongly recommend wearing a quality pair of shorts for combat sports.
2. Boots
Boots may not seem important if you are starting new. However, you will soon realise the difference in flexibility, movement and support offered by boots compared to sneakers. So, we suggest getting a good pair of boots right from the beginning.
3. Moisturiser
Most professionals moisturise their noses to prevent nosebleeds during a fight. A dry nasal cavity is more susceptible to bleeding than a moisturised one.
The skin inside a dry nasal cavity is somewhat brittle and more susceptible to cuts that may result in nose bleeding. Boxers tend to inhale steam or take nose drops before a fight.
4. Petroleum Jelly
Another unconventional way of avoiding injuries in combat sports is applying petroleum jelly to the face. And it reduces the impact of the punch to a great extent.
Since applying petroleum jelly on the face makes it more slippery, the opponent’s blows are bound to slide off, minimising its impact. You can also use minor cuts to stop bleeding during a fight.
Combat Sports Protective Gear
With that, we have come to the end of our informative guide. Contact us at MMA Factory for any assistance purchasing combat sports protective gear.
We sincerely hope you can find all the necessary information on the protective gear used in combat sports. If you wear the protective equipment mentioned above, you can prevent most injuries, such as concussions, cuts, and broken teeth.
On that note, it is now time to wrap up. Hope to meet you soon with more exciting content!
