Every year the interest in MMA grows more and more. This sport has become available to almost everyone. Women, men, youth and adults train with equal commitment. We checked what equipment you need before your first training session.
MMA is an abbreviation which sounds quite mysterious. You may have trouble deciphering it, especially if you haven’t had much to do with combat sports so far. MMA is mixed martial arts. Fighters don’t have to choose whether to box or train wrestling. MMA offers a huge variety of challenges. This sport offers a wide range of opportunities when it comes to developing athletic skills.
Some people are completely wrong in thinking that MMA is a kind of “free American” competition where there are no rules. This is not true. In mixed martial arts there is a catalog of behaviors that are prohibited by the rules. Among other things, the fighters are not allowed to bite each other, put their fingers in each other’s eyes or ears or attack genitals.
It may seem that combat sports, including MMA, are a challenge for the toughest of athletes. However, it’s becoming more and more common to see fighters from all age groups in the training rooms. Mixed martial arts are also becoming increasingly popular among women.
Virtually anyone who wants to try a new physical activity can come to train in the octagon. MMA training is extremely varied and allows you to work on strengthening muscles in different parts of the body. However, one must keep in mind that it is a somewhat demanding sport. Participating in a workout after years of sitting idly on the couch in front of the TV can end in a painful injury at best.
Before you go for a MMA workout, make sure to get your body moving. Start with general training, you can also implement elements of cardio. The point is to get your body used to the effort. The more you move, the less stressful the workout will be for you. You should also think about getting the necessary training equipment.
What will you need for your workout? A supply of perseverance and good intentions will certainly come in handy. Moreover, you need to invest in basic equipment. Among other things, you will need gloves – in fact, they are the most important. Which gloves to choose? Ask more experienced players or coaches. Some limit themselves to using only gloves designed for MMA, some prefer other types.
Gloves designed for mixed martial arts have a characteristic structure. First of all, the fingers are uncovered, which facilitates the application of, for example, a throw. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that such gloves are quite hard. It is worth buying good quality equipment, especially properly fitted. Thanks to this, you can improve both the comfort and effectiveness of the fight or training.
Gloves are essential. Without them, it’s hard to imagine even a light workout. If you’re thinking about starting your MMA adventure, you can also invest in additional equipment. These are protectors which will improve your safety and reduce the risk of injury.
Shin guards or foot pads are not required, but they are worth having. Each injury is a risk of interruption in training, not to mention pain. When choosing protectors for tibias, you must remember about taking care of both your safety and comfort during training. If you bet on the wrong ones, they may then hinder some of your movements.
Your level of expertise will also matter when it comes to choosing equipment. A beginner will have slightly different needs in this regard than an experienced athlete. Also important is how you fight. Is your technique static, or do you prefer to bring your opponent to the ground. If you don’t know what type of protectors to choose, be sure to ask for advice from someone who has been training at the club for a long time.
Featured photo: Pixabay
