*This is going to be an evolving article. I plan on adding to it as well as offer specific product recommendations.
With the right equipment you can optimize your training and more importantly stay safe. The following pieces of information pertaining to mixed martial arts training equipment would be a great place to start.
A gi
While you don’t need a gi to train for MMA, there are great benefits to training with one. For example: training with a gi can help you improve your hip movement, posture, and defense. Additionally, the main reason I train with the gi is the immense pleasure I get out of it; however, if you have an MMA fight or a submission grappling (where no gi is required) match coming up, I suggest you take the gi off when training.
Boxing gloves
Boxing gloves are so important for your mixed martial arts training equipment arsenal because you will need them to do much of your stand up training. This includes bag work, hitting pads, and sparring. 16 ounce gloves should be ideal to start with.
Don’t make the mistake of not having hand wraps in your mixed martial arts training equipment bag!
Always wear hand wraps when boxing. The human hand has at least 27 bones and they need to be protected. Using hand wraps can help prevent injuries like a broken hand, a sprained wrist, or a sprained thumb. These injuries and other similar ones can seriously hamper if not end your competitive boxing or MMA career.
Mouth piece
I would strongly encourage you to wear a mouth piece whether grappling or striking. A mouth piece may be the most valuable piece of mixed martial arts training equipment you will have. A mouth guard can help you keep your teeth in your mouth, prevent cuts in your mouth from your teeth, and protect your jaw. It is a good habit to wear your mouth piece at all times during training just to get used to breathing with one.
The possession of proper tools will make your training much safer and more enjoyable. Now go put that mixed martial arts (MMA) training equipment to good use with some intense training.
