Mixed Martial Arts training requires endurance and strength for rigorous training. However, your training equipment is the most important because it protects you during classes. It is easy to get injured with MMA. Training equipment minimizes injury and makes your training more enjoyable.
If you are considering starting MMA training or you have started training, you should invest in good training equipment. In this article, we have made a list of the top training gear for MMA training.
1. MMA Gloves
MMA gloves protect your hand and wrist during training. They are made from the same material as boxing gloves but are lighter. Its weight is usually between 4 to 6 ounces because they have less padding, but they still provide adequate protection for the knuckles. If you are looking for training gloves for heavy bags, MMA gloves are not suitable because of the lighter padding.
Before you buy MMA gloves, you should consider the material and durability of the gloves. Go for gloves made from high-quality materials to avoid them falling apart after a short period. The gloves should fit a little loosely around your wrist. If your gloves are too tight, you won’t be able to wear inner gloves/hand wraps for additional protection and moisture absorption. Standard MMA gloves should also include wrist protection.
- EFFECTIVE FIST SUPPORT With the tri-slabbed PC3 padding, the MMA grappling gloves provide the optimally effective impact dispersion to the hands and fists during workouts. These MMA gloves allow the trainees to continue their MMA, Muay Thai, and Kickboxing training sessions with a reinvigorated spirit and perform better.
- PRE-CURVED PADDING Reducing the effort and strain of your hands, the RDX MMA sparring gloves come with a segmented pre-curved design. As the effort of curving the hands is decreased during training, the trainees have a better chance of focusing on their grappling technique which helps them improve their performance and become better athletes.
2. Sparring Gloves
Sparring Gloves have more padding than MMA gloves and are designed for use with heavy bags. They are heavier and give your hand more protection during heavy bag training. They are made from the same material as MMA gloves; a standard sparring glove weighs around 14 to 16 ounces.
Before you select sparring gloves for your MMA training, consider the quality and durability of the glove. Sparring gloves made from low-quality material will not last for a long period. They should fit snuggly around your wrist, not too tightly or loosely.
- Just What You Need: Our Essential Series is for athletes would need professional gear that will be with them day in and day out at the gym, at the best possible value. We challenge our Team Sanabul athletes, like UFC Champion Michael Bisping, to put our gear through their toughest training sessions. We know it’ll hold up for you, because it holds up for them
- For the Complete Fighter: Our 7oz. hybrid sparring gloves are fitted to protect your hands when striking, while giving you modest dexterity during grappling. No swapping out gloves, no slowing you down
3. Mouthguards
Mouthguards are designed to protect your mouth area, in short, they prevent your teeth from getting knocked out during training. They help to reduce the impact of hits landed on the jaw area by aligning the jaw in the best possible way.
There are several designs and quality mouthguards available. Innovations are used to manufacture newer designs of mouth guards to give them added functionality. If you are starting with MMA training, you should go for the standard soft mouth guard designed for use with headgear. As you progress further with your training, you can ditch those and go for more innovative designs that allow better chin movement.
- Nexfit Gel Frame for a better adjustment and comfort
- Advanced design for an optimal breathing during the fight
- High Density Rubber Frame for a better shock management and top protection
4. Rash guards
MMA training can be abrasive against the skin, so you need protection against abrasion. A rash guard shirt protects the upper body against friction burns during training. It will also help to keep finger and nail marks away.
Rash Guards are available in long and half sleeves options, so you can choose the option you are most comfortable with. Rash guards have a compression fit to help reduce muscle soreness during training. You don’t even need to buy compression fit separately.
- Just What You Need: A rashguard created to go on the journey with you.We designed The Essential series to feel like a premium product, but at a fair price.
- Fit Right In: Sanabul Essentials sports a classic, uncluttered style that you can wear confidently on your first day or when upgrading to a cleaner look. These rashguards are also IBJJF legal
- Tested by Pros, Created for You: The top names in the sport rep Sanabul, such as legendary coach John Danaher. They put our designs through the ringer, so you can trust what you’re wearing has the same grit as you
- Just What You Need: A rash guard created to go on the journey with you. We designed The Essential series to feel and perform like a premium product, but at a fair price
- Fit Right In: Sanabul Essentials sports a classic, uncluttered style that you can wear confidently on your first day or when upgrading to a cleaner look. These rashguards are also IBJJF legal
- Tested by Pros, Created for You: Some of the top competitors in the world rep Sanabul, like BJJ black belt Guilherme Bomba and legendary Jiu Jitsu coach, John Danaher. They put our designs through the ringer, so you can trust what you’re wearing has the same grit as you. Fabric treatment means longer life and cleaner training
5. Training Shirt
A training shirt can be used with a rash guard for more protection during MMA training. However, if you are starting MMA or if you are on a tight budget, you can use just the training shirt. Training shirts are available in several designs and colors to choose from.
Ensure that you choose a training shirt made from high-quality materials to minimize abrasion from rubbing the material against your body. Your training shirt should be fitted around your body.
- UA Tech fabric is quick-drying, ultra-soft & has a more natural feel
- Material wicks sweat & dries really fast
- UA Tech is our original go-to training gear: loose, light, and it keeps you cool. That’s why this men’s training T-shirt is everything you need.
6. Ear Guards
Ear guards are worn to protect the ear from the impact of blows and kicks during training. The impact of kicks and blows can rip or tear the ear during training; which can lead to permanent or temporary deafness. Apart from impact protection, the ear guard protects you from cauliflower.
Cauliflower ear occurs when blunt trauma to the ear causes inflammation and blocks blood flow. Ear guards are available in different styles and designs to choose from. Regardless of what design you are going for, make sure you get ear guards of high quality. If you are on a tight budget, you can borrow from the gym until you can afford one.
- Made Of Neoprene For Better Comfort And Agility
- Three Way Enclosure System Provides A Perfect Fit And Allows You To Adjust The Size
- High Density Foam Ensures Your Ears Will Be Protected While Using This Product
7. Headgear
Headgears offer full protection for the head and are a must-have if you would be grappling. They absorb and reduce the impact of blows to the head during MMA training. Most headgears have ear guard protection features, so you don’t need to buy ear guards separately.
Headgears are available in different styles for different purposes. The most common type is the open face headgear. There is padding around the head for impact absorption but the face and chin are left open. It allows for easier breathing and more head movement than the full-face headgear. Some headgears offer optional full-face protection; these types cover the face fully. These types of headgear are ideal for beginners and some MMA training.
Your head is the most important part of your body, so you have to invest in its protection. I am using RDX Headguard, and even though it is a bit more expensive than some other brands, they offer excellent protection and are very durable, lightweight, and comfortable. This is not a part of the equipment where you should save money. Also, these headguards protect your ears, so you don’t have to buy ear guards separately.
- EXCEPTIONAL DURABILITY RDX Boxing Headgear is exclusively made of Maya Hide Leather material that refuses to split, fray, or tear. It further adds resilience and durability to the boxing headgear. CE-certified, this head gear for sparing is ideal for MMA, Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai and more.
- Tri slabs of attenuating foam supporting layer. It is helpful for absorption.
- Quick EZ hook and loop strap offers a secure and adjustable fit reducing chances of slipping off. Unique Quick EZ Strap provides steady closure.
8. Cup/Groin Guard
Cup is also referred to as the Groin Guard, designed to protect the groin area. There is a lot of kicking, boxing, and grappling involved in MMA, and at a point, some kicks might stray and hit you in the groin area. Just imagine how painful that would be, so it is best to protect against stray kicks.
Cups are fitted with elastic straps with a removable cup for protection. Higher quality cups are padded in the front and back to resemble a helmet and will absorb more impact. Pro-style competition groin guard is fully made of soft foam wrapped in vinyl.
- 🥊 COMPLETE GROIN PROTECTIVE GEAR: The Diamond MMA compression jock and cup system is the ultimate in groin protection for high-impact sports and delivers the most effective groin protection without sacrificing comfort. The compression shorts with cup pocket has an adjustable drawstring providing a custom fit.
- 💪 PREMIUM HIGH QUALITY: Made from military grade elastics and premium spandex, the Diamond MMA Compression Jock leverages a high performance 4-strap jock system to hold a specially designed athletic cup in place within a perfectly tailored cup pocket. This patented system prevents both lateral and vertical movement of the cup.
- PROTECTION – Shock Doctor has been the leading sports protection manufacturer. Designed to shield and transfer shock away from areas where protection is most crucial.
- COMFORT – Created with breathable, four-way stretch mesh, the Core Supporter achieves the perfect fit. The comfort waistband allows you to play without irritation.
9. Shin Guard
Kicking is a major part of MMA training and those strikes without protection can be very painful, especially if you are training with heavy bags. Shin guards provide padding for your shin and the top of your foot.
Standard shin guards have similar padding and protection as the MMA gloves. There is little to no difference between the protection offered by several shin guard designs. The most important thing is to get the fitting of your shin guard right. That depends mostly on your height and shin length. Ensure you take the correct measurement and compare it to the standard table to the best fit for you.
- Premium Skintex leather construction
- High Density foam with additional padding for enhanced shock Absorption
- Lightweight design providing unrestricted mobility and speed
- Model number:VENUM-1394-126-M
10. MMA Shorts
You can use your normal short for MMA training but it probably won’t last through the first training before it rips apart. MMA shorts are designed specifically to withstand the rigors of MMA training. They are made from durable fabric with strengthened stitching, stretchability, and closure system.
Although MMA shorts are more expensive than normal shorts, they save you more money from having to buy new shorts periodically.
- Just What You Need: Sanabul Essentials check all the boxes to get you started. Highly functional, form fitting, and a name recognized around the world
- Fit Right In: Regular shorts stick out like a sore thumb in the gym, and don’t perform well during grappling. Our classic, uncluttered style and iconic Sanabul logo can be worn confidently on your first day, or when upgrading to a cleaner look
