The idea of getting into a new combat sport may seem daunting at first, with endless lists of equipment required in order to get the best out of your endeavours, it may swiftly feel easier to not begin your foray at all. The brilliant thing about most combat sports is that the taster is always free - whilst more advanced training and sparring will certainly require equipment, practising form and drilling technique can often be done virtually equipment-free!
When it comes to pushing your exploration further, delving deep into your chosen combat sport, then you will likely need more specialised equipment. Below are descriptions of what you’ll need for a few different combat sports which you might be interested in exploring further.
Boxing When it comes to gear specific to this classic combat sport, good-quality boxing gloves, focus mitts and different forms of punching bags are a given. However, when looking into boxing gloves, understand that there is a difference between training gloves and competition gloves, with the former having more padding than the latter. You should also consider investing in some quality boxing shoes. Boxing shoes, when compared with a standard pair of sneakers for example, are specialised to prioritise grip inside of the ring. They are also designed with multidirectional movement in mind, supporting the ankle and reducing the chance of injury.
Likewise, you’ll always find benefit in using custom hand wraps and compression wear. Safety and protection devices are also universal - headguards, groin guards, mouth guards, shin guards and the like will always come in handy.
MMA
MMA (mixed martial arts) incorporates techniques from a number of different disciplines. Participating in this combat sport requires a particular set of gloves which are a little different to boxing gloves. MMA gloves are lightweight and have an open palm and fingerless design to also allow for grappling as well as strikes. This enables a fighter to easily transition between various fighting styles – from stand-up combat to ground fighting, whilst providing knuckle protection. With MMA gloves, fighters can perform intricate manoeuvres like chokeholds and arm bars. Additionally, the open design promotes better grip and control, enhancing the tactical versatility of the sport.
Karate
One vital piece for anybody looking to practise karate is the karate uniform, or gi. This uniform is composed of two pieces - a long open-front long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Gi often come in white, and less commonly in blue.
These uniforms are worn with coloured belts which represent the student’s level of knowledge with the martial art. These belts range from white at the beginner level up to black at the more advanced level. A practitioner of karate, or karateka, may advance through belt levels through passing a test.
Another useful piece of equipment for a karateka is chest protectors, or karate armour. These are composed of lightweight plastic so as to not negatively affect one’s movement whilst still offering protection around the chest.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a martial art which involves a mixture of punching and kicking, known as the art of eight limbs, referring to the eight contact points. One piece of equipment particular to Muay Thai would be replacing your focus mitts with Thai pads. Thai pads are longer and thicker than focus mitts, built specifically to take punches, kicks and all kinds of strikes. This makes them an essential tool for training both offensive and defensive techniques, ensuring a more authentic practice experience.
While a pair of basketball shorts may suffice in a pinch, Muay Thai shorts offer a design specifically crafted to enhance leg mobility. This design advantage allows practitioners to execute high kicks with greater ease, complementing the sport's emphasis on powerful, agile strikes. This tailored gear, combined with the right training, helps in mastering the sophisticated techniques that define Muay Thai.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
When compared with karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has much more of a focus on grappling and submission. Much like with karate, practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will require a gi and ir also has a similar belt ranking system. However, there is the option to practise BJJ without the uniform, donning a spandex shirt known as a rashguard and suitable shorts with room for movement.
These two styles are distinct, as when it comes to competition environments, gripping your opponents clothing is legal in the gi variation but illegal in the no-gi one. No-gi BJJ is often faster-paced due to the lack of grips to control opponents, leading to more emphasis on body mechanics and positional control. On the other hand, gi BJJ incorporates strategic use of the gi for offensive and defensive manoeuvres, adding a layer of complexity. Consequently, these variations foster different skill sets, and choosing between them can depend on a practitioner's personal preference or fighting style.
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Once again, the true beauty of combat sports is that dipping your toes can be as simple as shadow boxing to practise and incorporate stances, technique and strikes specific to your chosen sport. Learning the fundamentals of any combat sport is a simple enough endeavour with little financial investment. So, feel fortified that you can discover your love for one of them and then comfortably proceed from there.
