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Can You Do Wrestling With Braces?


Given the close-quarters contact that comes with wrestling, it makes sense that you might have some questions about wrestling while wearing braces.

For example, there’s potential for you or your opponent to get scraped by the sharp metal, and at first thought, it seems like it could be unsafe. But can you wrestle while wearing braces?

Can You Do Wrestling With Braces?

You can do wrestling with braces provided you wear a mouthguard to protect yourself and your opponent. The mouthguard must cover your braces fully, and it should be comfortable to wear while being active. If you plan to compete, consider investing in a custom mouthguard for the best fit.

Your mouthguard is just as crucial for your safety as your headgear, knee pads, and athletic support, and as long as you consult your orthodontist and find a mouthguard that’s right for you, it is perfectly safe to wrestle with braces. To learn more, however, keep reading.

Guidelines for Wrestling With Braces

The guidelines for wrestling with braces, per the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), requires wrestlers to wear a mouthguard for protection. 

Wrestlers with braces on their top teeth do not need a guard on their bottom teeth, and vice versa.

A mouthguard has three goals: 

  • Protect the inside of your mouth from the sharp wires and brackets.
  • Keep your braces from getting damaged.
  • Prevent your opponent from getting cut.

Best Mouthguards for Braces

The best mouthguards for braces are specifically made for people with braces as a normal guard does not account for the added material on your teeth. Stock guards are affordable and will work well, but mouth-formed and custom guards are better if the wearer plans to compete. 

There are three main types of braces mouthguards you can use for wrestling:

  • Stock mouthguards are very basic and designed to fit universally.
  • Mouth-formed (or boiled) are an affordable alternative to custom guards that can be molded to your own teeth.
  • Custom mouthguards need to be professionally molded and made for your specific needs and will be the most expensive option.

The right mouthguard for you will depend on your situation, how much you intend to use it, and how much you’re willing to spend.

Stock Mouthguards

Stock mouthguards are pieces of silicone that fit over your braces without being tailored to fit your mouth shape. They are affordable and readily available at most sporting goods stores. 

You can also find stock mouthguards on Amazon. The Shock Doctor Double Braces Mouth Guard covers the upper and lower braces and comes in many sizes.   

However, if you only have upper braces, consider the NXTRND Braces Mouth Guard (also from Amazon) to protect your upper teeth. There’s no need to guard your lower teeth if you don’t have braces on them.

It may take some trial-and-error to find a stock mouthguard that fits your mouth size comfortably. Fortunately, they are the most affordable, so it shouldn’t be a financial strain if you have to buy more than one.

Boiled / Mouth-Formed Mouthguards

Mouth-formed mouthguards, sometimes known as boiled mouthguards, are similar to stock mouthguards in that you buy them from the store, but they are molded to fit your braces.

Place the mouthguard in boiling water for as long as the instructions indicate (usually about 15-30 seconds) to soften the material. Then remove the mouthguard from the water and bite into it. 

The gel-like material should form around your braces and teeth.

A boiled mouthguard will probably fit your mouth better than a stock mouthguard, but it might not last the entire wrestling season. T

hey are only moderately expensive, depending on the brand. If you only have braces for one season of your wrestling career, boiled mouthguards could be a great fit for you.

SAFEJAWZ Mouthguard for Braces from Amazon can be heated and reshaped to your teeth multiple times, which is helpful as your teeth move into the proper position thanks to your braces.

Custom Mouthguards

A custom mouthguard is the most expensive and time-consuming to make as they are made by your dentist or orthodontist and professionally molded to fit your mouth and braces. 

This process will require at least one, if not several, trips to the orthodontist. 

However, when your custom mouthguard is done, it will be more comfortable than a stock mouthguard because it is designed for your unique mouth shape.

Ask your orthodontist about how long a custom mouthguard would take and how expensive it would be. 

A custom mouthguard is probably worth the investment if you know you’re going to be wrestling while wearing braces for a long time. You should also consider one if you can’t find any stock or boiled mouthguards that fit comfortably.

How to Protect Your Mouthguard

If you bought the mouth-formed or custom mouthguard, you’ll want to care for it to ensure it lasts as long as possible.

Here’s how to protect your mouthguard: 

  1. Store it in a container when not in use to prevent damage.
  2. Go to your dentist if it breaks and replace it right away.
  3. Remember to regularly clean your mouthguard. 

To clean your mouthguard, brush it with toothpaste before and after every practice and match, so it doesn’t grow bacteria. Brushing also helps it taste fresh and less like silicone or plastic.

If regularly brushing your mouthguard isn’t enough to keep it feeling fresh and clean, try soaking it in water with a cleanser designed for dental care. Breelex Retainer Cleaner from Amazon comes in tablet form and is useful for cleaning mouthguards, retainers, and dentures.

What To Do if Your Braces Cut You

Even with a mouthguard, injuries can still happen. Cuts caused by braces may take a while to heal because the bracket is fixed in place and may continue to irritate your laceration.

If your braces cut the inside of your mouth while wrestling, rinse out your mouth and use dental wax to cover the bracket that is causing the issue. If the problem persists, visit your dentist to have your braces adjusted.

Your orthodontist will almost certainly provide you with wax when you first get your braces, and it’s very inexpensive to restock your supply. 

This GUM Orthodontic Wax includes aloe vera to soothe your mouth, and it’s already cut into small pieces for your convenience.

Throw away old wax and replace it with fresh wax as needed until the cut has healed. 

You can also treat your pain with over-the-counter medicines if you need to, and you might want to eat soft foods for a day or two. Excessive chewing can irritate your cut.

Braces aren’t a particularly fun experience for anyone, but they don’t have to get in the way of the things you love–even wrestling. 

Wear an NFHS-approved mouthguard, continue to practice good oral hygiene, and talk to your orthodontist when in doubt. You should be able to keep wrestling without hurting your mouth, your opponent, or your braces.

Interested in Wrestling? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training Wrestling, here is some of the gear I recommend:
Best Ear Guards(Headgear)
Best Mouth Guard
Best Wrestling Shoes
Best Groin Protection
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

Can You Train MMA and Body Building?


Because MMA is such a specialized form of fighting that requires so much speed and endurance, you might be wondering if you can also do bodybuilding at the same time.

Many people seem to feel that building too much muscle will compromise their ability to move with agility while engaging in an MMA fight. 

Can You Train MMA and Body Building?

The reality is that MMA and bodybuilding can be done together. Bodybuilding and working on strength conditioning can actually increase your endurance and make you even more proficient at MMA. The key is to develop a proper balance between building muscle and enhancing your fighting skills. 

Since bodybuilders need to lift weights in order to accomplish their purposes, it is important to know how much is acceptable.

You will also want to learn how to build the type of muscle that will actually increase your endurance and make you a better MMA fighter. Continue reading to learn more about combining MMA with bodybuilding. 

Is Lifting Weights Bad for MMA?

There are many benefits to be gained by lifting weights when you are also participating in MMA. Some people believe that lifting weights can slow down MMA fighters, while bigger muscles will only serve to increase exhaustion levels.

That is not necessarily the case unless your only focus is on building the biggest muscle mass that you can possibly have. 

The key is balance. It would be best to lift weights correctly and in direct proportion with your role as an MMA fighter. If you do that, then lifting weights can actually be considered good for MMA.

When you are engaging in martial arts, you put a great deal of strain and pressure on your body. This is why you need to schedule in your weight lifting activities appropriately. 

You will want to consider five things if you want to lift weights while also doing MMA. 

  • Schedule in rest days – You will want to make sure that you schedule in plenty of rest time between your weight lifting sessions and your martial arts class. Keep in mind that it is also no recommended that you lift more than three days in any given week. 
  • There is no need for maximum repetitions – When you are weight lifting and doing MMA at the same time, your goal should not be to build the biggest muscles that you can. This means that you do not want to wear your muscles out. Focus on moderate weights that you can lift consistently as opposed to try to do one maximum rep. It is better to do more total sets than it is to overdo it with lifting weights that are too heavy for you. 
  • Lift after your MMA session – You may have some days when you lift weights and do MMA at the same time. If that is the case, you will want to lift weights after your MMA session so that you can focus on your technique and fighting endurance. 
  • Vary your training routines – You do not have to do the same MMA training or lifting regime every time. It is important to change it up with every workout. You will want to have shorter, more intense sessions thrown in every once in a while so that you can practice simulated fighting techniques. This goes for your lifting sessions as well. 
  • Focus on explosive strength in your MMA training – When you are in your MMA sessions, you should not focus on how you look. This is a sport where explosive strength matters. That is where your weight lifting is going to benefit you. Use this strength to your advantage and make it a focus of your training sessions. 

If you follow this advice, you will discover that your body grows stronger while your MMA skills improve at the same time. You can do both, but it just takes a bit of planning to get there. 

Is MMA Good for Building Muscle?

While MMA is not designed specifically for building muscle, fighters do tend to get rather ripped quite quickly with consistent training. Many people find that muscle will build faster when doing MMA and weightlifting at the same time when compared to someone who is only focused on bodybuilding or lifting weights. 

This means that MMA and the building of muscle are complementary to one another. The key is the intensity with which you approach each training session. If you are focused on what MMA involves, you will end up using just about every muscle in your body throughout the average training session. 

When you combine this with lifting weights, muscles will grow much faster than someone who only focuses on the weight training component.

Bodybuilders will tend to only work on the muscles that need to lift or push the weights that are in their path. However, MMA will make you stronger and help you work on your endurance at the same time. 

As your heart and lungs grow stronger, you will be able to intensify your training sessions even further. This means that you will notice even more gains in terms of your muscle growth the longer you train MMA.

Even the hardest of training sessions will leave your muscles working and strengthening for a day or two after the fighting ends. This is what you are looking for. 

How Often Should MMA Fighters Lift Weights?

The answer to this question is largely going to depend on the goals of the fighter. Some fighters will lift weights to one degree or another virtually every day, while others will have a more intense lifting session only two times per week. This is up to the training routine and where the fighter is in his development. 

If a person is actively fighting MMA, then lifting weights may be seen as more of a maintenance exercise. The focus will be more on actual MMA training, which involves:

  • Speed
  • Strength
  • Endurance

However, fighters first starting out with MMA may lift weights more often in order to build up the strength that they need to be highly effective in the sport. 

The key is not to lift so much that the body becomes too tired to focus on the MMA aspect of the sport. A healthy balance is needed. This is why it is so important to lift moderate weights and not focus on maximum reps. 

Why Are MMA Fighters So Ripped? 

MMA fighters tend to be so ripped because they are more focused on muscle endurance than they are on muscle growth. This makes them stronger and leaner, both of which make them more effective as an MMA fighter. Big muscles are not the goal for someone doing MMA. Strength is a much more valuable commodity. 

When an MMA fighter is ripped, that means their body is toned and well defined to the point that it can withstand the abuse that another fighter will throw at it.

MMA fighters tend to engage in high repetition workouts that will give them the endurance that they need to go the distance. This minimizes the risk of muscle fatigue, which is what the average MMA fighter is looking for. 

Both bodybuilding and MMA can provide you with a great form of exercise that can contribute to your own health and wellbeing. You can perfect both disciplines at the same time if you know how to balance the two.

This is what this post has been designed to demonstrate to you, so take these principles to hear as you continue perfecting your MMA skills. 

Interested in MMA? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training MMA, here is some of the gear I recommend:
Best Mouth Guard
Best MMA Gloves
Best Groin Protection
Best Rashguard
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

What Are the Most Common Injuries in MMA?


MMA is one of the most intense and injury-prone sports in the world. Pitting two people against each other using various combat forms creates all sorts of potential outcomes.

Knowing which injuries are likely to happen will help fighters correct their style to promote safety without hindering their ability to win a match.

What Are the Most Common Injuries in MMA?

The most common injuries in MMA are fractured hands, ACL tears, concussions, broken bones in the face, and chipped teeth. These injuries are often caused by punches, kicks, and submissions. However, some of them are self-inflicted by a misstep, blocked low kick, or slipping.

Throughout this article, we’ll break down how you can prevent the most common MMA injuries, how often they happen, and whether or not training for an MMA match is safe. We’ll also talk about why they’re more common than rarer injuries.

How to Prevent Injuries in MMA

To prevent injuries in MMA, you should wear protective gloves and mouthguards, learn how to throw your strike to avoid fractures, and know when you should tap out if you’re being submitted. Lifting weights, training cardio, and stretching will keep you loose and flexible to avoid hyperextensions and muscle tears.

Here’s a detailed list of each preventative measure:

  • Wear protective gear when training and competing. Headgear, mouthguards, shinguards, gloves, and other equipment is often irreplaceable. You can wear all of them while training and just the gloves and mouthguard in a real match (some places allow everything for amateur fights).
  • Learn how to punch, kick, and submit properly. Throwing a punch at an awkward angle can fracture your hand or break a finger. Getting your kick blocked can break your shin, which has happened in pro UFC fights. These skills are the building blocks to winning and staying safe.
  • Know when it’s time to throw in the towel. If you’re getting beaten or need to tap, don’t be afraid to call it a day. There’s a stigma behind tapping out, but even the best athletes admit it’s part of the sport. Failure to submit or quit can lead to irreparable ligament damage.
  • Strength training, cardio, and stretching are crucial to your safety. MarcPro explains that you’re much more likely to get injured without these three components. Stretching is a crucial part of MMA, and you should do it before every training session, sparring match, and competition.

All sports have potential injuries. It’s understandable that MMA would lead the charge in many categories due to its fast-paced, high-impact style. We’ll dive into the frequency of these injuries in the following section.

Frequency of MMA Injuries Compared to Other Sports

The frequency of MMA injuries compared to other sports is similar to American football because they both have concussions, cuts, and continuous head trauma. However, a study by Orlando Ortho shows MMA fights have a 37.3% chance of lacerations compared to only 7% in American football.

Lacerations and Concussions Happen the Most

The NCAA estimates college football concussions happen in 7.4% of players, whereas 20.8% of MMA fighters get concussions. Repeated head trauma is similar in both sports, which assumes both of them can generate long-term brain damage. Lacerations are more severe in MMA than in any other sport.

Contusions and Fractures Are Common in MMA

According to NCBI, 5% to 10% of all injuries are related to fractures. MMA has an average fracture rate of 6.2%, making it right about average compared to every other sport.

Contusions are common in all contact sports, but also those that involve contact with the ground rather than players (baseball, soccer, and lacrosse).

Strains, Sprains, and Dislocations Can Happen Regularly

Dislocating, straining, or spraining is common in MMA, but it’s not rare in any sport. Any time you push yourself and move around, there’s a chance of getting injured. Prevention starts with stretching, training, and cardio, but these injuries are often unavoidable. They make up to 6% of MMA injuries.

Is Training MMA Safe?

Training MMA is safe because it helps your body adapt to new motions, learn how to defend yourself, and prevents injuries by letting you know how to handle yourself in a match. You’ll react better, and most MMA sparring sessions have extra gear to keep you safe throughout the session.

Here’s a more in-depth three-part answer:

  1. Training strengthens and adapts your body for combat. Have you ever felt extremely sore after working out for the first time in a while? This process is your body growing and learning how to handle new movements. This type of training will make it much easier for you to wrestle your opponents, making your long-term progress safer.
  2. Proper sparring is rarely full-force fighting. While training injuries aren’t unheard of, they’re not nearly as common as getting hurt during a competitive match. Sparring partners and gym coaches will take it easier enough to keep you safe, especially in the weeks preceding a match.
  3. Training sessions can help you prevent injuries by learning how to react and protect yourself in a match. Injuries often happen from getting punched, kicked, or submitted. If you train enough, you’ll learn how to dodge, parry, and transition to save the match and keep yourself safe from harm.

Training can be dangerous if you go too fast or don’t listen to your coaches and sparring partners. MMA is all about improving your craft and fine-tuning the small details.

By taking advantage of training sessions, you can stay safe and prevent yourself from getting hurt. Furthermore, your body will be pushed to its limits, increasing your strength and endurance.

Conclusion

MMA is a hardcore sport, so there’s no denying the potential for injuries. By protecting yourself with special gear (mouthguards and gloves around the clock and shinguards and headgear for sparring or training), you can drastically reduce the chance of getting hurt.

Bruises and bleeding are an inevitable part of mixed martial arts, but severe injuries are avoidable. Proper training and preparation are crucial to keeping yourself safe in MMA.

Interested in MMA? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training MMA, here is some of the gear I recommend:
Best Mouth Guard
Best MMA Gloves
Best Groin Protection
Best Rashguard
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

Which is Better: Going to the Gym or Training MMA?


It’s always time to get in the best shape of your life, but there are so many ways to get a good workout that it can be challenging to decide what will work best for you. If you’ve thought about MMA, you’ve probably wondered about the differences between mixed martial arts training and gyms. 

Which is Better: Going to the Gym or Training MMA?

Gym training is better than MMA if you want to look good, build strength using equipment, and need a convenient option for working out. Training MMA is suitable for people looking for a goal-oriented, social environment that teaches practical skills, but MMA gyms can be more difficult to come by.

Read on for a comparison of the pros and cons of joining a gym and taking up MMA training.

Pros and Cons of Joining a Gym

When people want to get in shape, they join a gym. Gyms have a wide array of equipment, and sometimes, they have trainers, pools, and workout classes to get you pumped about gaining muscle tone.

However, most gyms cater to people who want to look good- why else do you think there are so many mirrors and scales at a gym? 

The pros of joining a gym include access to plenty of machines, equipment, and personal trainers, as well as convenient opening times. The cons of joining a gym include the additional membership costs, the focus on aesthetics, and how easy it can be to lose motivation. 

Pros of Joining a Gym

  1. You’ve Access to Plenty of Machines and Equipment

If you want to try your hand at some new workout techniques like rowing, spinning, running, lifting weights, climbing stairs, or swimming laps, the gym is the place to go. 

With hundreds of different machines, weightlifting gear, and activities to do, there is always something new to learn at the gym. 

  1. You’ve Access to Personal Trainers

Most gyms offer personal training sessions and consultations, and they almost always have a professional personal trainer on hand. 

Asking for help from a personal trainer is an excellent idea, whether you hope to perfect your workout techniques or want to learn a new routine that targets specific areas of your body. 

  1. Gyms Have Convenient Opening Times

Many people join a gym because they know that they can go whenever they want. Most gyms are open late at night and early in the morning, making it easy for you to find a workout time that fits your schedule.

So, if you have a hectic schedule and don’t have time to join an MMA class, going to the gym might be your best bet. 

Cons of Joining a Gym

  1. There Are Additional Membership Costs

Although standard gyms may have plenty of equipment, workout classes, and personal trainers, you might have to pay additional fees to use them. 

When you join a gym, make sure you ask about what is included in your membership package. More often than not, you will have to pay steep add-on fees for personal trainers, pool access, and classes. 

  1. Gyms Focus on Aesthetics

Most people who go to the gym want to look fit. If you wish to improve your strength, tone your muscles, or lose the love handles, gyms are the way to go. 

However, many people feel uncomfortable going to the gym with such a superficial environment or feel intimidated by other members.

  1. It’s Easy to Lose Motivation

If you have ever used a treadmill or mechanical bike, you know that working out can sometimes feel pointless. 

Whether you are lifting weights or doing cardio, the gym is just there to help you get stronger. You will often only use the skills you perfect during your workouts when you return to the gym. 

There isn’t anyone to hold you accountable at the gym, so you will have to discipline yourself to keep coming back and make the most out of your workout. It’s easy to put off your exercise when you have a gym membership, which often leads to unused benefits. 

Pros and Cons of Training MMA

MMA teaches you functional skills while you get stronger. You may not look as muscular and ripped right away if you pick MMA, but you will learn defensive tactics and work with other people and trainers while getting a great workout. 

The pros of training MMA include hands-on trainers and classes, a lively social environment, and how the discipline teaches functional skills. The cons of training MMA can include the potential to get injured, less use of equipment, and the lack of available gyms or classes. 

Pros of Training MMA 

  1. MMA Offers Hands-On Trainers and Classes

MMA teachers and trainers are dedicated to their art, and they want to help you learn from them. Unlike gyms, MMA classes are led by a trainer who will work with and develop a relationship with you. 

Trainers are usually at the gym all day to help you and lead you through fun, exciting workouts, and they want to see you succeed. 

  1. It’s a Lively Social Environment

In MMA, you can’t spar alone. That means that you will meet new people, make friends, and work with other people and trainers at the MMA gym. 

It’s hard to lose motivation when you have a support group and a trainer to help you. Nothing is better than getting the encouragement you need to get in shape and perfect a new technique. 

  1. MMA Teaches Functional Skills

If you often get bored by aimlessly running on a treadmill, lifting cold pointless weights, or biking in a dark room, try MMA. 

MMA gives you a full-body workout and gets your adrenaline pumping. Still, it also teaches you practical skills, improves your balance, and educates you on fighting styles from around the world.

You won’t even notice how hard your body is working while you are on the floor since you will always work towards a clear and practical goal. 

Cons of Training MMA

  1. MMA Training Can Cause Potential Injuries

MMA is a fighting sport, so you should expect to take some punches in class. Usually, unless you are training to be a professional fighter, you won’t get hurt much, but there is a chance that someone will make a mistake and hit a little too hard. 

Luckily, though, you will be using protective gear like cups, mouthguards, and helmets just in case, but if you don’t feel like risking it, you may want to opt for an average gym. 

  1. It Uses Less Equipment

In MMA, you will use your body’s weight to work out, so you won’t use treadmills or weights as much as at a standard gym. Most MMA gyms have weights, punching bags, and some other basic equipment, but for the most part, you shouldn’t expect to use the gear too much. 

So, if you are partial to using workout machines like ellipticals, stair climbers, and stationary bikes, MMA might not be best for you. 

  1. It Sometimes Lacks Available Gyms or Classes

In some areas, you might not be able to find an MMA gym. They are far less common than standard gyms, so you may have to commute to get to the nearest martial arts studio. Having to drive long distances might not fit into your schedule, which could make or break the experience for you. 

Are UFC Gyms Worth It?

UFC gyms are ideal for beginner MMA fighters. Most of their classes are small, and they usually offer many different types of group classes, including boxing, BJJ, MMA, and fitness, every week.

They also provide plenty of equipment for bodybuilding, making them different from most private MMA studios. 

UFC gyms are worth it if you’re interested in learning martial arts. They will give you everything you need to decide what style of fighting is best for you and provide you with an engaging workout environment. 

Final Thoughts

Gyms offer more variety and an aesthetic-based approach to exercise, MMA training teaches you new, practical self-defense skills in a community-based gym.

However, because gyms are more readily available, in terms of locations and opening times, than MMA facilities, they’re probably a more desirable option if you have a busy schedule. 

Interested in MMA? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training MMA, here is some of the gear I recommend:
Best Mouth Guard
Best MMA Gloves
Best Groin Protection
Best Rashguard
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

Why Do MMA Fighters Wear Gloves?


One of the must-have items for MMA fighters is a pair of good gloves. MMA gloves come in different colors and sizes — they usually match the fighter’s outfit — and in an open-fingered fashion. MMA fighters are not ready to fight until they have their gloves on, but why?

Why Do MMA Fighters Wear Gloves?

MMA fighters wear gloves to get grappling flexibility and some hand protection. Gloves ensure an MMA fighter’s fists and wrists are protected when they put out powerful punches onto their opponent. The use of gloves in MMA fights ensures that the injuries inflicted on both fighters are minimized.

Let’s get into more details about the roles of gloves in MMA, be it in training or matches.

Is There a Reason MMA Fighters Wear Gloves?

The reason MMA fighters wear gloves is to minimize the injuries inflicted on both fighters during a match. When a fighter hits their opponent with strong punches, they can severely damage their fists in the long run. The gloves are meant to reduce the impact on the fighters’ fists and wrists.

It’s common to see MMA fighters wearing gloves, and it’s easy to understand why. The easy explanation for why MMA fighters wear gloves is for hand protection. What some might not realize is gloves do more than protect a fighter’s hands.

On the other hand, the opponent can benefit from their attacker wearing gloves because the damages inflicted, especially in the facial area, can be reduced.

Gloves can also lower the risk of head injuries in fighters. Despite the lack of research regarding head trauma caused by MMA today, it’s in every fighter’s best interest to protect themselves in the ring.

Different Types of MMA Gloves

There are different types of MMA gloves to suit different uses. Competition gloves weigh about 110g-170g (3.8oz-5.9oz) or heavier, depending on size. Heavier competition gloves are usually worn by amateur fighters, whereas professional fighters wear lighter gloves.

Amateur fighters wear heavier gloves to help them increase their stamina and build muscle strength. Competition gloves help to prepare amateur fighters for MMA tournaments in which they wear lighter gloves. Usually, competition gloves are only worn for a short time.

Then, there are sparring gloves, also known as training gloves. Typically, sparring gloves’ paddings are heavier than those of competition gloves as they involve a lot of punching. Sparring gloves are excellent for MMA training because they provide adequate hand protection to fighters during training.

Grappling gloves are what MMA fighters normally wear in competitions. Unlike competition gloves and sparring gloves, grappling gloves have less padding to allow easier grappling. This type of glove allows the wearer to move every one of their fingers without restrictions.

Difference Between Boxing Gloves and MMA Gloves?

The most obvious difference between boxing gloves and MMA gloves is their physical appearance. Boxing gloves wrap the fighter’s fingers like mittens. In contrast, MMA gloves expose the fighter’s fingers. Boxing gloves are softer, bulkier and less padded than MMA gloves.

You cannot use boxing gloves for MMA; neither can you use MMA gloves for boxing because the two sports are not the same.

A boxer can only use punches against their opponent, strictly above the belt — usually on the head. Meanwhile, an MMA fighter can attack their opponent in several different ways, like punching, kicking, and grappling.

Think of UFC fighters when you think of MMA gloves. Both boxing gloves come with velcro closures, but boxing gloves mostly use a lace-tying mechanism, while MMA gloves are strictly velcro-type.

MMA gloves must have a snug fit on your hand because if they’re too tight, they can restrict blood flow, but if too loose, they may slip off during a fight.

Which Gloves Hit Harder: Boxing or MMA?

MMA gloves hit harder than boxing gloves due to less padding and their lightweight nature. Without padding, the bare fist projects the most force (about 370 kg or 815 lbs). MMA gloves reduce the impact to about 295 kgs (650 lbs).  Boxing gloves reduce it to 291 kg (641 lbs).

Boxing gloves can weigh between 120g-150g (4.2oz-5.2oz), and they have more padding than MMA gloves. In contrast to the belief that more padding delivers more force, boxing gloves project less impact than MMA gloves — only 291 kg (641 lbs). 

MMA gloves are superior to boxing gloves for speed, power, versatility, and grappling, but boxing gloves are safer when a fighter receives a punch.

Watch the video below for a strength comparison between boxing gloves and MMA gloves:

Should You Wear Gloves When Training MMA or Boxing?

You should always wear gloves when training MMA or boxing for your safety and the safety of your training partners. It would be best to wear hand wraps with your MMA or boxing gloves, too. That way, you’ll get the most hand protection. 

Your bones may be strong, but they will get worn out in time, inevitable even among world champions. It’s important to protect your hands as much as possible, especially before a match. Many fighters own at least two gloves because rigorous training can wear down the gloves between 1 and 3 years.

Of course, the state of your fighting gloves will depend heavily on their quality and the amount of pressure they endure within time. Lower quality gloves that work the hardest would last up to several months only. Higher quality fighting gloves that fight the hardest may last under two years.

Are Gloves Required in the UFC?

All UFC participants are required to wear UFC gloves. Fighters must also wear approved clothing for UFC matches. The idea of imposing these rules is to keep the sport as safe as possible for the athletes.

There are still concerns regarding UFC gloves, though. Despite meeting UFC safety standards, UFC gloves are not safe enough for eye pokes, which do happen in UFC matches. Even Joe Rogan addressed the issue back in 2011. 

According to Rogan, open-handed gloves are still considered dangerous. The superstar called for a solution to have UFC gloves cover the tips of the fingers and secure them together like a ‘speed bag glove.’

At least, we don’t see fighters fighting with bare hands anymore today, thanks to the mandatory use of proper fighting gloves in the 1997 UFC 14. 

Final Thoughts

All MMA fighters wear gloves to protect their hands and reduce hit impacts on their opponents. While MMA is a high-risk sport, injuries can be avoided or reduced by ensuring all fighters wear gloves, be it training or competitions.

MMA gloves hit harder than boxing gloves, and with proper care, high-quality gloves can last between 1 and 3 years.

Interested in MMA? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training MMA, here is some of the gear I recommend:
Best Mouth Guard
Best MMA Gloves
Best Groin Protection
Best Rashguard
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources:

Do MMA Fighters Run?


Strong physical, emotional, and mental strength is essential in becoming an MMA fighter, which can be achieved through proper training. For many, strength and conditioning are crucial to help them toughen up — many don’t believe in running for MMA, though. So, do MMA fighters run?

Do MMA Fighters Run?

MMA fighters do run in practice or warm-ups, but not much. Some MMA fighters don’t run because they believe that running is bad for the knees and is less effective in improving MMA performance. However, many MMA fighters do sprint workouts to increase their muscle strength and lung capacity.

This article will discuss if running is essential for MMA training and why some MMA fighters run but others don’t.

Why Do MMA Fighters Run?

MMA fighters run to build up their stamina and improve their performance in the ring. Some fighters will also jog when warming-up before beginning a training session. 

Jogging and running are great — especially for MMA beginners — but more experienced MMA fighters don’t always add them to their training.

Why Running Is Not Necessary for MMA Training

Many MMA fighters don’t prioritize running because they believe that running won’t benefit them much in training, and it’s bad for the knees.

In addition, compared to other conditioning techniques, running is less effective as it doesn’t suit the MMA’s biodynamic structure. However, it doesn’t mean an MMA fighter shouldn’t run.

MMA focuses more on fighting techniques and muscle strengths, so MMA fighters typically will work on burning fat, strengthening their bodies, and improving flexibility instead.

When fighters get in the ring, they don’t run but work on their defense and combat skills. Many experienced MMA fighters who do run in training do it because they’ve attained the key essentials that make them better fighters.

Fighters must achieve high aerobic and anaerobic power levels to prevent them from injuries. To do so, they train at least twice a week, every day. As a result, fighters increase their training intensity while also reducing body fat (in combat sports such as MMA, a low-fat level — 12.25 ± 0.54% — is recommended).

For most MMA athletes, running is not enough to help them improve their fight performance. Sure, running long-distance can be beneficial for your stamina, but not good enough for a sport like MMA that requires high agility. Technical MMA already covers this, anyway, so running is not necessary.

Again, nothing is stopping you from running, so if you want to add it to your training routine, by all means, do it. Every fighter is different, after all. However, lots of intense training (not to the point where it can injure you, though) is your key to success in becoming the next best fighter.

How Much Do MMA Fighters Run?

MMA fighters who run usually spend between 30 minutes to an hour on endurance running. Most don’t prioritize running as part of their regular training and may skip running altogether.

Many MMA schools will encourage their students, especially beginners, to run around the training hall or out on the streets or in local parks. MMA schools typically don’t discriminate against anyone who wishes to learn MMA. You can take lessons even if you have the worst stamina or zero experience in MMA.

Considering that not everyone is physically fit, it makes sense to encourage new students to run in training. Running is one of the most basic conditioning techniques, after all.

As students make their way to the top, they can choose to focus on other conditioning techniques to make them better fighters next time.

Unless you are Georges St. Pierre (who doesn’t believe in strength and conditioning), there’s no reason to drop running or any form of conditioning from your training.

Many MMA fighters who don’t rely on running do sprints instead. Sprinting is basically running but at the highest body speed over a short time, usually 400m (0.4 km) or less.

Which Is Better for MMA: Jogging or Sprints?

Sprints are better for MMA because it helps athletes burn fat and increase lung capacity. In MMA, having a low-fat level is necessary for better performance. Higher lung capacity, on the other hand, is necessary for endurance.

Many people take breathing for granted; thus, they tend to take shorter, shallow breaths, which are not helpful to the body. However, taking a deep breath is important because it can give you a balanced mind and reduce your stress level. In MMA, breathing well is, in fact, a skill.

The goal of breathing well is to help you fight longer. Both jogging and sprints can help you improve your breathing quality. However, sprints can also help MMA fighters achieve stronger legs and burn fat quickly.

Sprints are useful, especially before fighters need to get their training done quickly, like for an upcoming match.

Since sprinting is a high-intensity workout, fighters can achieve more effective results in a short timespan only — plus, sprinting promotes EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) that allows your body to burn calories even after training.

On the other hand, jogging takes much more time (since it’s lighter) and burns very little fat.

Do MMA Fighters Have Rest Days?

MMA fighters have rest days. Rest days are important to help athletes replenish their energies after a long week of training. In addition, more rest days are necessary for MMA beginners because the first few weeks of training may be too tough for them.

Young inexperienced MMA fighters can also take fewer rest days (even one day of rest) as long as they can cope with training. More experienced MMA fighters usually don’t rest as much unless they’re badly injured.

High-level MMA fighters are used to hardcore training, so training has become part of their lifestyle thanks to conditioning. As a result, MMA fighters typically take only one day of rest a week.

Of course, when MMA fighters take extended rest days, they do that to recover from a match or before facing their upcoming matches.

New fighters usually struggle to know if their training is too much, putting them at risk of injuring themselves. However, more experienced fighters would know when to call it a day and give their body a rest.

Final Thoughts

MMA fighters do run, but usually at high speed, like sprints. Many MMA fighters don’t run much because they would rather focus on more effective conditioning techniques for endurance.

However, sprints are more popular among MMA fighters because, unlike jogging or long-distance running, sprints can help them burn calories in a shorter period.

MMA fighters can’t fight all day long, so they must rest. Experienced fighters usually dedicate a whole day to resting but will take extended rest days if they’re recovering from injuries or preparing for an upcoming fight. For MMA newbies, taking more rest days is recommended.

Interested in MMA? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training MMA, here is some of the gear I recommend:
Best Mouth Guard
Best MMA Gloves
Best Groin Protection
Best Rashguard
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

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