Under Construction.. New updates to come!
Introduction
There are many different types of gear out in the market today – and each one says ‘they’re first, they’re best, and they all have a celebrity endorsing their product. So the question is really “how can I make an informed decision about sparring gear”?
The answer involves four elements.
- Your specific application
- The level of safety you want to achieve,
- materials, and,
- New For This edition, Vested Interests or “don’t believe everything you read!!”
- Recommendations
Before we get ‘into it’, we define or segment our customers into four different applications categories;
Full Contact Fighters (and those that like to play rough)
This category is for MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Fighters, Boxers, Muay Thai Fighters and American Style Kickboxers
Point Fighters
Many under-estimate the level of contact faced by point fighters. The gear has to be lightweight for quick movement while providing a high level of safety
Weekend Warriors
This category is for the fighter that works out a few times per week with limited levels and time for contact work
Kids (A)5-12 (B)12-18
We broke this category up for one simple reason – theres a huge difference between a 5 year old and a 15 year old. Sounds like common sense? You bet, but most companies are there to sell product to the masses with little concern for safety based on applications and profiles.
Applications
This is probably the most important aspect of buying gear, because it’s all about how you. How you train, your strengths and weakness’ and your physical condition. You have to ask yourself, what is my training routine, what elements do I want to add and, then, what equipment will be best suited for these purposes?
The key is to buy equipment that compliments your training, do not focus your training around the equipment!
Heres a few examples based on Primetime products;
Example #1
Profile – Older MMA fighter, still training competitively, sustained several hand and wrist injuries over the years
Application – Wants a MMA training glove that protects his hands
Product – Primetime has 5 MMA gloves in the product line. This fighter needs our special ‘combat pad™ found in our PT950 or PT960 Series MMA Gloves. The combat pad is available in two thickness’ depending upon the fighter’s preferences. Additionally, these gloves have an extra long wrist wrap that provides extra support.
He should not buy an event style glove as these are designed to stop an opponent and do not provide the same level of hand or wrist protection. Keep hands healthy when training – use competition gloves only in the ring..
Example#2
Profile – a new kid, about 20 years old that is just beginning his training
Application – needs a headgear that will protect his face, but give him flexibility to train hard for boxing and Muay Thai drills
Product Answer– Primetime has a headgear that is great for training. It has a removable steel cage. When he’s working specific drills where his partner will be jabbing to the face, the shield stays on. When he’s working boxing drills with a partner that will result only in head shots, but he will not take any direct face shots, he can take off the cage. In this way, he is protected till he gains proficiency. Then the cage stays off! Bottom line – keep your nose straight till you have the confidence and skills to train with the ‘big guys’
Example #3
Profile – Lady Thai Fighter/Instructor/Trainer.
Application – Looking to deal with an alternative to the Standard 16X8X5 Thai Pad. These are too large and unwieldly for many trainers to hold for long periods of time. For many women, they are too heavy and need constant adjustment
Product Answer – Primetime’s ‘Mini’ Thai Pad Set. These pads are only 12X4X3.5. They are still 3.5” thick and can take a pounding. But they are much lighter, easier on the shoulders and elbow and have a slimmer profile (1/2 the width of a standard pad) and easier to manage. Plus, many instructors use these for speed drills.
As you can see, by establishing an understanding what you want, you can then get the gear that will help you to perform. That’s why most of our product is identified by application as well as discipline
Level Of Safety
Very important. For example, most kids who train do not find the same level of contact that adults have to manage. Kids also need extra care because, depending on the age, they’re bodies are still forming. Adults, on the other hand always have the option of ‘play time’ after the softer classes have ended.
Naturally the type of training should play a role. Most Full Contact Fighters need a higher caliber equipment than a Point Fighter? Sound logical? Well, I can’t tell you how many times that I’ve seen full contact amateur kickboxers walk into a ring with Dipped Foam Headgear!
For those of you that are unaware, Dipped Foam is generally found in point fighting tournaments. In my opinion, dipped foam is built for speed, not for heavy duty protection. It does not breathe well and is not built to the safety levels of most ‘boxing’ headgear. Why, you may ask, do we find kickboxers using dipped form kicks in the ring? Simple, they’re trying to stop the opponent. They want the thinnest, oldest, most degraded kicks they can find so that the opponent feels every blow. Is that what you want your kid’s training partners to be wearing when they train?
Same with all different brands of gear. Top Ten make a great headgear that is used by full contact fighters. However, if you have concerns about ear or cheek protection, than you’re better off with a more heavily padded boxing style headgear.
Heres a few examples relating to the Safety Issues-
Example #1
Profile – amateur kickboxer that wants a good event headgear, with good protection that provides vision and check protection
Preferences – knows that vision is critical and understands that most boxing headgear is too bulky i.e. they actually obscure vision. Boxing headgear is made to protect from shots that come from the hands that generally come from chest and shoulder level (watch our for uppercuts!) They do not consider vision concerns for the legs, knees and even the elbow shots.
Primetime Answer – As detailed above, you have to have the right equipment for the sport. In this case, primetime offers a ‘pro’ style headgear for kickboxers that provides great vision. It still has cheek protection, but provides for peripheral vision also. It is lightweight
Example #2
Profile – ‘weekend warrior’ Thai boxer that wants to train, but has much pain in the shins
Preferences – Thai boxing means that you use the shin extensively as both weapon and for blocking. If you don’t keep the shin ‘forged’ there will be pain – every weekend
Primetime Answer – We developed a shin guard that provides flexibility for all sorts of training. If you want to forge your shin, use a thinner pad. If you want to protect an injury, double up or use a thick pad. It’s a way to keep you in the game
Other Aspects Of Safety For Parents To Consider
Obviously a full contact fighter will need protective gear that promotes safety while providing freedom of movement and clear vision. However, for all those who consider light contact or point fighting a hobby, remember that you have to guard not only against your opponents punches and kicks, but you need to consider the circumstances and environment. What do I mean by that? Here are some examples;
1)Gyms and martial arts schools that have pillers (padded and not padded) in the middle of the floor
2)Nasty sparring partners who think they have something to prove
3)Martial Arts tournaments for kids held on wood or (worse yet) concrete floors! No pads only ‘taped’ rings laid out on the floor
4)Martial Arts tournaments with pads on concrete floors. No aprons. Folks are routinely knocked off these mats and onto the concrete.
5)Opponents with real worn out kicks and punches. These are allowed in many tournaments and boxing events and can inflict serious punishment as the materials have degraded.
6)Uneven physical match-ups. This is particularly prevalent on the martial arts circuits. A 13 year old can weigh 80 or 130 lbs and stand 4 ft or 5 ft. tall! That’s a formula that will lead to kids injury
Because 'Contact Is Our Business' we feel that you should be knowledgeable about all aspects of the sport. So when you consider safety, don’t just think about the obvious. These are important considerations that you or your children will have to deal with on a regular basis
Materials
Post 2000 Closed Cell Materials
In the past, only open cell products could stand for safety and durability. Now, with newer material chemistry, Post 2000 closed cell materials offer outstanding protection, yet are more lightweight than the open cell materials. These products tend to offer the fighters the best value for their dollar as this material is now generally available for manufacture making it less expensive for the fighters.
Advantage
Lightweight, durable and offers outstanding protection. Energy flows around the cells or thru channels created during the tooling stages. Premium product and a mid range price. Great Value
Disadvantage
Confusion - do not confuse Post 2000 State of The Art Padding with the old style padding you see in most boxing and martial arts products today. There is a significant difference in quality.
At Primetime we use the Post 2000 Padding exclusively. That’s why we can offer you great products, with outstanding protection. Our Combat Pad™ found in our MMA Training Gloves is a great example. Bulked up and lightweight, it offers boxing glove protection without the weight. Great for grappling and hand protection. We sell a ton of these gloves simply because our competition is still using old style, layered padding. Compare against any glove, Primetime is lighter, and absorbs the shock.
Open Cell Materials
We identify Bayfill and Bayflex as examples here because, to our knowledge, it has been considered the premium open cell product available. At one time, Top Ten Bayflex padding set the standard for full contact and heavy sparring. The open cell product absorbs and diffuses energy from a strike better than standard Pre 2000 closed cell materials and maintains its integrity longer than most dipped foam padding. Bayfill is licensed exclusively by Top Ten
Advantage –These items are considered top grade. The bayflex items are hygienic and extremely durable and the leather encased items are good quality.
New Testing Results - Has technology caught up with the folks at Top Ten? According to a study, put out by Macho products, the bayflex headgear did not perform to the level of the other headgear. Is the study right or wrong? It’s not for me to say in the context of this column. However, it does prove our point – science has developed products that are now provide excellent alternatives that have attributes superior to Open Cell padding
Disadvantage – These open cell items are premium and are more expensive than most items found in the ring today. However, they are durable Many fighters complain about the rubber feel or don't like the ridged feel or weight of the product.
Closed Cell Padding Pre - 2000
Found in every other boxing glove and headgear. This is your basic thick layered padding that has been around since the steam engine. It does provide a buffer, but tends to localize the energy from a strike. This is what you find at the mainstream stores.
Advantage– these are products that have been around for decades and are therefore very familiar to the public. The two, three or four and sometimes 5 layered product provides a good deal of protection
Disadvantage– the padding degrades and therefore loses its integrity. By using so many layers, the padding is cumbersome, heavy and obscures vision. Additionally, the leather is generally porous. That smell in your bag or at the gym is all the sweat and gross stuff that has found a way to get inside the leather gear and is now made the padding it’s ‘home’.
Dipped Foam Gear
Ranging in thickness of ½” to 7/8” this is gear that is dominant within the martial arts industry. It is also the most misused as this product was originally developed as poolside floatation devices that were reformed for the martial arts. Dipped foam means that you have a layer of foam that is dipped in a liquid plastic between 2 and 5 times.
Advantage–lightweight. Kicks and punches are good for low contact point fighting. Very inexpensive.
Disadvantage– - I question the level of protection to your hands and feet for more advanced, full contact practitioners. As far as headgear is concerned, I have serious reservations. I feel much more comfortable with some of the new Macho product, but when it comes to standard dipped foam headgear, I will not sell it to a kid over the age of 13.
Vested Interest or ‘Don’t Believe Everything You Read’
Think about this statement. Do you buy product because it is endorsed, , official and advertised? Or do you buy gear because you have researched all the issues?
Take a look at what this means. It is the constant battle between substance and style
Official Glove of XYZ organization – What must one do have a company’s glove become the official equipment of an organization? It’s simple. It comes down to money. Think about this – VISA is the official credit card of the Olympics. Whats the difference between VISA, Mastercard, AMEX etc? What makes VISA official? Because they paid for the exclusion of others!
Now apply that concept to buying equipment. The largest guys on the block are the only ones who can afford these types of programs. Why? Because they sell gear that is generally acceptable to the whole market – the 30MM or so, cardio-kickboxers and martial artists that need low end product which is found at the retail stores, the biggest tournament booths or the largest number of ads in your favorite magazines.
Bottom line? If a company focus is on the major part of the market (dominated by kids, point karate and extreme patterns) than their presence in the full contact market is strictly for window dressing.
Endorsements and Product Placements – Gee, how does that happen? Do they really use this gear? Do you think the gear you see on some TV shows just happen to be what was bought by the gym? Of course not, it’s all about product placement and endorsement fees. It’s rarely about the quality of the products. That’s not to say that some quality items can’t be found. It’s just stating that you need to look at all this more critically.
Event or Tournament Exclusivity – Ever go to the largest of tournaments and events? Take a look at the vendors and the banners. Generally they’re from the same companies. Why? Well, they paid for exclusivity. They paid to keep other gear out. You only see what you are meant to see!
Here’s something that you can believe. NextMove Gear and Primetime have never paid sponsor fees or endorsement monies. We have the WKA –USA endorsement because we have superior gear and service. Same with the Montana Fight Federation, the Legends of Fighting series and many others. No pro and amateur fighter on our website or in our ads are paid for their image or endorsements. We’ve been in business for 5 years because fighters believe in what we do. We’re a small company that has it’s focus on the right thing. Quality gear for full contact fighters.
Vested interest. That’s what you should be looking for when someone recommends fight gear. I’ve been involved in this sport/art/ for quite a while now and I can only tell you one thing – When it comes to equipment– this is a business. So remember what you’ve been told and by who. Then find out why.
Conclusion – Why Do You Use ‘White Belt’ Equipment
One of my favorite things I ask instructors and black belts is “Why do you use the same products as a ‘senior’ that you bought when you were a white belt? Is your training the same? Is your level of contact still lightweight? Has your (and your opponents) technique not improved therefore generating even more power? Do you only spar with juniors? Do you not practice hybrid techniques found in Jiu-Jitsu or Thai Boxing? Are you not learning from masters of other disciplines?
If the answer is no, to all the above, then this guide has little meaning to you. However, if your one of the new breed of fighters than, I know, you got something from reading the information above. Thanks for spending time with us!
Recommendations
Full Contact Fighters
Headgear –We’ve always liked the Top Ten Headgear for competitions – even though we don’t sell it anymore! For Training our Removeable Cage Headgear is our preference
(Click here to view Primetime’s Headgear with Remove-able Cage)
Boxing Gloves –PrimeTime’s Hybrid Event and Training Gloves offer the best value and outstanding protection. The Post 2000 material and hand compartment design will be good to your hands and last a long time at very affordable price.
Click here to see NextMove Gear’s exclusive PrimeTime Brand Hybrid Boxing Gloves .
MMA Gloves (also known as Mixed Martial Arts Gloves, NHB-No Hold's Barred Gloves etc)
For training, the level 4 (Primetime 960/961 series) provides outstanding hand protection while still still being flexible enough for grappling and cross training
Competitions and Events are another issue. Here you want a Level 2 Competition Glove. For strikers, go with the PT900 and Grapplers should gravitate to the PT981. Check the items for more information
Click here to see NextMove Gear’s exclusive PrimeTime Brand Competion and Training MMA Gloves.
Kicks
Top Pro is our choice as the number one kick available. No other kick is so lightweight while being so heavily padded. Additionally, these kicks will last 5-50 times longer than any dipped foam kick on the market today.
Click here to see NextMove Gear exclusive Top Pro kicks.
Shin Guards and Groin Protector–Check out our new Primetime NEO shin and instep protectors. The features, quality and protection put this item in a group all it’s own
Click here to see PrimeTime’s NEO Shin & Instep.
Martial Arts Point Fighters
Headgear – I believe in Top Ten because you don’t want to take chances with your (or your kids) heads. But dipped foam is not a bad alternative for kids <13 years of age
Punches – For point sparring, a dipped foam punch is adequate.
Kicks – The best value is the PrimeTime Kick. It is the safest and most durable. Dipped foam kicks rip quite easily, but the PrimeTime will last for years while lightweight so you can maintain that edge for speed
Shin Guards and Groin Protectors – A cloth shinguard will be ok most of the time. However, for those who have chronically sore shins or who clash shins frequently the Primetime Neo Shin and Instep product will provide you with more protection.
Weekend Warriors
For those of us that have lost our 'invincibility' and getting up in age, go for the PrimeTime gloves, Top Pro kicks and a good training headgear. These will provide you with great protection. Remember that broken fingers can't 'hit' the keyboard, a broken foot makes it tough to get to meetings on time and concussions or headaches are just simply not worth the price that it costs to spend a few extra $$ for quality equipment. 'Nuff' said.
Kids 5-12
Headgear –dipped foam headgear is the minimum. Kids this age don’t hurt themselves with punches and kicks, they injure themselves by falling.
Punches and Kicks – At this age, dipped foam is adequate
Shin Guards and Groin Protectors – Cloth and basic cups and supporters will be ok
Kids 12-18
Headgear – Time to take the NextMove and upgrade to a Primetime Headgear
Punches and Kicks – dipped foam is adequate for the hobbyist. But the kicks should be PrimeTime – this brand will save you money by reducing the number of kicks you will have to replace.
Shin Guards and Groin Protectors. Same as above. It depends on your application
Note From The President - The choices and recommendations above are based on our opinion and consider safety first and then value. That is a responsibility that we don't take lightly. Our business is growing while others falter because we are trusted to bring safety and value to the fighters. We've worked hard for that repuation and intend to enhance our standing in the ringsport community by continuing to be the first choice of serious ringsport athletes everywhere.
Mark Wodika President NextMove Gear/www.primetimefighter.com |
