Most martial artists make this mistake… Do you?
You train hard and give it your all every session. But chances are you're selling yourself short every workout.
And the worst part is, you don't even realize it.
This comes
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Not because your technique is bad.
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Not because you are not in good condition.
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Not because of your experience.
But simply because you train with worn out equipment.
Most martial artists train for months or even years with worn-out equipment without realizing it.
Because a glove that still looks good can be completely damaged on the inside.
A head protector that felt 'fine' for years no longer absorbs impacts as it should.
The result? Every punch and kick goes right through your padding, dealing more damage than necessary.
But how do you know if your gear is truly protecting you? And perhaps even more importantly: How do you prevent yourself from realizing it's time for a replacement... when it's already too late?
If you want to know what the signs are to look out for, read on. In the next 3 minutes, you'll discover how you're risking unnecessary injury.
The invisible wear and tear you don't see until it's too late.
Most martial artists think they only need to replace their equipment when it shows significant wear and tear on the outside. But the appearance of your equipment says nothing about its condition.
For example, your boxing gloves absorb sweat with every workout. This sweat is eventually absorbed by your padding, making it softer over time.
This also means that your gloves can no longer sufficiently absorb the impact of your punches, which can cause problems with your knuckles.
The problem with this "invisible" wear and tear is that you don't notice it right away. The padding doesn't wear out overnight.
Often you only realise how bad your old gloves were when you put on a new set.
But if you train for too long with gloves that are actually due for replacement, one hard blow can leave your knuckles sore for weeks or months.
And of course we want to prevent this.
When is it time to replace your gear?
Now that we know that most martial artists use their equipment for much longer than is actually recommended, we want to know how to prevent this. Fortunately, there are clear signs that indicate when your equipment is no longer providing optimal protection.
Below you will find simple tests that will allow you to check if your equipment is still safe in just a few minutes.
Boxing gloves
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The "squeeze test" : This is the ultimate test for boxing gloves. Squeeze the padding around your knuckles. Can you feel your knuckles through it without pressing too hard? Then the gloves are no longer providing sufficient cushioning.
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Odor & moisture : Old sweat penetrates deep into the padding, making it softer. An extremely strong odor that you can't remove often means your gloves need replacing.
Shin guards
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Push on the foam layer : If you push and you immediately feel your shin, the padding is compressed and no longer provides enough protection.
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Permanent dents : Do you have one or more dents in the padding that won't go away? Then the padding is broken in those areas and your shin guards need replacing.
Head protection
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Compression test : Press the sides of the headgear with both hands. Does it spring back immediately? Then it's still good. If it remains dented, then the cushioning has decreased.
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Straps and Closures : Check that the Velcro closure is still securely fastened and does not come loose during movement.
Time for an upgrade?
If you've done any of the above tests and it turns out that your gear needs replacing, replace it.
Don't keep training with worn-out gear just because you think it'll last a little longer. Before you know it, you'll have an injury and will wish you'd replaced your equipment anyway.
Just as you want to stay in top condition yourself, the equipment you train with again and again must also be in top condition.
At The Fight Company you will find high-quality martial arts equipment that provides the right protection and supports you in your training.
Whether you're looking for new boxing gloves, shin guards, or something else, we have everything you need so you can train worry-free.