Fighting gear

kquiles1

Hi All,

I’m pretty new to martial arts. I practiced karate on and off 2 separate yrs as a teenager. I am now also training in Karate approaching a 1 1/2 years. I am currently a green belt ( in a white, blue, yellow, green, brown, black belt ranking system). In the type of Karate I practice we are not allowed to take kumite until green belt, in order to avoid injury from lack of experience. I’ve taken 4 kumite classes with gear as we are not allowed to fight without it. It feels big and bulky and I have trouble moving in it especially my chest protector. I’ve asked ppl in the dojo what they use, but I usually get go online they have better gear. If you use fighting gear in your sparring classes, what brands do you guys use? And any other advice?

Thanks!

Kiki

HeliumIsNoble

Everyone at my taekwondo club uses kit bought through the club. (I believe it invalidates the insurance if members use kit that isn't from an approved supplier, actually.)

My advice is primarily to buy stuff in your size (can be particularly awkward for us women) and practice. Sparring gear does feel horribly cumbersome at first, and there is no getting round it. You just have to stick with it.

However, that said, the old-fashioned chest guards like (https://goo.gl/images/6Zs2oy) are very light to wear. They also provide less protection, and blows to the chest hurt more.

Bianca42

We all wear the same gear, purchased through the school. (Century brand.) It was bulky and weird for a while, but I did get used to it. Give it a little time.

I just upgraded our nasty stinky gloves to washable ones and I wish I did it earlier.

kquiles1

Thanks! That’s the chest plate I use. Macho it was the smallest most protective guard. But I can’t get my arms around it really. I guess I have to master the twist to block as well!