Fightwear that doesn’t look and feel clean and new can distract you from the task at hand. Proper care and maintenance of your fight wear will keep it in top condition, allowing you to perform at your best every time you wear it. Engage Fightwear aims to provide their customers with the finest fight wear available, as well as to help our customers maintain their fight wear so that they’re able to get the most out of it! In this blog post, we’ll run through 10 awesome tips for maintaining your fight wear!
1) The magic of vinegar
Vinegar is a natural deodorizer, so if you want your belt and shorts to smell nice and stay smelling nice, make sure to rinse them after every workout. Vinegar also acts as an antibacterial agent. So if your fight gear tends to stink really badly even after multiple washes, soak it in vinegar overnight.
2) How to clean fight shorts
If you are an avid fighter and have more than one pair of fight shorts, it’s imperative that you understand how to take care of them. This is important because your fight shorts can be a huge help during a competition or sparring session.
3) Fight sports don’t come cheap, be economical
A big bag of mixed martial arts gear will often set you back between $150 and $200. This includes your mouth guard, hand wraps, boxing gloves, shin guards, groin protector, and headgear—and that’s just for starters. Also, consider that high-quality fight wear lasts only a handful of months if it isn’t properly cared for.
4) Wear underwear when you train
Before you hit the mats, take off your pants and switch into a fresh pair of training briefs. The padding will protect you from falls and avoid chafing that might otherwise interrupt your session. Also, remember that cotton absorbs sweat and makes a great breeding ground for bacteria; stick with anti-microbial fabrics like polyester when you train. These fabrics are breathable, allow airflow, and quickly wick moisture away from your skin so that you don’t get stinky during or after a workout.
5) After the training session do this
After your training session, take a look at your gear and give it a good clean. Even if you aren’t planning on using that gi again soon, try not to leave it all over your room; let it air out properly after a couple of days. The smell of old sweat is tough on laundry and tough on fabric, so avoid wearing one more time than you have to.
6) Clean gloves before use and wipe them down after use
It’s important that you give your gloves a good scrub before and after every use. A lot of people forget about cleaning their gloves when they’re on a winning streak, but keeping them clean ensures you aren’t introducing any germs or bacteria into your next fight. And even if you don’t plan on stepping back into the ring for some time, it’s still important to take proper care of your glove, as getting it wet during storage can lead to mold growth.
7) Avoid sparring without hand wraps
Sparring without hand wraps puts you at risk of getting injured. The added protection means you’re less likely to injure your hands, wrists, and fingers. Sparring without hand wraps exposes your skin and bones to injury. Wearing hand wraps will help absorb most of the damage inflicted during a sparring session.
8) Don’t forget feet protection too
Gloves are a great place to start but don’t forget about your feet. Without appropriate socks and shoes, your hands will be taking a lot of punishment and can sustain injuries that may require long-term rehabilitation.
It’s crucial that you invest in good quality fight wear for your hands, elbows, knees, and shins; however, don’t underestimate how important it is to have solid footwear on your feet too. For an average training session or two a week, budgeting around $250 is perfect; while if you train regularly (three or more times per week) then investing over $500 may be best.
9) Don’t forget head protection either
It’s easy to overlook your head when selecting equipment, but remember that you do not get extra points for knocking out your opponent by hitting him or her in the head. If you’re going to throw an elbow, make sure it’s not coming back around towards your own noggin.
It is important to maintain your fight wear since it could be a life or death situation. Keeping your gear clean and well-maintained can not only improve longevity but also help prevent infections by removing harmful bacteria. Don’t forget: for all of your fight wear needs, especially your Engage Fightwear.
