Here at Max, we emphasize safety and quality. That is why it is no surprise that we look for these qualities in our fitness equipment.

Sensei Gabe writes about the importance of one type of fitness gear he loves: sparring gear!

Sensei Gabe writes:

We as consumers should carefully consider the quality of said gear to defend ourselves and our children.

The issue of distinguishing quality comes in a day and age where anyone can sell their product online and espouse enticing facts (maybe) on why their product is the perfect one. Therefore, we must be diligent when acquiring gear, especially when the right equipment can last years. For your convenience, here is a list of three tips that the Max Academy team and staff use to ensure the quality of equipment used by our students and us.

Use the Same Gear That We Do

We thoroughly vet every item in our dojo. As part of the Max Academy team, writing this tip without a certain level of bias is difficult. If there is other gear apart from that which we sell that tickles your fancy, we say more power to you! If you are in our program, we require that you come to us for gear approval as many knock-offs can seriously injure yourself and others.

The fact remains, however, that many of our instructors and black belts use their gear heavily in training. VERY heavily. In our time in business, we have gone through multiple types and brands of sparring gear. Currently, we utilize two leading brands: Revgear and Hayabusa. Both have been thoroughly tested by our staff members and are well-reputed in the martial arts community. Hayabusa is a higher-end gear type; it offers some of the best quality we have tested. Revgear is a high-quality brand, and it remains affordable. I exclusively use both brands in my own training.

For Max Family Members: Follow Max Academy Gear Parameters

We are right there with you if you choose to brave the sea of options. Please understand that we will need to OK the brand before use in classes, so be sure you show us first before purchasing. The last thing we want is for you to buy a set of gear that you can’t use! The three pieces of equipment we use are boxing gloves, headgear, and shin guards. Mouth guards and cups are recommended but not required.

Be sure that in buying, you buy boxing gloves! There are many types of gloves, but these are the only ones safe enough for our kinds of sparring. So once again, please check with us first so that we can ensure your gear is secure and sufficient for both the trainer and their partners.

Use Discretion

I know, duh. Buying the right gear is a big decision. It can amount to a good deal of money for quality equipment. The majority of the time, you will get what you pay for. If you see a pair of cheap gloves and think it’s too good to be true, it probably is. These gloves will not last, and they threaten the health of the user and the recipient. I once bought the cheaper gear, and I regretted it. Buy good gear, and you shouldn’t have to purchase it again for a good while.

It is worth underscoring that while it may hurt your wallet initially to buy a good pair of gear for yourself or your kids, I genuinely believe it will benefit them in the long run. Safe, hard training is something they will not only benefit from, but it can shape them for the rest of their lives.

We’ll see you out there!

Disclaimer: Statements on this blog reflect the author’s personal opinions and do not represent the author’s employer, past or present, or any other organization with which the author may be affiliated. They are for the purpose of general knowledge. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting fitness and nutrition programs. The author and blog disclaim liability for any damage, mishap, or injury that may occur from engaging in any activities or ideas from this site. We do not receive any commission from the brands listed above.