MMA enthusiasm continues to grow, and staying safe and protected when training and sparring is crucial. Whether you’re a MMA newcomer or a seasoned fighter, every athlete knows the equipment makes a difference.
Every piece serves a specific training purpose to help propel you to the next level, whether that’s improving your fitness regimen or preparing for your next competition.
In this comprehensive guide, we outline the ultimate MMA equipment list, plus apparel and gear every athlete and gym owner should consider adding to their repertoire when they want to train harder and fight smarter.
Punching Bags for MMA Training
Whether you’re setting up a commercial MMA facility or a smaller at-home gym, you’ll want a variety of punching bags to build strength, improve quickness, and run through drills.
- Heavy Bags
Enter any boxing or MMA gym, and you’ll likely see a row of heavy bags. Their durability is perfect for group conditioning and cardio classes as well as individual power training.
- Freestanding Bags
Freestanding bags are a convenient option for home gym setups because they can be moved around as necessary to maximize workout space while offering similar benefits as a hanging heavy bag.
Shop Hayabusa 6ft Freestanding Heavy Bag
- Uppercut & Angle Bags
Smaller punching bags are ideal for targeted training, including focus on technique and skills like landing accurate uppercuts and body hooks.
- Reflex Bags
Reflex bags are necessary to test reaction time, speed and endurance, as well as enhance defensive quickness.
MMA Gloves & Hand Protection
Training with heavy bags requires wearing boxing or MMA gloves to protect the hands, knuckles, and wrists from repetitive strikes and knockout punches. It also ensures the safety of opponents when sparring.
- Training Gloves
With optimal versatility and unbeatable comfort and support, training gloves are a main component of an essential MMA gear collection. They provide a better grip when grappling while keeping the hands and knuckles protected.
- Sparring Gloves
Sparring gloves are composed of multi-layered foam padding for cushioned support to absorb impact and protect the hands, knuckles, and wrists. Their ergonomic design keeps the hands in alignment with each strike, allowing you to punch with comfort and confidence.
- Hand Wraps & Quick Wraps
Hand wraps provide extra cushioning before putting on sparring gloves, giving you the optimal amount of stretch and support.
Alternatively, Hayabusa’s Quick Hand Gel Hand Wraps are quick and convenient to wrap plus provide a hybrid gel/foam padding support to keep hands protected when sparring.
Coaching & MMA Training Gear
Once you start amping up your MMA workouts and begin working with coaches or sparring partners to improve performance, here is other essential equipment you’ll want to incorporate into your day-to-day.
- Focus Mitts
Focus mitts are important for partner training to help sharpen punches, refine technique, and improve timing. Use them for speed and precision drills as a way to get faster and more focused on your target.
- Thai Pads & Kick Shields
While focus mitts are mainly used for upper body work, pads and kick shields are crucial for practicing powerful kicks. Their durable structure is effective for impact absorption during high-intensity interval and/or resistance training.
Shop PTS3 Thai Pads
- Reflex Balls
Reflex balls are a small but mighty MMA tool that helps fighters develop their technique and improve core boxing skills, such as hand-eye coordination, rhythm, and focus. The lighter reflex ball is suitable for beginners, while the heavy reflex ball is ideal for advanced training with gloves.
Shop Boxing Reflex Ball Kit
Protective MMA Traiing Gear
Protective gear is also a necessary part of a full list of MMA gym equipment. Due to the combination of strikes and kicks in every training session, in addition to grappling, sparring, and every maneuver in between, keeping the rest of the body protected is a non-negotiable.
- Headgear
Individual heavy bag training doesn’t typically require the need to wear headgear. However, for sparring sessions and full-contact drills, you’ll want to keep the head comfortably protected without compromising your sight line.
Shop Headgear
- Mouthguards
Protect the jaw and teeth against injury by wearing a mouthguard when training, especially when performing drills with a coach or sparring partner. A misplaced strike can lead to disaster without the right kind of coverage.
- Shin Guards
Keep the shins safe by guarding against kicks that can lead to excessive bruising, discomfort, and injury. Because MMA training involves full-body movements, make sure the most vulnerable areas are covered.
- Groin & Chest Protectors
MMA training gear protection extends to the chest and groin areas. It’s important to wear protectors during live drills, intense sparring sessions, and competition.
Shop Groin Protectors
Hayabusa S4 Youth Shin Guards
Hayabusa T3 LX 4oz MMA Gloves
Hayabusa T3 MMA Headgear
Hayabusa Icon Kickboxing Shorts
MMA Apparel
Because MMA involves fighting on the feet as well as grappling on the mat, it’s necessary to shield the skin from mat burns and rashes by wearing the proper apparel.
- Rash Guards
Rash guards are lightweight and breathable yet durable to protect the upper body against mat injuries and help to prevent infections.
- Spats & Shorts
For similar coverage and flexibility for the lower half, spats and shorts keep it easy to move around with enough stretch and support for high-intensity workouts.
Shop Geo Jiu-Jitsu Spats Shop Icon Fight Shorts
- Sauna Suits
Though not a requirement for MMA training, many athletes swear by sauna suits to improve cardio conditioning and aid in cutting weight before competition.
Shop Sauna Suits
Conditioning Tools
Heavy bags, MMA gloves, and apparel, plus partner training equipment, round out the lineup of what’s needed for the ultimate MMA equipment list.
However, it’s beneficial to add a few conditioning tools as well. They don’t take up much room but can make a difference in your training and ensure you never miss a workout. These include:
- Jump ropes for cardio and footwork
- Medicine balls for endurance training
- Kettlebells for conditioning
- Resistance bands strength training
Add in the necessary conditioning tools to make your gym complete, so you always have what you need to train your best.
Train Harder, Faster, Smarter with Hayabusa’s Essential MMA Gear
The right MMA gym equipment instantly elevates your training and keeps you safe and protected as you build up your power and performance.
Keep your gym well-stocked with award-winning MMA equipment, gear, and apparel from Hayabusa. Start with the must-haves like a heavy bag and MMA gloves, and build out your training arsenal from there.
Need gear for your gym, studio, or retail store? We offer exclusive wholesale opportunities for qualified partners. Contact us for wholesale inquiries, and let’s create your dream training space together.
