Author Archives: MMAFightwear

What are Handwraps and why are they important

Handwraps can be worn in any combat sport which involves striking such as Boxing and Muay Thai. They provide hand protection and wrist support if worn correctly. Helping to protect all the small bones and joints in your hands.

If you have never worn a pair of Handwraps before or would just like to know how to put them on properly then click here to read our how-to guide.

Handwraps generally go under your boxing gloves to provide you with extra support while you train. You will sometimes see people with just their wraps on during activities like shadow boxing, light pad work or even using a double-ended bag. They help to prevent injuries, provide you with a secure fit and allow you to endure extra rounds.

Types of Handwraps

There are three main types of Handwraps, Traditional, Mexican Style and Quick-Gel Handwraps. Each has its advantages and offer slightly different Boxing protection. We will go through them all now so you can make the right decision when buying yours.

Traditional Style

Traditional style handwraps are made from 100% cotton and for decades they were the standard in the industry. They have been around for hundreds of years but came into full use in the 1920s and they have been used ever since.

They are normally a cheaper option and tend to hold their shape very well. Traditional wraps seem to last for longer than Mexican style wraps as they don’t have any elastic which can start to break down over time.

Cotton no stretch handwraps

Unfortunately, you will not get the perfect fit like with Mexican though as they can be quite rigid. As newer technology has come out over the years the way handwraps have been made has changed. Traditional style handwraps still use 100% cotton which is no longer the best way to protect your hands.

Mexican Style

Mexican style handwraps have only been around for about 20 years. Even though they are a lot newer on the boxing scene they are now the most popular choice used by boxers everywhere. They are normally slightly more expensive than their cotton counterpart. This is because they are made from a durable, semi-elastic material that conforms to your hand.

They provide you with a more secure and flexible fit. Made from a blend of 50% cotton and 50% nylon. They are ultra-soft, breathable and help to keep your hands comfortable while training.

They are also fine to go in the washing machine. It is recommended that you wash your wraps once a week to keep them clean and fresh. You should put them on a cold wash and in a wash bag as well to protect them.

Quick Handwraps or Fast Handwraps

Quick-gel red handwraps

Quick-Gel Handwraps are an even more expensive option again. Lots of people see these as the smart choice as you can slide your handwraps on and off in seconds. It takes a fraction of the time to put these on compared to the other two options. And you also don’t have to worry about rolling them back up after training either.

They don’t provide you with as much of a secure fit compared to the Mexican style but lots of people tend to pick quick wraps due to the ease of use. They take less than 30 seconds to put on and they tend to last for longer than standard handwraps if looked after correctly as well.

Tape and Gauze

Another less popular type of protection you may come across are Tape and Gauze. Used by pros in competitive fights, they provide the best support and protection. These are only really used by the professionals during competitive fights so your average everyday boxer may have never seen these before.

They will be applied by an expert before the fight and will need to be cut off after. They provide you with the best fit of any handwraps if applied correctly but due to the fact they can only be used once they are not a viable alternative for everyday training.

When should you wear handwraps

You should wear handwraps anytime you are training Martial Arts. If you are Boxing, Kickboxing or training Muay Thai it is recommended you wrap your hands. This goes for pad work or sparing at the end of a class, and especially for heavy bags.

You are giving your hands the best possible protection and also allowing yourself to train as hard as possible while reducing the chances of injury. Some people think handwraps are for extra padding but they are actually to provide support for your hands and wrists. They hold all of the bones and joints together properly in your hand to prevent fractures or RSI (repetitive strain injury)

If you ever watch Muay Thai fighters or professional Boxers like Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua, they will always have their hands wrapped. Your gloves offer a lot of protection but handwraps provide you with something extra. They keep everything tight and compact and practically act as a wrist brace. There is a reason almost every single traditional martial art, like Kung Fu or Thai Boxing, make use of handwraps.

What length should you pick

Most handwraps are 180″ or 4.5 meters long, this goes for traditional and Mexican style wraps. Generally, you will find that this length fits perfectly but some people who wear smaller gloves may struggle to get theirs to fit correctly.

Especially for children, 180″ will normally be too long. The handwraps will seem bulky and their gloves will not fit properly. We advise getting a pair of smaller handwraps such as 120″ which will offer the correct protection. They will fit comfortably while still providing you with the right support.

How to look after your handwraps

Just like with your boxing gloves it is best to let your handwraps dry after training. The worst thing you can do is roll them straight back up and put them in your sweaty gym bag. Ideally, you would leave them somewhere to air out and dry before rolling them back up.

It is also recommended to wash them once a week. This helps to clean any bacteria off and keep them smelling fresh. You may want to invest in a wash bag as well, this will protect your handwraps and washing machine and they are relatively cheap as well.

When should I replace my handwraps

You should look to replace your handwraps every 2 years. One of the main reasons people look to replace theirs is due to the smell but the main reason is that you won’t be getting the correct protection anymore. Handwraps will start to degrade from the inside first where you can’t see before they start to fray or tear. Especially, with Mexican style wraps, the elastic will start to break down and you won’t be getting the same protection anymore.

Our thoughts

It doesn’t matter if you train full time in a Muay Thai gym or are just trying to lose weight in a Boxing class, you should always wrap your hands. If you want to get the best protection then Mexican style handwraps are the way to go. They provide you with the best fit thanks to their ultra-soft and breathable material and they are not too much more expensive than traditional wraps.
If however you are not training every day or you simply don’t want to spend the first half of your class wrapping your hands then the best way to go is quick-gel handwraps. They are easy to put on and it will take you less than 30 seconds to wraps your hands. You will not have to roll them back up either after training.

We offer a wide range of handwraps and protective gloves which you can find on our website here. If you are new to Martial Arts and not sure what type of Boxing gloves to pick then read our blog here to help you make the best decision.


Hayabusa’s Silver Infused Range Helps Protect You

It has been well-documented that Silver is antimicrobial. This is just a fancy way of saying that it kills microorganisms and stops their growth. Silver has been shown to kill bacteria, fungus and certain viruses. It is the positively charged Silver ions (Ag+) that cause this effect. 

In simple terms the silver will block the bacterial respiratory system, destroying the energy production of the cell. And in the end the cell will burst and the bacteria will be destroyed. We have implemented this into Hayabusa’s Silver Infused products to help protect you.

We decided to investigate this several years ago and were amazed how effective Silver was at stopping odor causing bacteria cells. Our plan was to offer something that no one else on the market was at the time. So we started looking at ways that we could implement this technology into our products.

Hayabusa’s Silver Infused Odor Resist Rashguard

The long sleeve Hayabusa Odor Resist rashguard is the best performing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu compression top that we have released to date. It helps to protects your skin from abrasions and keeps your muscles warm and engaged. It wicks away any sweat while you are training and helps to control your body temperature.

This quick drying men rash also offer you sun protection. So you can wear this at the beach or while you are surfing and you won’t have to worry about any sun damage on the parts of your body that it is covering.

We used the renowned XT2® fabric in this rash vest and also increased the amount of silver from our previous generation. This rash uses co-extruded silver threads which prevents sweat eating microbes from growing on it.

This helps to keep you protected because it stops the spread of ringworm. And everyone knows how much of a pain that can be. Our selection of rash guards can be found here.

Hayabusa's Silver Infused Odor Resist Rashguard

Hayabusa’s Silver Infused T3 Boxing Gloves

We understand the need to protect your gloves. Far too many pairs of Boxing gloves become unusable due to smell. You fully open your gloves up after training and you leave them to air our in a cool dry place but a few months down the line and they are already making your training partners turn away when they see you coming.

That’s why we decided to use XT2 technology in our T3 range. The fabric that we use contains natural Silver and that helps to combat bacteria. This in turn helps to keep your gloves smelling fresher, for longer.

Our Boxing equipment is second to none and the T3 Boxing Gloves can be used as Bag Gloves or Sparring Gloves making them the perfect option for use on punch bags or any martial arts which involves striking.

Hayabusa's Silver Infused T3 Boxing Gloves

Check out our T3 Boxing Gloves here.

Hayabusa’s Silver Infused LX Range

We have also used this technology in our entire LX range. So our Boxing Gloves, Headguard, Shinguards, 4oz and 7oz MMA Gloves all offer this protection as well. As LX is our premium range we wanted to make sure it would last for as long as possible and this is why we have used XT2®. Our equipment is built to last years but the one problem we had with previous Kanpeki generations was the smell.

When we first found out about this Silver infused technology we knew we had to start using it. Our Kanpeki/LX leather range was the first thing that we implemented this anti odor technology on. Over 5 years later and tens of thousands of sales later it’s safe to say we made the right decision. We didn’t just make your equipment smell better we actually gave you a few more years of use out of it.

LX Boxing Gloves with Hayabusa's Silver Infused Technology

XT2® How It Works

Naturally occurring bacteria utilise sweat which results in byproducts. These byproducts are what cause your equipment to start to smell. However, when you get sweat on a rashguard that used XT2®, the technology is activated and the process of odor elimination begins.

So when you start to inhibit bacteria on the surface any odor is eliminated. This is the technology which helps to keep our equipment smelling fresh and allows you to train in them for longer.

Silver has natural antimicrobial properties which is why it’s used in the medical industry. This technology is actually quite old and it was actually used in ancient Greece to inhibit bacterial growth.

XT2® incorporates pure silver into the thread so when we are sewing our rash guards the Silver is built into the material. This helps to provide permanent anti-odour protection. Not a nanotechnology or a complex chemical formula, just Silver.

The Difference Between MMA And Hybrid Gloves

The main difference between MMA and Hybrid gloves is the padding they provide. MMA gloves only have 4oz’s of padding and hybrid gloves normally have 7oz’s. Certain gloves might come with more and you can find gloves available with between 8 – 10oz online.

Black 4oz MMA Gloves

MMA gloves are mainly used in fights as opposed to mixed martial arts training because you will be hitting a lot harder and there is less padding to protect your training partner. Hybrid gloves are a mix between MMA gloves and boxing gloves. They still have the ends cut off so your fingers are free to grip but they provide almost double the amount of padding as 4oz gloves. They are mainly used for training as they offer more protection.

Red 7oz Hybrid Gloves

The Hayabusa T3 MMA and Hybrid gloves are both ideal for combat, sparring or striking. They come with our patented Dual-X closure system which provides unmatched hand and wrist support. And the pre-curved design of the gloves helps reduce hand fatigue during sparring. Making these gloves perfect for athletes of all levels and especially beginners.

MMA Dual-X Closure

The Hayabusa Y-Volar design delivers superior stability and control over standard MMA gloves. This design helps to provide you with a consistent fit that stays securely in place whether you’re grappling or striking. The attention to detail and craftsmanship guarantees a glove as durable and resilient as you.

Y-Volar design on the white T3 7oz gloves

Kanpeki LX Gloves

There are lots of options on the market for MMA gloves and then there is the Kanpeki LX range.

Kanpeki LX 7oz Gloves

The most admired glove in our range, is now handcrafted with luxurious full-grain 100% Italian leather. The Kanpeki LX Hybrid gloves are renowned because they are built using only the finest materials and they are hand crafted by specialists. Their incredible fit and stylish old school look makes these gloves truly something special.

What Makes Our MMA and Hybrid Gloves Special

All of our T3 gloves are infused with a silver lining which helps to keep your gloves fresher for longer. And our top-grade foam complex doesn’t need breaking in either. So your new gloves will feel perfectly comfortable from the first punch.

This foam complex absorbs impact and dissipates energy immediately so you are ready to throw the next punch right away. Our gloves ultra-durable outer shell has been scientifically tested. It has superior crack resistance and tear strength than any other glove on the market.

Lots of people opt to wear hand wraps with a pair of MMA gloves and we always recommend that you go a size up. if you would like to as well. As our gloves feature the Dual-X closure system and Y-Volar design you can normally wear a pair of gloves which are a little bit to big. So even if you do not want to wear you hand wraps one day you shouldn’t have any problem training in your gloves. But if your gloves are a tight fit and you try to wear wraps you might end up cutting off the blood supply which you should avoid doing while you train.

If you would like to find out more about the different type of gloves and when they should be used. Then click here to read our blog.

What Are Spats And Why Should I Wear Them?

Spats is just a cooler way of saying leggings for guys that train martial arts. Some people don’t see the appeal of them, while others couldn’t think of getting on the mats without them.

Spats Can Help To Protect You

They are a similar design to rashguards but instead of protecting your upper body and arms they cover your legs. Spats are great for preventing mat burn or any small cuts that you may get when someone catches you with their nails.

They also do a great job of preventing any bacteria or dirt from getting inside any open wounds that you already have. This helps reduce your chances of that cut getting infected. And probably the main reason people wear them is to stop catching getting ringworm.

Hayabusa’s new Geo spats help to optimise your body’s temperature while you are training to allow you to maintain maximum muscle function. The spats come with reinforced stitching to ensure the best durability possible. And our inner silicone banding around the waist helps to keep them in place during training.

Hayabusa Geo spats waistband

They Can Help Improve Your Training

Our Geo spats were designed to allow free-flowing unrestricted movement and to feel incredibly comfortable with a standard form fit. The Geo Jiu Jitsu spats feel light and airy when you move, but stays locked in place thanks to its silicone waistband.

These Jiu Jitsu spats fit like a second skin. They help to regulate your body temperature and keep your skin cool and dry while you train. They have been built with super soft fabric and flatlock seams. A flatlock seam is flat on both sides and can stretch which help prevent any chafing while you train.

Hayabusa Geo Spats

If you would like to find out more about rashguards then click here to go to our blog about them. These spats are great for No-Gi, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA, Boxing, Kickboxing, Cross-fit. They are not IBJJF approved so you won’t be able to wear them for some BJJ competition.

Hayabusa Marvel Hero Elite Handwraps

The new highly anticipated Hayabusa Marvel Hero Elite Handwraps are finally in stock and they are truly something special. Keep your hands protected while you train with any of our 9 unique comic book hero perfect stretch hand wraps. Each character has their own style and colour way to make them as different as possible. Show your love for the Marvel Universe when we all get back to our gyms with Marvel Hero Elite hand wraps which you can find here in our boxing equipment category.

Marvel Hero Elite Handwraps

What’s Available

You can pick from Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, The Avengers, Symbiote, Punishers, Black Panther or Captain Marvel. Our gloves have been on sale for almost a year now and with some new characters coming our soon we thought now would be the perfect time to release our new wraps.

The Punisher Hero Elite Handwraps

We have tried to use each characters armour or clothing from the films to design these wraps. We wanted them to really stand out but also to be easily recognisable for the characters they are. So the obvious choices were blue for Captain America, red and gold for Iron Man, green for The Hulk, black for The Punisher and yellow for Captain Marvel.

We decided to combine some colours that other characters were known for, such as black and purple for Black Panther and black and blue for Venom/Symbiote.

Symbiote Hero Elite Handwraps

Thor was a little bit more tricky and we ended taking inspiration from Thor Ragnarok for the design. We were truly surprised by how much positive feedback we received from everyone about all of the wraps. They have have not been on sale for a week yet but its safe to say they they have been a huge hit. And we are already planning a re-order to make sure every single customer can get a pair.

About the Marvel Hero Elite Handwraps

Each pair of wraps is printed with a different Marvel hero pattern. These Mexican style hand wraps are made from a polyester silk and polyester thread blend. This durable semi-elastic material gives them their stretch while also providing enough strength to last you throughout your training.

They have a starter thumb loop which makes it easier for you to put them on. And a low profile hook and loop closure system which keeps them in place while you train. They are 180 inches long and 2 inches wide. They are machine washable and we recommend a cold wash for them.

Hayabusa Perfect Stretch Handwraps

Why we Wear Handwraps

Your training should always begin with wrapping your hands. One of the main reasons people miss sessions is through injury. By carrying out such a simple task you are protecting yourself and making sure that you can train as hard and frequently as you like. Handwraps protect all of the tiny bones around your knuckles and help to support your wrists.

These wraps conform to your hands to fit comfortably and securely under your sparring or bag gloves. They are 180 inches long which means that they are the perfect length to provide a protective fit without feeling bulky under your gloves. If you would like to find out more about what makes a good pair of handwraps. Then click here to read our blog.

Mexican Style Vs. Traditional

All of our handwraps are Mexican style. We believe they are superior because the breathable elastic-material is stretchier than traditional 100% cotton wraps which have no give. We have found that most fighters prefer Mexican style wraps.

This is because they conform to your hand and have a more flexible fit and feel. Our perfect stretch wraps are made with durable, semi-elastic materials. That can really take a beating, round after round, wash after wash.

What is a Rashguard and why Should I Wear One?

A rashguard is used in Mixed Martial Arts for both hygiene and protective reasons. It is a must-have for any sport where there is contact or grappling. A rashguard doesn’t hold on to water or sweat like a t-shirt will either, so you can roll without it weighing you down. They were originally used for surfing but when people noticed how useful they were everyone started wearing them for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

A Rashguard Can Help to Prevent Injuries

They are designed to be skin tight and therefore, prevent people from getting their fingers or hands wrapped up in the material during training which helps to stop anyone from getting small joint injuries, such as bending your finger back.

You can get both longsleeve and shortsleeve rashguards but the long sleeve version is definitely the most popular. This is because it fully covers your arms and will protect you more. They are not just for no-gi though and it is even a good idea to wear them under your BJJ Gi.

Wearing a rash guard is great for helping to prevent any cuts or scrapes you may get from training. Things like people catching you with their fingernails or toenails while you roll is a really common problem in the sport. The most annoying thing is that there isn’t much you can do yourself to stop this as it’s usually one of your teammates who catches you.

Wear A Rashguard To Protect Yourself.

Rashguards are also great for protecting you against any possible mat burn. I’m sure you’ve all experienced going back to training after some time off and you end up catching all of the skin on your feet as it’s lost toughness. Or when you visit a new gym that has a different type of mats down and the same thing happens. This can also happen to you back, shoulder and arms so it’s better to be safe than sorry and keep yourself protected.

Your rashguard will also cover any small open wounds or breaks in the skin that you already have. This will reduce your chances of getting common gym infections, such as Ringworm. This is caused when bacteria gets into an open cut and sometimes this can get quite nasty.

If you don’t look after cuts properly this can even cause you to get a staph infection. Another important reason to wear a rashguard. If you are unsure what Ringworm is click here to find out more in our beginner’s blog that covers Hygiene.

Why Hayabusa Offers More

Most rashguards are pretty basic is their design but there are a few that have some unique characteristics. Like all of the new Hayabusa rashguards. Which have a silicone waistband to keep your rashguard in place and stop it rising up while you are training. So you can focus more on what you are doing next rather than having to mess around with your top.

Geo rashguard with silicone waistband

Another really unique design that you can only get from Hayabusa is the honeycomb stretch feature in the new Fusion rashguard. Two separate layers of different coloured material have been sewn together in such a way that when you put the rashguard on it stretches to reveal an amazing design. We have some new Fusion rashguard designs coming out soon. So why not sign up to our mailing list and get a notification when they arrive in.

Colour changing Fusion rashguard

And the Hayabusa Odor Resist rash guard uses a renowned fabric called XT2®. This rashie uses co-extruded silver threads which prevents sweat eating microbes from growing on it. Which in turn helps to protect you. You can find out more about the Odor rashguard here.

Just as rashguards are important for keeping your upper body and arms protected, spats do the exact same for your legs. If you are not sure what spats are, then have a look at our blog here. Or check out our brand new Geo range.

The Marvel Hero Elite Series Rashguards

The only thing that’s more important than keeping yourself protected while training is doing it in style. And The Marvel Hero Elite Series seems like the only logical way to do that. You can bring three of everyone’s favourite Marvel Character’s too life.

The Punisher, Captain America and Iron Man all have their own shorts and rashguards available now. The Universe will always need more superhero and you can finally be one with this range.

Iron Man Hayabusa set

Most rashguards nowadays are colour coded. This basically shows off what rank belt you are. So obviously, you can get white, blue, purple, brown and black. I just thought I would mention this as I have met quite a few people over the years who unknowingly bought a rash because they liked the colour or it was on sale and ended up getting put to the sword because everyone thought they were a purple belt instead of the white belt they actually are.

We have looked at a lot of the rashguards in the Hayabusa range today and the thing that we believe sets us apart from the competition is the variation that we offer and our innovation. Most companies stick to the standard colour ranked rashguards whereas we have some truly unique options available for your all. If you would like to find out about spats and why they are important as well then click here to go to our blog about them.

5 Things to Know Before Starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Here is your new guide on everything you need to know before Starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Hygiene

Now I’m not talking about brushing your teeth and putting deodorant on although that will actually help a lot, this is about keeping yourself and your equipment clean. Aside from injury and illness, the only other thing that can keep you off the mats is Ringworm. For those of you who don’t know, Ringworm is a fungus that you can get from training mixed martial arts in an unclean environment. So anything from training on mats that don’t get cleaned regularly to going with someone who hasn’t washed their Gi or themselves properly can cause it. And of course, rolling with someone that already has Ringworm is a sure-fire way to get it.

You should be doing everything possible to make sure you are not the one spreading anything around in your gym and you can start by doing simple things like getting a wash straight after training and making sure all of your gear is clean. I know from experience that if you are training several times a week it’s impossible to wear the same Gi every day, most of the time it’s still wet and sometimes you just forgot to take it out of your bag from the night before. So if you are looking for a new Gi then check out our shop, my personal favourite is the lightweight as it will dry off faster and it’s easier to move around in so it fits my game well. If you are unsure of what Gi is best for you then why not have a look at my guide here.

Sometimes things are out of your control though and while you are doing your part other might not be. Normally that’s down to things like a member of your gym slacking and going to the toilet without putting any footwear on or someone stepping onto the mats with their shoes on. If you see anything like that you have every right to call them out on it or mention it to the head instructor and let them take care of it.

First tip for starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Leave your shoes at the side of mat.

Sometimes though it can be one of the instructors who’s causing the problem by not keeping that mats or training equipment clean. Most gym memberships are not cheap and if you feel like your teacher is not providing you with a clean environment then again you have every right to tell them how you feel. And if that doesn’t solve the problem you will always be able to find another gym that meets your expectations.

Grooming

Similar to hygiene, grooming is a massive part of your training and I bet you never even knew it. Firstly, we will start with the nails. Your fingernails and toenails should never be long enough to scratch someone. I’m sure we have all seen someone in the gym with a scratch across their face caused by their training partner catching them during a roll. Now imagine that same injury but to someone’s eye. Not a nice thought and I’m sure you wouldn’t be happy if it happened to you so think about others before you step onto the mat.

This one is more for the girls but there are definitely a few guys out there as well who should listen. If you have long hair then keep it tied back or up out of the way. No one wants your hair going in their face or mouth mid-roll and you don’t want to keep stopping during training to fix your hair and make the other person just sit there and wait.

Manners / Respect

Now before I start every gym is different and that means they will all have rules or traditions that differ. Firstly, a lot of gyms will want you to go around and shake everyone’s hand when you walk onto the mats so that’s why it’s good to show up early and have a stretch off and that means everyone will have to come over to you instead.

An unwritten rule in Jiu-Jitsu is that you slap hands and then bump fists before you all try and kill each other. Some places used to just do one of the above but recently it has become ubiquitous in the community and even competitions but it’s best to ask if you are unsure when you first arrive.

Bumping fists before rolling

Bowing before you walk onto the mats and before you leave them is also common practice but this is not something that is required. A lot of people do it simply because they witnessed someone else do it when they first started and it’s stuck ever since. As with shaking hands, this may not be mandatory, it is just to show respect so just have a look around and see what others are doing and you will figure it all out soon enough.

Bowing before you step onto the mats

And finally, after the class is finished most of the time the instructor will have everyone line up in belt order so if you are a white belt them make sure you go to the right end. And then always the hardest part of the class, going around and shaking everyone’s hand while you try to remember their names.

Respect your training partner

This ties into hygiene and grooming but there are also a few more things that I should point out. Your partner is the most important person on the mats because if he can’t train then neither can you. This is why you want to make sure that you are not the one causing people to have time off training. So make sure those nails are trimmed and check yourself regularly for Ringworm.

Another important thing to remember while you are all trying to attack each other is that you don’t have to be rough or injure someone to “win”. When you are starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu you will find that some people are stubborn and will refuse to tap even during training and risk injury just so you can’t submit them. But really they are putting you in an awful situation, do you really want to hurt someone just because they won’t tap? BJJ is known as the gentle art but I’ve found that a lot of beginners will keep pulling, just to get the tap but the more advanced students in the class will normally release or just swap to another move. For example, if you have the arm-bar on but they aren’t tapping, just swap to the wrist lock and try to get the submission from there.

Personally, I love the triangle and chokes as it doesn’t matter how much they resist or how hard you pull, you won’t end up causing any long term damage. They may go asleep, which isn’t ideal but you can still get the submission and you’ve done it without hurting them

Most of you will have probably heard the saying that you never lose in BJJ because even if you tap you are still learning. Some people may disagree with this but I think it’s right. If you get caught in the same move 5 rolls in a row you will probably want to figure out what you are doing wrong and stop it from happening. So don’t be that guy who is putting their classmates in a difficult situation, tap and you can even ask them what you should have done to escape or how you can stop them from getting you in the first place.

Learn how to tie your belt.

Learn how to tie your belt before starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

And finally, the most important thing to know when starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, how to tie your belt. There are two main ways that you can tie it and I’m sure you will be able to find a tutorial online, however, most beginners opt for the standard double knot. While it’s the quickest way to do it, it’s certainly not the best. A simple knot can come in handy though sometimes and when you have to face the gym enforcer is a perfect example. Instead of getting destroyed for a solid 5 minutes you can take your time to put your belt back on before continuing with the roll and get that extra few second of air before you’re straight back to it. So keep that in mind for whenever you’ve got to face the big guy or the one who will bounce all over you and never stop moving. Probably not the most ethical tip here but it may come in handy one day.

Heavy Hitters: A Guide to the Various Types of Boxing Gloves

Boxing has seen a revival in recent years. While this could be due to high-profile fighters like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather or an increased public interest in fitness, the result is that more and more people are becoming involved in the sport.

But, not everyone understands its complexity. For example, many people aren’t aware that the term ‘boxing gloves’ doesn’t refer to a universal piece of equipment. There are different types for different scenarios.

Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about common types of boxing gloves.

Sparring Gloves

When boxing, it’s not always your goal to strike your opponent as hard as possible. This is especially true during training or sparring.

So, as you can expect, you’ll want to pick up a pair of sparring gloves if you intend to box at a non-competitive level for the purpose of building skill or for exercise.

These gloves are heavier and have extra padding compared to competition gloves in order to prevent you from unintentionally injuring your opponent. After all, training won’t do you much good if you (or your partner) are frequently getting hurt.

These gloves also have the added benefit of increasing your punching speed with lighter gloves, making them even more effective to use for training.

Competition Gloves

When it comes time to your speed and skill to the test in the ring, you’re going to need competition-style gloves. 

The weight of these gloves is determined by what weight class you’re competing in, and you’re only allowed to use gloves that have been approved by the boxing organisation that runs the league you’re competing in. So, make it’s important to make sure you don’t pick up a pair of gloves that you can’t use.

Competition gloves are also less padded than sparring gloves, which will lead to faster and harder strikes. Since fighters who have never used or been hit with competition gloves will be at a strong disadvantage during their first bout, make the time for a few sessions that emulate an actual match (but still not going 100% in order to prevent injury).

As a rule of thumb, lighter gloves allow you to hit (and get hit) harder, so keep this in mind when training for your competition. 

Training Gloves

Not everyone wants to spar with an opponent all the time. Even fewer people are ready to engage in the gruelling workout regiment required to get into competition shape.

Instead, it may be more enticing to work the heavy bag or work on speed/coordination with a trainer. In this case, you’ll do fine with a pair of training gloves.

Like sparring gloves, these have extra padding compared to competition gloves and provide plenty of protection for the wearer. Their appropriate weight will also depend on the bodyweight of the boxer. Here are the general glove weights for different weight classes:

  • Less than 120 lbs.: 12oz to 14oz
  • 120 lbs. to 150 lbs.: 14oz to 16oz
  • 150 lbs. to 180 lbs.: 16oz to 20oz
  • 180+ lbs.: 18oz+

Using the correct glove size for your bodyweight will ensure that you get the most out of your training, so be sure to pick up a pair suitable for you.

Mexican Style Gloves

As the name suggests, this type of glove was popularized in Mexican training/competitions.

The main difference of these gloves is that they are manufactured to be smaller/more compact than traditional boxing gloves. While the difference isn’t too drastic between glove types today, the discrepancy between standard gloves and Mexican style was significant during the early does of boxing.

Since these gloves are equipped with less padding, they provide less protection for your hands. Amateur boxers should avoid this type of glove during training in order to reduce the chance of injury.

Other Important Info

If you have a trainer, they’ll be able to answer any questions that you may have regarding glove use. Those without the resources or desire to hire a trainer, however, will have to choose their gloves on their own.

So, consider the following while making your decision.

Are the gloves used for training or competition?

As previously mentioned, there are different gloves types for different scenarios. Using competition gloves during training could lead to injury.

If you are training, what type of training are you engaging in?

Solely hitting a heavy bag during your training won’t require you to buy sparring gloves. The same can be said for pad work.

If you don’t plan on sparring, then general training gloves are the right option for you. They’ll allow you to seamlessly switch between pad and bag work. Just make sure you use gloves appropriate for your weight in order to build appropriate speed/endurance.

Do you need to handle kicks?

Many people train for kickboxing but don’t compete in the sport. So, if you’re planning on using your gloves during kickboxing training, consider getting a pair that has solid wrist support to help protect you while you block kicks.

Choosing From Different Types of Boxing Gloves Can Seem Difficult

But it doesn’t have to be.

With the above information about different types of boxing gloves in mind, you’ll be well on your way to grabbing the pair that’s most suitable for your needs.

Want to browse more combat sports apparel? Our store is filled with high-quality products.

An In-Depth Analysis of Hayabusa’s Jiu Jitsu Gi’s

Jiu Jitsu Gi’s

Hayabusa Warrior Jiu Jitsu Gi

Jiu Jitsu Gi’s come in all styles and colours but there are a few things you may want to check first, especially if you want to compete.

The first thing on the list is which Gi’s can be used in competition? And if you are going to fight in it you’ll also want to know how heavy is it. It also helps to know what size will best fit you as well. And finally, there is the price.

The blog will break everything down for you and give you as much information about all of the Gi’s as possible.

The Hayabusa Gi Range

We currently have five main Gi options in our range and they are the Marvel Hero Elite, Goorudo 3, Warrior Gi, Lightweight Gi and Pro Ultra Lightweight option.

We will have some new option coming out very soon and if you would like to read one of our newer blogs about the products then click here.

Punisher Gi

We will start with the newest and most sought after Gi in our collection. The Punisher Gi. This Marvel collaboration has taken a lot of people by surprise and rightly so. It’s not every day you can throw your Gi on and feel like an actual superhero.

The all-black Gi comes with a silk-like inner lining which feels like a second skin and Frank Castles Punisher crest has been perfectly ingrained on the back for all to see. The Marvel Hero Elite series Gi design is really a piece of art and something I doubt we will ever see from another company again.

Heavyweight Gi Options

We currently have two heavyweight Gi’s available. They are both made out of a gold weave fabric which heavy yet incredibly soft as well.

First, we have the Warrior Gi. This high-quality Gi is simple yet sophisticated. The intricate stitching, detailing and tailored cut all come together flawlessly to provide you with a very stylish Gi.

The Goorudo 3.0 is one of our most popular Jiu-Jitsu Gis and we actually had to bring this range out of retirement due to popular demand. The predecessor to the Warrior is now available once again and this time it’s staying around. As it is made from gold weave blend, it is one of the heaviest BJJ Gis we make, constructed with a 550 gsm cotton.

Lightweight Gi Options

Next on the block, we have the Lightweight range. Similar to the Goorudo 3 we did plan on moving away from the current style but as usual, the community spoke and we listened.

Everyone loved the Black and White versions so we decided to keep them exactly the same but we found the old Grey and Blue were not as popular so we have reinvented them and we believe everyone else will love them just as much as we do when they see the new colours. The Gi jacket has been constructed with pearl weave cotton with it has reinforced stress areas all over.

Finally, we have the Pro Ultra-Lightweight Gi. Our goal with this was to try and make the perfect Gi and although we knew it wouldn’t be easy, we wanted to give it a go anyway. The goal was to combine the lightest material possible, the strongest weave, make all areas reinforced, easy to patch, and of course, be IBJJF compliant.

The result, the Pro Ultra-Lightweight Hayabusa Gi. Incredibly light, yet as tough as any heavyweight Gi you’ve ever owned. It is one of the simplest yet best looking Gi’s you will ever come across and it complies with all of the Internation Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federations rules and laws. When you put this on you will immediately feel how it is different from any other competition Gi you’ve tried before.

Its extremely light and its comfort is second to none but we haven’t sacrificed any of the strength or performance you’d expect from Hayabusa. A lot goes through your mind when you’re competing and we wanted to make sure worrying about your BJJ Gi isn’t one of them. 

Which BJJ Gi’s comply with the IBJJF rules.

We will give you a quick run-through about the Hayabusa Jiu-Jitsu Gi’s that are IBJJF Certified and the ones which you can’t compete in. The Punisher Gi, Warrior Gi, and Pro Ultra-Lightweight Gi are all fully compliant with the Jiu-Jitsu Federations rules and laws.

The Goorudo 3.0 can also be used in competitions, but only the black, blue and white versions. The grey can not be worn and the same goes for the Lightweight range. Again the black, blue and white are okay to fight in but the grey will not be allowed.

We do also have a few limited edition colours of Lightweight Gi available. They come in Black/Gold, Stone White, and Green. Unfortunately, none of these can be used in IBJJF comps, but you might still be able to use them in competitions run by other organisations but you will have to check their rules and conditions beforehand.

Gi’sSizesColours which complyWeight
The Punisher GiA1-A4Black350gsm
Warrior GiA1-A4Black, White550gsm
Goorudo 3.0A1-A4Black, Blue, White550gsm
LightweightA1-A4Black, White420gsm
Ultra LightweightA1-A4Black, Blue, White350gsm

Jiu Jitsu Gi Construction and Weight

Now that’s all out of the way we can move on to the construction and weight.

The Punisher Gi jacket is constructed from a 350-gsm cotton pearl weave blend and the pants are made from 10oz twill ripstop cotton with drawstrings. A0 – 3.1lbs, A1 – 3.3lbs, A2 – 3.5lbs, A3 – 3.8lbs, A4 – 4.0lbs, A5 – 4.2lbs.

The Warrior and Goorudo 3.0 both have exactly the same specs. The jacket is designed with 550-gsm, ultra-soft, gold weave cotton, so they are both significantly heavier than the Punisher model. And the pants are 12oz. twill cotton with built-in reinforced knees and stress areas. A0 – 3.9 lbs, A1 – 4.2 lbs, A2 – 4.5 lbs, A3 – 4.6 lbs, A4 – 4.7 lbs, A5 – 5.8 lbs

The Lightweight Gi is made from 420-gsm pearl-weave cotton and the pants are an 8oz ripstop cotton-polyester blend with drawstring providing you with the perfect IBJJF compliant BJJ kimono. A0 – 2.7lbs, A1 – 2.9lbs, A2 – 3lbs, A3 – 3.1lbs, A4 – 3.5lbs, A5- 3.4lbs

And finally, the Pro Ultra Lightweight Gi Jacket uses 350-GSM pearl-weave cotton and the pants are constructed from an 8oz ripstop cotton-polyester blend with stretch drawstring. A0 – 3.1lbs, A1 – 3.3lbs, A2 – 3.5lbs, A3 – 3.8lbs, A4 – 4.0lbs, A5 – 4.2lbs

Black and White T3 Kanpeki Gloves

The brand new Black and White T3 Kanpeki Boxing gloves are 100% full grain leather and Hayabusa’s best product to date. We have redesigned our most popular product ever and brought them to you in two new colours. The Jet Black and Arctic White Kanpeki Boxing gloves.

Black T3 Kanpeki Boxing gloves

Don’t worry though, we have of course left in everyone’s favourite feature. Our patented Dual-X strap which sets our gloves aside from every other martial arts company. And is part of the reason Hayabusa is the brand it is today.

We were trying to come up with a new product one day but wanted to make sure it wouldn’t just be something to fill our shelves. We were all adamant that we wanted to create something everyone would love. So we took our time and left the design team to it. Eventually, someone had an interesting point. There’s so much variation in our T3 Boxing glove range but none in the Kanpeki line. So we thought why not offer our best seller in more colours. And so we set to work on designing what they could look like.

White T3 Kanpeki Boxing gloves

We didn’t want to cause any damage to our favourite products reputation. So we spend our time working on these new gloves until we finally had them complete. And once we were finished, we spent even longer getting feedback from our loyal fanbase. It wasn’t long before we realised we had something special on our hands. And we were right, they were an instant hit. So that’s why we are proud to offer you the new and exclusive Jet Black and Arctic White Kanpeki Boxing gloves.

If you love the Black and White T3 Kanpeki gloves as much as we do, and we’re sure you will then click here to take a better look at them on our website.