For an MMA brand, selecting the right apparel starts with knowing what your customers actually wear to class. Understanding what to wear to MMA class will help you design and source products that truly meet market needs. This article gives you a complete guide to MMA class apparel.
Essential Apparel for MMA Class
Rash Guard
A rash guard is a form-fitting, functional sports top. It is similar to compression wear but is designed and intended primarily for combat sports. Rash guards for MMA classes typically include grappling rash guards, striking rash guards, and hybrid rash guards.
● Grappling Rash Guard
This type of rash guard is primarily designed for classes that involve a lot of groundwork and friction between the body and the mat, such as BJJ, grappling, wrestling, and ground classes.
In these classes, the body will come into contact with the floor repeatedly, which may lead to skin abrasions over time. Therefore, protection against chafing is the primary function of a grappling rash guard.
During ground training, the elbows and forearms come into the most contact with the ground. To prevent injuries to these areas, grappling rash guards are typically designed with long sleeves.
In addition, the flatlock stitching on the grappling rash guard helps reduce friction between the seams and the skin. Standard stitches are raised and can rub against the skin, whereas flat-lock stitches are almost completely flat and generally do not cause friction against the skin. This design significantly enhances the user’s comfort.
To improve the stability of the wearer’s movements, the grappling rash guard features a form-fitting cut. Wearing loose-fitting clothing to MMA classes can cause the apparel to ride up or shift during exercise, thereby affecting the precision and stability of the practitioner’s movements. A close-fitting cut helps to avoid this problem.
● Striking Rash Guard
Striking rash guards are suitable for MMA classes that focus on striking, such as boxing, Muay Thai, and striking classes.
In these classes, punching and kicking are common training movements, so practitioners tend to sweat profusely while performing them. To ensure that practitioners aren’t hindered by sticky sweat, the primary functions should be moisture-wicking and breathability.
In addition, the essence of punching and kicking lies in speed, which is a key indicator of whether a practitioner’s technique has improved. A bulky top will obviously slow down a practitioner’s punching and kicking speed, so a striking rash guard must be lightweight to ensure their agility and speed.
Although a striking rash guard doesn’t need to provide the same level of abrasion protection as a grappling rash guard, it should still offer basic abrasion protection to prevent gloves, protective gear, and other items from rubbing against the skin.
● Hybrid Rash Guard
This protective apparel is suitable for MMA classes that incorporate both stand-up striking and ground fighting, as well as for classes aimed at MMA beginners.
Hybrid rash guard strikes a great balance between abrasion resistance and breathability. This rash guard is highly versatile, featuring a universal design, such as medium-weight fabric and a standard compression fit. Many users looking for an affordable, versatile option opt for hybrid rash guards.
MMA Shorts
In addition to the rash guard worn on the upper body, MMA shorts worn on the lower body are equally important. Typically, the bottoms include board shorts, Vale Tudo shorts, and hybrid shorts.
● Board Shorts
Board shorts are loose-fitting shorts that fall just below the knee. They are the most classic and traditional style of MMA shorts.
They are typically unlined and fastened with internal or external drawstrings, which are then secured with Velcro straps that cover the front waistband. Board shorts look very similar to surf shorts. The loose, flared design of the trousers is ideal for kicking and lunging movements, allowing the wearer to move freely.
Many practitioners tend to opt for this kind of short. If you’re looking for a classic pair of MMA shorts that are popular with various consumers, then you won’t miss out on this one.
● Vale Tudo Shorts
Vale Tudo shorts originated in Brazilian Vale Tudo competitions. They are essentially shorter, tighter versions of compression shorts and are suitable for BJJ, grappling and MMA groundwork training.
Unlike board shorts, they fit snugly against the body like a second skin and are shorter—reaching the upper to mid-thigh. In grappling, an opponent may grab your pant legs to control your leg movements or restrict your mobility. Loose-fitting pants essentially provide your opponent with a grip, whereas this form-fitting design prevents your opponent from grabbing your pants during grappling.
It is made from a highly elastic 4-way stretch fabric that provides a snug fit while ensuring flexibility, allowing the wearer to move their legs freely. Additionally, its reinforced stitching makes it more durable and resistant to tearing.
You can choose Vale Tudo shorts for professional practitioners.
● Hybrid Shorts
Hybrid shorts strike a balance between the loose fit of board shorts and the tight fit of Vale Tudo shorts. They normally feature a loose outer layer and a tight inner layer. The most common style is the 2-in-1 design, which features a loose outer layer similar to board shorts and a tight-fitting inner layer of compression shorts. They are suitable for both striking and groundwork in MMA classes.
The key advantage of hybrid shorts is that they are less prone to snagging than board shorts, yet more comfortable and less restrictive than Vale Tudo shorts. Their inner compression layer provides better muscle support, reduces friction between the thighs, and prevents accidental exposure.
Many beginners try out different types of MMA classes, and they usually need a pair of shorts that can handle anything. Hybrid shorts are perfect for this, as they’re suitable for all kinds of MMA training.
Compression Pants
Compression pants are close-fitting, functional athletic pants typically worn as a base layer under shorts or on their own for training. In terms of length, they are generally available in full-length, 3/4-length, and shorts-length styles.
● Full-Length
Full-length compression pants are the most common type of compression pants. They provide excellent insulation and are a must-have for winter training. Because they extend all the way to the ankles, they provide the most comprehensive protection for the legs, making them the most effective at preventing chafing. They typically feature a high-waisted design to prevent the pants from slipping down during training.
They are suitable for mixed MMA classes, BJJ, grappling, and more.
● 3/4 Length
3/4-length compression pants extend to the mid-calf, providing targeted support for the thighs and knees, and are cooler than full-length pants. They are ideal for daily MMA training classes.
3/4-length compression pants typically feature a tapered design at the calves to prevent the hem from riding up. Their fabric is lighter and more breathable than that of full-length pants. Practitioners who prioritize both high performance and comfort and breathability often choose this style of compression pants. On the market, 3/4-length compression pants are usually offered as a complementary option.
● Compression Shorts
Compression shorts are the lightest type of compression bottoms and are typically worn as an undershort for MMA shorts, similar to tight-fitting shorts. They are suitable for striking-based MMA classes.
They provide basic muscle support for the thighs and reduce friction on the inner thighs. Compression shorts often feature anti-chafing designs in the crotch area, such as built-in protective gussets. Anti-roll silicone strips are also a common design feature.
These compression shorts are the lightest and most affordable option, and are typically sold as part of a set with other MMA shorts.
Sports Bra
● High-Impact Bra
High-impact bras typically combine compression and contouring features to effectively minimize breast movement. This design usually incorporates wider straps to reduce the pressure, as narrow straps can easily leave marks on the skin during high-intensity MMA training.
High-impact bras are suitable for MMA sparring.
● Medium-Impact Bra
Medium-impact bras offer both adequate support for the bust. They are elastic, which makes them suitable for MMA technical training classes and light MMA classes.
Factors to Consider When Choosing MMA Apparel
Fabrics
● Polyester
Polyester is the most popular and widely used fabric for MMA apparel. It wicks away moisture and dries quickly, so the apparel does not become heavier as you sweat. It is usually blended with spandex; a common blend is 85% polyester and 15% spandex.
Furthermore, this fabric offers excellent value for money and is well-suited to large-scale production, making it the first choice for most brands.
● Nylon
Nylon is also a common fabric used for MMA apparel. It has a smooth texture and is unlikely to cause discomfort from friction, making it suitable for close-fitting apparel. It performs particularly well during MMA training classes involving frequent friction. It is typically blended with spandex to enhance elasticity.
This fabric is commonly used by mid- to high-end brands.
● Spandex
Spandex is a highly elastic synthetic fiber that can be stretched to 4–7 times its original length. It is typically blended with other fabrics to enhance elasticity.
Fit and Comfort
● Gusset
A gusset is an extra piece of fabric added to the crotch area of pants, which allows practitioners to perform movements such as high kicks and sweeping kicks with greater freedom. At the same time, a gusset helps reduce the risk of seams coming apart or fabric tearing. Common types of gussets include diamond-shaped, triangular, and multi-panel designs.
● Side Slit
A side slit is a design feature consisting of an opening on the side of shorts. Since MMA classes involve a lot of leg kicks and rapid footwork, this slit design prevents the fabric from catching on the legs and reduces the feeling of the shorts being too tight. Common types of side slits include the basic slit, reinforced slit, and stretch panel.
FAQ
Does MMA Apparel Require Certification?
Consumers in many European and American markets tend to pay close attention to certifications for MMA apparel, such as OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, REACH, CPSIA, GRS, and bluesign®. These certifications help build consumer trust in your brand.
How Do I Choose the Right Sizing System for Different Markets?
Sizing standards vary by region. For example, sizes in European and American markets tend to run larger, while those in Asian markets tend to run smaller. Therefore, we recommend selecting a size chart according to your target market. This will make it easier for customers to find the right size and help reduce return rates.
Should I Differentiate MMA Product Lines for Beginners and Professional Users?
Yes. Beginners typically opt for versatile, cost-effective products, while professional athletes tend to put functionality first. Differentiating product lines helps enhance brand positioning and conversion rates.
How Can Safety be Incorporated into the Design of MMA Apparel?
Safety is a key factor in determining whether MMA apparel meets standards. You should consider the following aspects to ensure safety:
- No hard components
- Anti-slip & stability
- Flatlock & anti-chafing
Does Women’s MMA Apparel Require a Separate Pattern?
Yes. Women’s body structures differ significantly from men’s, particularly in areas such as the chest, waist, hips, and shoulders. Women also place greater emphasis on appearance and fashion design. Developing a strong women’s product line can boost your brand’s profitability.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right MMA apparel can better cater to the market and increase profits. If you are looking for an experienced MMA apparel manufacturer, Goal Sportswear is here for you. We can provide you with various fabrics and designs to meet your standards. Please contact us for more details.
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