If you want to get the most out of your Muay Thai or mixed martial arts training, you’ll need to take care of your shins! Shin guards are an absolute must. But with so many different types and styles on offer how do you know which ones will suit your needs best? Read on for our guide that should help make things easier for you.
Check out our guide for the best shin guards at markets for 2022
Difference between Muay Thai and MMA shin guards
– Muay Thai shin pads usually cover the whole leg whereas MMA shin guards only go up past the knee. This makes it easier when practicing clinching since there is less chance of slashing your partner with an exposed shin.
– Muay Thai shin guards tend to be thicker and more rounded at the ends, allowing you to practice knee strikes as well as kicks. MMA guards are normally tapered so that less material is in contact with your shins. The taper helps focus force onto a smaller point of impact, meaning that it will lessen the damage slightly if you do get hit.
– Muay Thai shin guards are often more closely matched to the natural shape of your leg, which means they are less likely to slip or feel uncomfortable during training. This is because they are generally crafted from latex, leather, or cotton fabric that has been molded to fit perfectly around your lower leg. There’s no need for you to struggle with Velcro or straps.
– For Muay Thai, look for shin pads that have a gel lining to absorb shock and provide an extra layer of comfort when kicking heavy bags or sparring. They are also useful when sparring in hot climates since the gel material will help wick away moisture.
– Leather standard shin pads are ideal if you are looking for something that provides a good amount of protection at little cost.
– Synthetic leather shin guards are more popular since they offer many of the same benefits as standard leather, but will last slightly longer and maybe cheaper too.
– Cotton or fabric shin guards are an excellent choice if you want a little extra comfort. They may not last as long as other types, but they will be much more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
– There are also open-style Muay Thai shin pads that are designed to provide full leg protection but still allow you to feel like you’re kicking real opponents. These will be more expensive than standard guards, however.
What are shin guards and how do they work?
Shin guards are commonly worn in sports such as muay Thai and MMA. The main purpose of shin guards is to protect the shins from injuries, such as kicks and knees strikes. Shin guards also help prevent irritation of the skin, especially when used under tight-fitting clothing, such as shorts and spats. Some people use shin guards as a way to support their weak shins and prevent injuries.
Shin guards are usually made from leather or molded plastic plates, sewn into a sleeve that is tightly wrapped around the leg. In addition to this combination of materials, some shin guards have an adhesive piece on the outside to attach velcro or elastic bands that go around the ankle.
Types of Shin Guards
There are different types of shin guards, each of which serves a specific purpose. Soccer shin guards are used for football or soccer, MMA shin guards are generally used in MMA and other combat sports, whilst muay Thai shin guards are made specifically to be used in the sport of muay Thai. Although soccer shin guards are designed to protect against kicks, they are not designed to absorb impact as well as muay Thai shin guards which make them better suited for MMA and other combat sports. Muay Thai practitioners normally wear shin guards made of foam, with a plastic shell to prevent injury caused by kicks or knee strikes. Soccer shin guards are usually made of rubber and leather with felt on the inside, providing better protection against strikes and impact.
When to use shin guards?
Most Muay Thai and MMA gyms will require that you wear shin guards during sparring sessions, especially if the gym is a professional one. In some amateur gyms, the trainers may not insist on wearing shin guards for safety reasons and to avoid injuries. You can also use your own judgment when deciding whether or not to wear shin guards during training and sparring sessions. If you think wearing shin guards may hinder your kicks, then you can choose to wear them only on those days when you plan on kicking a lot.
In Muay Thai, it is common for trainers to use different types of shin guards as part of the training process. In low-intensity workouts, fighters are allowed to wear Muay Thai shin guards made of felt. The purpose of using these types of muay Thai shin guards is so that the fighters can concentrate on the movements and techniques because they do not have anything stopping them from kicking as fast as possible. These inexpensive styles of muay Thai shin guards are normally used by those who want to avoid injuries during training since they are lighter and easier to move with.
How to choose the right shin guard for Muay Thai or MMA
Now it is clear how they work, which one do you choose? Which one should you use to suit your needs? Soccer shin guards are usually used by football or soccer players but MMA practitioners can also make use of them with some modifications. In order to prevent injuries from knee strikes in MMA, you should wear specialized MMA shin guards. These are made of gel foam with a plastic shell to prevent injuries caused by impacts. Soccer shin guards do not provide the same level of protection against impact as MMA shin guards which is why they are less suited for MMA practitioners.
Regardless of whether you need soccer or MMA shin guards, it is important to choose the one that fits as closely as possible as this will reduce the impact of kicks and knee strikes against your shins. In addition, it is recommended to use straps or ankle cuffs to keep the guards from moving around which increases the risk of injuries. If you are a beginner in muay Thai or MMA, you should start with shin guards that offer only limited protection.
When using muay Thai shin guards, it is important to choose a size that fits you perfectly as this will provide better protection and prevent injuries. The best way to find the right size of shin guard for you is to measure your leg and check with the manufacturer’s sizing chart.
When wearing muay Thai shin guards, they should be fitted snugly on your shins and calves to prevent any movement which may increase the risk of injury caused by kicks. For protection against the impact of knee strikes, you should wear adjustable shin guards that are made with soft padding inside them; this will make it easier to avoid injuries while at the same time, protecting you from any injuries caused by knee strikes. When choosing muay Thai shin guards that have their own ankle cuffs or leg straps, it is also important that they fit you perfectly for better protection.
If you have had a history of injuries on your shins while practicing Muay Thai, MMA, boxing, or kickboxing, you should choose a pair of shin guards that have more padding on them. You can also use additional protective equipment such as shin or instep pads to improve your chances of avoiding injuries related to impact with knees or kicks against your shins.
Don’t forget that if you do end up purchasing a pair of muay thai or MMA gloves and would like some extra protection for your shins then you can always pick up some shin guards to go with them!
And that’s it, remember to choose wisely and you will be on your way to becoming a better, harder hitting fighter. Thanks for reading and good luck in the dojo!
