Issue 055
November 2009
You’ll need something to carry your shorts, rash guard, gloves and all the other bits of gear featured in this column to and from the gym.
Why use them?
There are advantages to having a dedicated training bag. It makes it easier to keep all your training kit in the same place so that you know where it is and you don’t have to run around looking for your gumshield when you’re already late for training.
Plus, the smell from your sweaty groin guard doesn’t end up saturating every bag you own.
Fight-wear branded or generic sports-bag?
Many of the fight wear brands make their own training bags. Is there any advantage to buying one of these instead of a generic bag from your local sports shop? Possibly – a few of the MMA specific bags have some nice features that make them particularly suitable for fighters, such as pockets that are just the right size for your gloves, but it’s mostly down to individual preference. Some people like the image associated with a particular brand, and buying from fight wear companies also helps to support the sport via sponsorship money.
Clear your bag regularly
Make sure sweaty gear gets washed straight away so the smell doesn’t linger. Remove and wash items such as joint supports on a regular basis.
Check the bag for any recovery-drink bottles or uneaten food – you don’t want your training partners noticing that your shorts smell of three-month-old banana!
Avoid getting a bag that’s bigger than you need
If you’re like most of us, your stuff will expand to fill the space you have. A giant training-bag just means you’ll end up carrying unnecessary junk around.
Pockets and compartments
You can’t have too many. Gumshield, tape, protein bars, heart rate monitor... the list of kit you’ll need is endless. Keep your stuff organized and avoid rummaging through smelly training gear looking for your bus pass. Some bags have a separate waterproof compartment for your sweaty shorts and rash guard, which is a definite plus point.
Mesh kit bag, helps your kit dry faster
Style and size
Kit bags come in all shapes and sizes. The kind of bag you need will obviously depend on what you want to use it for. Is it just to throw shorts and t-shirt in for class, or do you want something you can take to a competition, with everything you need for a weekend away? Backpacks are more comfortable if you need to carry them any distance, but a holdall is easier to stuff your gloves and shin guards into.
Material
Make sure it’s made out of something heavy duty and durable. Check the quality of the stitching round any zips and seams. Some bags are made from gi material, which is a nice touch if you like that sort of thing, and others have ‘anti-microbial’ properties which may stop them picking up nasty smells.
