MMA Training 101 - The Five Things You Must Bring to Your First MMA Training Session

So you are ready to start your MMA training, but before you head to the gym, I want to make sure that you are fully and completely prepared. You will need these five items that I have put together in this handy checklist below. All of these items can be picked up for less than $100 total, and they'll last you for years during your training:
1) Mouthguard
Having a mouthguard (also called a mouthpiece) is absolutely non-negotiable when you are doing any sort of contact mma training at the gym.
Wearing a mouthguard protects your teeth from getting knocked out, your tongue from getting bitten, and it allows you to keep your jaw clenched while sparring, which helps prevent you from getting knocked out and keeps your jaw from getting broken.
Make sure that you buy a single-sided mouthguard, as opposed to the double-sided ones that some people use in football. Also be sure to follow the molding instructions that will come with your mouthguard BEFORE your first training session. Using an unmolded mouthguard will not protect you nearly as much as a molded one will.
2) Fight shorts
When you are training for MMA, the last thing that you want is for your clothes to be a hindrance. Baggy basketball shorts might look cool, but they get caught easily when you are grappling, make it harder to throw kicks, etc.
I have two preferred types of shorts. Board shorts and fight shorts are made with a thick polyester that is durable and won't rip during grappling. Most board shorts also have a draw string, so you can keep them tight even after you shed a few pounds.
If you want something that offers you even more mobility, compression shorts won't get caught on anything and do not give your opponent anything to grab onto. Even if you are wearing fight shorts, I would recommend compression shorts underneath them. Fight shorts have a tendency to ride up during grappling and having compression shorts underneath will keep you from feeling exposed.
3) Athletic shirt
The type of shirt that you wear to MMA Training is a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer not to wear a shirt at all. I prefer a durable workout shirt specifically designed for MMA training, a tight-fitting compression shirt that can't get grabbed, or a sleeveless shirt, which feels cooler and doesn't give my opponent any handle when they are fishing for arm drags and triangle chokes.
4) Athletic cup

The Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts requires competitors to use three pieces of equipment; a mouthguard, 4 oz. gloves, and a cup. And while groin strikes are not legal like they used to be, accidents can still happen, and you will be thankful that you are wearing your cup when they do.
At some point in your MMA Training, you WILL get hit in the groin. After you spend enough time in the gym, it simply becomes a law of averages.
5) Hand wraps
Your hand and wrist are made up of 27 small bones, which means that every time you land a punch on a bag or opponent, those 27 bones absorb a significant amount of force. Always protect your hands!
Hand injuries are surprisingly debilitating. At the very least, they are uncomfortable and can make any sort of MMA training painful and uncomfortable. Hand wraps will provide support for your wrist and keep the bones in your hand compressed and tight, which limits the chance of a break.
Hand wraps come in a variety of lengths, but you should look for a pair that are at least 170 inches long. This gives you enough fabric to tightly wrap the wrist and knuckles multiple times, which will add more protection and allow for a sturdier wrap.
And there you have it, every piece of equipment that you need to walk into your first MMA training session and start kicking butt. You can buy everything on this list in one trip or the store, or in 15 minutes online. Proper equipment will keep you safe, and make your MMA workout more enjoyable.