When it comes to martial arts or any kind of sport or exercise, having the right equipment can make all the difference. While many people focus on buying the best gloves, shoes, or training gear, one piece of equipment that often goes overlooked is the gym mat.
However, using a gym mat can provide numerous benefits for martial arts practitioners of all levels.
If you take part in martial arts activities, such as karate, judo or mixed martial arts (MMA), you’ll know that a focus on discipline and dedication is required throughout your training and practice. High levels of fitness is required in order to finesse your moves, plus its important to work on your stamina to ensure that you can keep up in a fight. However, its also extremely important to consider the environment in which you are training.
Whether you’re training at home or at a gym, having the correct equipment is imperative – this includes ensuring that you’re training on appropriate flooring and mats. As a result, investing in specialist gym mats is a must from a safety point of view, but also to help enhance your practice.At Gym Floors direct we’re well versed in supporting our customers find the right flooring for their unique needs, whatever exercise or sport they partake in. This includes specialist flooring for martial arts. In this blog post we’ll take a look at a few reasons why you should use a gym mat for your martial arts practice.
1. Health and safety
One of the most important reasons to use gym or mma mats for martial arts is safety.
Martial arts can be physically demanding and even dangerous at times, and you run the risk of causing a serious injury to yourself or others if you’re not careful.
Using a gym mat can help prevent injuries by providing a suitably cushioned, soft surface to land on during falls, throws and takedowns. This can help soften the blow on the body, particularly if there are repeated falls over a period of time which is often the case with martial arts.
This is particularly important for beginners and children as they are more prone to taking a tumble and hurting themselves if they fall awkwardly.
2. Keeping a hygienic environment
Keeping a hygienic environment is vital in a gym space which has high traffic and is used by lots of people. Good hygiene helps prevent the spread of illnesses and bugs which can be spread through coughs, sneezes, spitting and sweat.
Gym mats are designed to be easy to clean and sanitise – super handy in a shared training space which often has a quick turnaround time between different people using it. Ultimately this can help reduce the risk of transferring bacteria and germs if it is regularly cleaned and disinfected and thus reducing the risk of illness and infection.
3. Comfort
In addition to safety, using a gym mat for martial arts can also improve your comfort during training and make the experience much more pleasant.
Training on hard surfaces such as concrete or hardwood floors can cause a multitude of different issues for your joints and muscles – the repetitive strain caused by very hard surfaces can actually wear down your joints causing long term damage, pain and discomfort.
By laying down a gym mat you can help to prevent this by providing a soft, padded surface that absorbs impact and reduces stress on your body. This can help you train for longer periods of time without experiencing discomfort or fatigue.
4. Technique
Did you know, using a gym mat for martial arts can also help you improve your technique?
When you train on a hard surface, you may be hesitant to fully commit to certain techniques or movements for fear of injury. This can lead to a lack of confidence in your abilities.
By always training on a gym mat, you can gradually build confidence safety and fully commit to your movements, allowing you to improve your technique more quickly and effectively.
5. Versatility
Gym mats can be used for a wide variety of martial arts practices, from striking and sparring to grappling and ground work.
This means that you can use the same mat for all of your training needs, rather than having to switch between different surfaces or training spaces.
Additionally, many gym mats are portable and can be easily transported to different locations, making them a convenient option for martial artists who travel or train in different locations.
Overall, using a gym mat for martial arts is a smart investment for anyone who is serious about their training. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced martial artist, a gym mat can provide a safer, more comfortable, and more hygienic training environment. Plus, by improving your technique and versatility, you’ll be able to take your practice to the next level.
