It’s really hot out there, but AWMA and ProForce can help you keep your cool.
This summer has been a scorcher so far, and there’s no signs of these heat waves letting up any time soon. If you’re doing part of your martial arts or cross-training outside, that means you have to be extra careful. Consider taking a rest day or finding a lower intensity alternative workout on days when the heat and humidity is too intense. Stay alert and proactive about any signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. And wear and use martial arts training gear that will keep you as cool as possible during your workouts.
Even if you train indoors, there’s a chance that your facility’s air conditioning might not be able to keep up perfectly on the hottest days. In that case, some different martial arts gear could help keep you comfortable enough to stay focused on your training. And not feel quite so tired and soggy after.
Luckily, AWMA and ProForce have lot of gear that’s been designed to help martial artists deal with all of the above. Here are five products that will keep you cooler and more comfortable this summer so that you can shine brighter than the summer sun.
ProForce® Classic 5 Oz Karate Uniform
When it gets hot, lost of people switch to lighter clothing. It’s a way to beat some of the heat while still dressing in a way that is appropriate and suits your day-to-day needs. It’s not always easy to do that when you’re training in a martial art that requires a specific type of martial arts uniform. And if you usually train in a medium or heavy weight gi, it might be feeling like a little too much at this time of year. Especially when it gets sweaty and clammy. Depending on what martial art you take and where you train, though, you might have some options.
A lightweight martial arts uniform like the ProForce® Classic 5 Oz Karate Uniform, for example, provides the same high quality that ProForce is known for while giving you some extra breathability.
Proforce® 10oz. Karate Uniform
A medium weight martial arts uniform is a good middle ground for anyone who is looking for both breathability and durability in the gear. And the Proforce® 10oz. Karate Uniform is a great option for a medium weight gi because it has a special feature designed to make it even more breathable. Thanks to the incorporation of ultra-channeling ventilation air mesh in the armpits, these strategically placed ventilation panels keep you cool and comfortable during even the most intense training sessions.
Proforce® 14 Oz. Gladiator KATA Karate Uniform
If you prefer to train in a heavy weight gi, the new Proforce® 14 Oz. Gladiator KATA Karate Uniform is for you. This martial arts uniform has all of the high quality and durability that you look for in a classic heavier weight gi, but with two key features that can make a huge difference in your overall comfort level this summer.
First, the short Japanese-style cut that elite competitors love for its clean lines and maximum mobility helps your limbs get a little more air. More importantly, though, the gi has a seersucker lining on the jacket’s shoulders and inside the paint waist that promotes airflow and reduces sticking, keeping you cool when the heat is on.
AWMA® Baseball Hat
Unless you get really creative and have very patient training partners, you probably can’t rock a hat during technique training and sparring. But if you’re training outside this summer, you might want to consider wearing something like the AWMA® Baseball Hat during warmups and cross-training.
Your head is a big surface that gets a lot of direct exposure to sunlight when you train outside. When you cover it with a hat, you’re giving that surface area a chance to stay a little cooler. In theory, that will help regulate your body’s temperature in general, too.
And the benefits don’t stop there. The hat’s band can also soak up some excess sweat. And the brim will give your face some extra shade. So you can feel even cooler and drier while you train and you won’t have to squint as much on a bright sunny day.
If you’re not comfortable training in a hat, you could use a headband to soak up some of that sweat instead.
ProForce® Stretch Hand Wraps
Speaking of sweat absorption, hand wraps are an undersung hero when it comes to summer training. Not only do these small but powerful stripes of fabric support your small bones and soft tissue and help your boxing gloves stay in place, they can do their part to keep you cool.
Hand wraps like the ProForce® Stretch Hand Wraps are surprisingly good at soaking up sweat. Boxing gloves and MMA gloves get hot and wet at the best of times. And they get really hot and soggy when the temperature starts to climb. A pair of hand wraps can’t transform the inside of your gloves into a dry climate-controlled paradise, but they can make things a little less overwhelmingly steamy and soupy.
If you don’t currently train with hand wraps, adding a pair to your workout gear can make your summer striking much more bearable. If you already do, packing a backup pair and changing partway through your session if things get too soaked can help you feel a little more comfortable, too.
