Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
As children, most of us would wrestle our friends to see who is stronger. This wrestling took on many forms such as arm wrestling, grappling and even mimicking professional wrestlers. What we didn’t quite consider then was the equipment that these professionals used to help them reach their peak levels of performance, and as a result ended up with minor injuries that got us in trouble. Just like any other sport, to take part in wrestling, there are vital things you will need to have. Wrestling is a physical contact and combat sport that utilizes grappling techniques in the form of pins, throws and takedowns and is usually either for competitive purposes, fitness or entertainment. Wrestling however being a contact sport built around strength and speed doesn’t require a lot of equipment. It is however good to be prepared adequately.
This sport has some of the fewest requirements for participation. However, like other sports, watching a wrestling match you will see wrestlers using specific equipment and dressed in gear and attire this sport. Some of the basic equipment needed for wrestling includes a wrestling mat, a unitard or wrestling singlet, wrestling shoes, kneepads, mouth guards and headgear. Most of these equipment is needed for wrestler safety and as a means to protect them from injury. Being a physical contact sport, wrestlers are exposed to injuries and as such measures need to be taken to protect them during their participation in this fun sport. This equipment also coincides with the rules of the game to make wrestling a civil sport and not just senseless fighting. Wrestlers trust this equipment to keep them in adherence to the rules and regulations of the game, enable them test the limits of their performance while keeping them safe from injuries.
Walking into a wrestling gym the first thing you will see is a wrestling mat. Whether it’s a match or practice, a wrestling mat should be present. Wrestling mats come in standard sizes and design either as high school mats, practice mats and international mats. They are designed to protect players and also enforce the rules for each style of the game. Square shaped mats are usually 12 by 12 metres while octagonal shaped mats have a diameter of 15 metres. The mats should preferably be 7cm thick and of high density shock absorbing foam. This padding is necessary to protect wrestlers when they take hard hits to the floor. Good wrestling mats are expected to be made of non-abrasive vinyl to make cleaning easy while preventing slipping. One thing a wrestler should get is appropriate wrestling clothes. This may be the common wrestling unitards or a wrestling singlet. Wrestling singlets are usually made of Nylon or Lycra and cover an athlete’s torso with straps to protect their shoulders. Wrestlers can’t fight without clothing hence the need for these unitards and singlets. They are meant to keep wrestlers clothed but also keep them from concealing hidden padding and tools that may give favour in a fight, hence their sheer nature. Different colours also identify different teams. Wrestlers also need several sets of practice clothes for comfort and reliability during practice. Although it’s not a must, wrestlers may have appropriate and well-fitting headgear and ear-gear for both practice and matches. They are preferred for higher level matches that could get more physical. They usually come in one size with adjustable straps. They protect a player’s ears and head from hard hits during matches that could lead to a condition called Cauliflower ear. Wrestling shoes are worn to help a player move on the vinyl mat without losing their footing and avoid injuries. They are usually light and comfortable to enhance mobility and give a wrestler endurance. Wrestling kneepads are worn around the knees as many wrestlers injure their knees during the shooting process in this sport. Mouth guards are usually worn to protect wrestlers’ jaws and teeth from hard hits that could fracture their jaws injuries and even make them lose teeth. In some cases, especially tournaments, wrestlers may wear wrestling bands on their ankles that are used as identification for their teams and make scoring easier for the referee. This is necessary as with the contact and speed of the sport, scores may be awarded wrongly may lead to misidentification of penalties. Most wrestling gyms are also equipped with fitness and training equipment. Wrestlers are suckers for getting buff and being the fittest on the mat. These training equipment comes in form of weights and exercise machines to help get them in shape and maintain high levels of fitness to improve their performance on the mats. In wrestling speed, size, endurance and strength are key and this equipment serves as an important tool in getting wrestlers in perfect shape for participation.
The presence of these equipment gives wrestlers the confidence to participate by knowing their safe and protected from injuries that are quite common in this sport. This sport is very physical and once in a while things have gone awry. Wrestlers are aware of the dangers and use these equipment to avoid career ending and lifelong injuries. They also make the sport standard and give it a form of fairness. The required equipment for wrestling is few and cheap in comparison with other sports. You should also get the necessary and appropriate equipment to be in line with the rules and regulations of the game. Safety is vital in every sort, even more vital in contact sports. Wrestling equipment is designed mostly to give wrestlers safety and protection while participating in a fun and exciting game.
Although there is very little requirement for wrestling equipment, the absence of the few existing requirements could be hazardous. Most of these equipment are geared towards protecting the wrestlers from injuries but also keep the game fun within the rules and regulations. Wrestling without equipment could lead to disqualification. These equipment will also keep wrestlers from being disqualified by keeping them in line with the sport’s rules and regulations.
Are you interested in wrestling as a career, hobby or just for fitness? If so, you may have wondered what you need to start down this path. This article goes to show that besides the brawn, the resilience and the attitude, you do not need much equipment to be a wrestler. It is easy and cost friendly to go into wrestling. This sport is quite welcoming as it has very little requirement for professional equipment. Once in, your performance and skill could carry you to greater heights, more fun and excitement.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
