How Beneficial is an Altitude Training Mask?

How Beneficial is an Altitude Training Mask?

You see them all over the place at the moment, there’s someone in every gym with one, they’re all over instagram and you can even spot them in hollywood blockbusters like Southpaw. I’m talking about altitude training masks. That guy in the gym who looks like Bane and sounds like Darth Vader swears it’s the same as training in the Himalayas, but what’s the obsession with training at altitude? And what’re the benefits to using an altitude mask?

Continue reading How Beneficial is an Altitude Training Mask?

The Fighter’s Degree – Greg Wootton

The Fighter's Degree - Greg Wootton

The following article was written for Fight Quality by Greg Wootton, a UK Muay Thai fighter, personal trainer and Coach.

It’s not easy being a fighter. Especially to be a great one. For decades we have been burdened with the stereotype of the simple minded brute. Fighting was once considered a poor man’s game, only chosen by those who didn’t have the brains to excel elsewhere. This, however, is changing.

Continue reading The Fighter’s Degree – Greg Wootton

Headgear safety and the sexism debate

Headgear safety and the sexism debate

The importance of headgear in boxing has been a bit of a debate over the last few years, with the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) and the Olympics both seeming to favour the removal of headgear. But why? Surely protection is there for a reason, right?

Continue reading Headgear safety and the sexism debate

The Ultimate Guide To Everything You Need To Know About Boxing Gloves

The Ultimate Guide To Everything You Need To Know About Boxing Gloves

We’ve since released an updated version of this article, with updated information and new additions.

Head to The Ultimate Guide To Boxing Gloves (Updated 2019)

 

Welcome to the Fight Quality ultimate guide to everything you need to know about boxing gloves. This guide aims to be the only resource you’ll ever need when it comes to boxing gloves. We’ve broken down just about everything you need to know, from the specialisations of the different styles of glove, to the different brands available.

Continue reading The Ultimate Guide To Everything You Need To Know About Boxing Gloves

The Student-Coach Relationship Within Combat Sports – Greg Wootton

The Student Coach Relationship Within Combat Sports - Greg Wootton

The following article was written for Fight Quality by Greg Wootton, a UK Muay Thai fighter, personal trainer and Coach.

The relationship between a coach and their student is a very special thing. Built on dedication, solidified through loyalty and sealed by faith it is a unique element involved in sports. However, combat sports can be separated from the others by the intricate and intimate requirements of a coach in martial arts and fight sports.

Continue reading The Student-Coach Relationship Within Combat Sports – Greg Wootton

The Best MMA Gloves – According to UK Fighters

The Best MMA Gloves - According to UK Fighters

MMA gloves are one of the most important items of equipment for MMA. MMA fighters use a small light weight glove which offers less protection than boxing gloves, but allows you to use the hands for grappling as well.

Continue reading The Best MMA Gloves – According to UK Fighters

Fight Quality Film Review – Southpaw (2015)

Film Review - Southpaw (2015)

Southpaw is a classic comeback film. Billy Hope (played by an incredibly in shape Jake Gyllenhaal) is a brawler from New York who loses everything after the tragic death of his wife Maureen (portrayed by Rachel McAdams) including his daughter (Oona Laurence) who is removed from his custody by child services.

Continue reading Fight Quality Film Review – Southpaw (2015)

Guest Review – Reece Mcallister

Guest Review - Reece Mcallister

To those in the UK Muay Thai scene, Reece Mcallister needs no introduction. Throughout his fighting career he’s won a number of titles including previously becoming the Topking World Series champion 2014. He’s taken on some big names, having fought in both Muay Thai and Kickboxing events, and will be taking on current Yokkao World Title holder Jordan Watson later in 2016.

We spoke to Reece to find out a little bit about his favourite gear and training advice.

Continue reading Guest Review – Reece Mcallister

Guest Review – Ben Schneider

Ben Schneider Professional MMA Fighter RDX Boxing Gloves Guest Review

Ben Schneider is a south wales based Professional MMA fighter, fighting out of Arcadia Fighter Manager (Find them on Facebook or Twitter) & Xandao Kickboxing Academy/MMA (Also on Facebook and Twitter). He fights in London, UK, in the longest running and most established show in Europe, UCMMA (Cage Rage).

We spoke to Ben to find out a little bit about his favourite gear and training advice.

Continue reading Guest Review – Ben Schneider

Guest Review – Sean Fagan

Guest Review - Sean Fagan

Many people know Sean Fagan as the owner of Muay Thai Guy and Nak Muay Nation, but he’s also a 2x amateur champion, training out of Stockade Martial Arts in Kingston NY.

Sean’s lead venture Muay Thai guy is a great resource for anyone studying the art of eight limbs, with articles, video tutorials and podcasts which he hosts. Through his website Sean gets to talk to a host of big names from the Muay Thai world. If you haven’t come across any of his stuff before, we suggest you check it all out.

But first, we spent a bit of time talking to Sean to find out a little bit about his favourite gear and training advice.

Continue reading Guest Review – Sean Fagan

The Best Boxing Gloves for Muay Thai – According to UK Fighters

The-best-boxing-gloves-for-Muay-Thai-According-to-UK-fighters

Muay Thai or ‘Thai boxing’ is the cultural martial art of Thailand. The origin of Muay Thai dates back several hundred years, and was essentially developed as a form of close-combat that used the entire body as a weapon, including elbows and knees, leading to it becoming known as “the art of eight limbs”. In modern day, Muay Thai has become a global sport and is often incorporated into the training routines of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters and kickboxers.

Continue reading The Best Boxing Gloves for Muay Thai – According to UK Fighters

Guest Review – Tommi McCormick

Guest Review - Tommi McCormick

Tommi McCormick is a Muay Thai fighter based in England. He has over 20 years experience training Muay Thai and is currently training with Bodyflo gym in Sheffield. He fights at a variety of Promotions, including Yokkao’s UK Events, and Muay Thai Grand Prix where he’ll soon be fighting for the MTGP World Welterweight Title.

We spoke to Tommi to find out a little bit about his favourite gear and training advice.

Continue reading Guest Review – Tommi McCormick

Fight Quality Kettlebell Conditioning Circuit

Fight Quality Kettlebell Conditioning Circuit

When you walk into the gym it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the huge array of equipment for you to choose from, and find yourself faced with choosing which pieces of equipment are going to be the most effective to improve your strength and conditioning. For the most part, all the different equipment is going to improve a different area – the squat rack is going to help you develop overall strength, treadmill sprints are going to help you develop the high intensity/short burst cardio you need in the ring. But what if there was a piece of gear, just one thing, that’s going to give you game changing conditioning, explosive punching power and the kind of muscle endurance that’s going to keep you punching and kicking well after the final round. Sound too good to be true?

Meet the Kettlebell.

Continue reading Fight Quality Kettlebell Conditioning Circuit

Fight Quality Film Review – The Fighter (2010)

Fight Quality Film Review - The Fighter (2010)

The Fighter is a 2010 biographical film about the rise of Micky Ward the well known for his trilogy of fights with Arturo Gatti – the first of which was voted by Ring Magazine as the Fight of the Year 2002 and the third was the Ring Magazine Fight of the Year 2003.

Continue reading Fight Quality Film Review – The Fighter (2010)

Guest Review – Shane Fazen

Guest Review - Shane Fazen

Shane Fazen is the creator of the highly popular YouTube channel Fight Tips, which teaches self defence, martial arts techniques and fitness. He’s also the man behind online training website My Fight Gym. He’s a black belt in taekwondo, international pro muay thai fighter, and an amateur boxer, all as well as spending time coaching others.

We spoke to Shane to find out a little bit about his favourite gear and training advice.

Continue reading Guest Review – Shane Fazen

Guest Review – Megan Anderson

Guest Review - Megan Anderson

Megan Anderson is a Female Mixed Martial Artist who was born and raised in Australia. In 2015 she moved to in Kansas City, Missouri in the USA, now training at Glory MMA and Fitness. She currently fights for Invicta Fighting Championships at 145lb.

Update: Since originally holding the interview in 2016, Megan has gone on to fight in the UFC, stepping into the octagon for fights against big names such as Cat Zingano and Holly Holm.

We spoke to Megan to find out a little bit about her favourite gear and training advice.

Continue reading Guest Review – Megan Anderson