Monday, January 2, 2012

Benefits of Kickboxing Headguards


Just as you wouldn't hit the football field without a football helmet, a jaunt on the kickboxing mat is safest with a head guard. Although kickboxing head guards share the same overall design, they come in sizes, materials and colors to suit all ages and tastes. You can even forgo basic black and go for a head guard in bubblegum pink.
What They Are
Kickboxing head guards are protective headgear that absorbs the impact of blows to your skull. They consist of a soft outer shell and a padded foam interior. They fit snugly on the top and back of your head and secure in place with a chin strap. Head guards can cover your entire skull or an open top. They have small openings near your ears and an open face area. The face area can be fully exposed from the forehead down or contain contoured pads that cover your cheeks and chin. Kickboxing head guards can double for use in other martial arts and boxing.
Materials and Adjustments
The soft outer shell can be leather, leather mixed with polyurethane or other synthetic or a fully synthetic material. The inner lining is usually a dense, polyurethane foam rubber that can be lined with a soft leather to prevent slipping. In addition to a Velcro chin strap, kickboxing head guards can include adjustable leather and Velcro straps along the back of the skull or a top adjustable harness to give you the snuggest fit.
Sizing and Buying
Head guard sizes range from a children's small to an adult's extra large. Although the marked sizes can help narrow down your choice, measuring your head ensures the most accurate fit. Measure your head's circumference by placing a tape measure above your eyebrows and around the back of your skull. Kickboxing head guards are available at retailers that specialize in martial arts equipment and are often imported from Thailand or Germany. Prices in February 2011 started at $40 and increased to $150 or more, depending on the design and materials.
Standards
Head guards can meet a couple of standards, one of which is voluntary in the U.S. and another which is mandatory in Europe. The U.S. standard that governs martial arts protective headgear is ASTM F2397-09, which focuses on the head guard's ability to withstand repeated blows. The CE Mark in Europe indicates the head guard has met health and safety requirements that appear in European legislation. The CE Mark is mandatory for head guards sold in European Union countries.

 
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