Here I am coming at you with a product I know you have never seen before. These gloves are brand new to the market and have tons of innovative features. Everything from specific hammerfist and ridgehand padding to a special closure system. Right now there are two different models. One intended for amateur competition(blue or red) use and one strictly for training(black), although either one can be used in training. I personally use these gloves all the time, and really don’t have enough good things to say about them, not to mention that some national organizations use them and some even mandate them . Here is a list of some of the other features

-Hammerfist and ridgehand padding

-Padding over the punching knuckles and padded mid-knuckles

-Inovative closure system which provides excellent wrist protection for an mma glove

Here is also a video showing them in use.

There is also some headgear that I will feature in a later article(also seen in the video). Be sure and check back for a full review of these gloves that will for sure not disappoint.

Just wanted to let everyone know about an upcoming seminar in Hawaii at Chris Leben’s Fight School. Its going to feature Greg Thompson from Next Level Martial Arts right here in my hometown of Tigard Oregon. Greg is an excellent Coach and works with UFC fighters such as Nate “Rock” Quarry, Ed “Short Fuse” Herman and of course Chris Leben. I have personally worked with Greg and really can’t recommend enough, that if you are in the area to check this seminar out. Be sure and check out www.nextlevelmma.com if you are in the Portland area, and for more info on the seminar give Chris Leben’s fight school a call at (808)626-5283

There are a lot of mma shorts out there, with all kinds of features and gimmicks. Everything from special clsoure systems to 4-way stretch material. With that said I have always been a fan of Sprawl, and they have now come out with their latest pair of shorts, the Fusion II Stretch Series. I will have a review coming up of these, but I wanted to give you a look at some of the things that have updated. Here is a list straight from Sprawl.

Our latest evolution is another step forward in design and performance.  With a new distinctive look, the Fusion 2 delivers unmatched durability and features:

• A wider waistband for increased comfort and stability.
• A repositioned side slit to reduce ride up when working from the guard.
• Heavier construction for a new standard of durability.

Over the past two years I have received a lot of questions ranging from,”What’s your favorite glove?” to “What shorts fit the best?” and so on. However the question that I get the most is,”Do you use any supplements?” This sis something that I think goes along with working out in general. Everyone ones to get bigger, stronger, and faster as quick as possible, and are willing to spend hundreds of dollars to do so. Its not like I am not one of those people, but I do know the first thing is putting in the work. Anyway enough about that, the reason for this is recently I got a chance to try out two different supplements from Driven Sports. I tried them in a stack form which means I took them both at the same time. Here is some preliminary info on both of them.

TESTOSTERONE…

It builds men. But you don’t want to let your own physical limitations hold you back! What you need is an equalizer. You need Activate Xtreme™!

Activate Xtreme™ is the pinnacle of testosterone enhancement in the sports nutrition industry. Not only does Activate Xtreme™ rapidly increase free testosterone, it also provides total testosterone enhancement, adaptogenic support, estrogenic control, and boosts sex drive.

Optimize TOTAL testosterone: Activate Xtreme™ was thoroughly researched over a year in order to create the most rounded product available!
Increase FREE testosterone: Divanil™ is the ONLY scientifically proven extract for binding SHBG and boosting free testosterone!
Increase SIZE and STRENGTH: More testosterone, more strength, better performance!
Do you want to bust through plateaus, set new personal records and get bigger?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, then welcome to the world fuelled by Activate Xtreme™.

MAXIMUM HORMONAL DOMINATION

You WANT SIZE, you WANT STRENGTH and you WANT IT NOW! But your body has other ideas.

Sound familiar?

Thought so. Your body has several hormones it releases that govern muscle mass, with the king being the hormone that makes a man a man: Testosterone. On a daily basis the body only releases a certain amount of testosterone, which creates a problem for those wanting to get as big and strong as possible in the shortest amount of time. This is controlled by what is called the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular Axis (HPTA). Now its time to level the playing field, because thanks to Triazole™ your HPTA met its match!

Triazole™ represents a REVOLUTION for the sports nutrition industry. Never before has an anti-estrogen been so powerful. The Triazole™ formula is based on a potent all natural aromatase inhibitor that simultaneously acts to protect the liver and provides anti-oxidant support to the whole body! Expect MAXIMUM HORMONAL DOMINATION!

• Control estrogen to boost testosterone: By short-circuiting the machinery that creates estrogen, your body is FORCED to create MORE TESTOSTERONE!
• Higher testosterone = more muscle mass: By increasing androgen binding on muscle cells, testosterone will rapidly increase protein synthesis rates leading to MORE SIZE!
• Improve in-gym performance: NOTHING increases strength in the gym like testosterone, so prepare for the gains of YOUR LIFE!

Huge promisies right, well if you are anything like me you may have looked at some of these and thought if they worked. I can honestly say that these two supplements did change my workouts. I did not get any blood work done so I can not prove whether or not these really did make my testosterone any higher, but I can tell you what I noticed. The most noticeable thing was recovery time, it went from maybe being sore for two days down to one day at the most and my workouts were still just as hard. I also noticed that I was leaning out faster than I normally do and my diet did not change. I have never been the type of person that could put on muscle easy and typically have to work harder than most just to put on five pounds(yes I am trying to gain size) and while taking these supplements I may have put on three or four pounds but visually I looked more defined. My strength did go up some but nothing that I would call,”Freakish” and my overall mood seemed to be better than normal.

Bottom line do they work? First there is not a supplement out there that is going to give you big muscles without putting in the work, not even PED’s. For me, they have been one of the supplements that I have tried that I have actually had some results with. Will they work for everyone? I don’t know, as everybody type is different. I would imagine that some people would get a lot better results then I did. If you have been looking at these supplements and have been on the fence I can say go ahead and give them a try. These are some of the few supplements out  there that MMAGearAdvice.com will put their stamp of approval on. Please be sure and visit Driven Sports’ website at www.getds.com for more info.

**Disclaimer** I received these at no cost for the purpose of review and received no payment from the company to do the review.

Some of us do it, some of us don’t. Its called an ice bath. If you have done it before you know what a pain it can be to not only find a location if you are on the go, and how long it can take to get one ready plus the clean up. Well I think that I have found the solution with the Icybath. Its actually pretty cool to have a bathing tub that you can carry around with you and just fold out on site. Think about it, right after training you don’t have to go back home(or wherever you are staying) and get one ready, you now could have one on site. I personally like this idea, and for those of you who have never tried this, you don’t know what you are missing. Here is a little bit more from the manufacturer.

Designed for Athletes
The development of the IcyBath is centered on making ice bathing safer and more convenient for its users. Athletes often use this therapy to recover from intense training, at which point they are fatigued. Using uncomfortable containers, such as large trash bins, can be dangerous and requires additional exertion. The IcyBath incorporates a ladder for easy and safe access, allowing the athlete to climb in and out with little effort. Another important feature is the seat, which allows the athlete to rest while ice bathing and benefit fully from the therapy without additional discomfort.

Designed for Physiotherapists
Not only does the IcyBath vastly improve the ice bathing experience for athletes, it also provides unprecedented convenience and ease for the entire team. Its foldable and ergonomic design allow for easy manipulation, to the extent that one person can transport and set up the IcyBath. When folded, the IcyBath takes up little space and can be easily transported from one location to another. This allows for ice bathing to be performed on location, according to the needs of the physiotherapist’s recovery program.

Designed for Professionals
Designed with the professional athlete in mind, the IcyBath not only performs like high quality equipment but it also looks the part. Its sleek aesthetics are a huge improvement over the image conveyed by the use of containers such as trash bins. The IcyBath clean design, combining aluminium and glossy white surfaces, transmits the quality and value of professional sports equipment.

For more information here is a couple videos

Be sure and take look at this if you use ice baths as something in your routine, I am sure that it could make ice bathing not only easier, but maybe more people would be willing to give it a try. For more info please check out www.icybath.com

**Disclaimer** I received no payment from the company to do the feature article.

Per Manufacturer- Exclusive Gel Enforced Lining® and multi-layered foam padding form an unbeatable combination of power, performance and protection. GEL® lining delivers a winning layer of custom form fit and impact resistance for champion results. GEL® infused tri-stacked cuff with 360 degree wraparound wrist strap with hook-and-loop closure provides extra support and security. Removable elastic cuff sleeves allow athlete to convert from bag gloves to sparring gloves in seconds. Moisture wicking hand compartment liner helps deliver cool, dry and comfortable training. Crafted from select hides of full grain leather.

First Impression- When I got these gloves out of the box that they came in I was immediately impressed. Just from looks, they are extremely clean looking and you can tell they are made with quality in mind.

Construction- These gloves are absolutely excellent. The stitching is done very well, with very few loose threads, and has double stitching in all the right places. The leather on these is soft, yet durable. One thing that bothered me on the previous title glove I tried was the hook and loop system was almost all made of elastic. Well they have done away with that, and gone to a small piece of elastic and the rest is actual leather. These gloves have a gel lining that goes over the fist and offers more protection for your hand than just normal padding. They also feature a breathable panel in the palm of the glove. In the past I have not been a fan of this but this one is small enough, and feels like it will be durable enough to maintain lots of use. The inner lining of these gloves is extremely soft and does a great job at wicking away moisture. Everything about these gloves screams quality and I am not the only one who thinks it. Check out what Matt M. (@MushiPanda on twitter) has to say as well,

“I can honestly say after 15 plus years of stand up training, there is no better glove out there, period. Title has left nothing to spare with the new Intense, its designed to be an all around glove and surpasses most sparring or bag gloves designed for the one use only, Title is proving why they are being noticed more and more in the gym and in the bags of most elite strikers.”

Fit- Whenever I get a new pair of gloves this is the biggest area of concern to me. I can get over small quality control issues, but fit is just that. It either fits well or it doesn’t. Well these gloves fit perfectly. They are tight where they need to be and feel very secure on my hand. When I first slid my hands into these gloves I was blown away with how comfortable they are. These are a 16oz gloves and feel like it. It is very easy to make a fist in them, and the attached thumb is in the perfect position. With the hook and loop style closure system you can get just the right amount of wrist protection. In the previous version of this glove I had noticed that my hands got very sweaty due to the fact that there was virtually no ventilation, well that s no longer the case with the added mesh panel in the palm. Now my hands don’t get as sweaty and that mesh provides just the right amount of ventilation. Really the only negative thing that I could come up and its small, is that they are not the easiest to open the hand so some clinch work was harder than others.

Mitts/Pads- I really could not find a use where I did not like these gloves. They work great when using pads or mitts. Provide plenty of protection for the hands and the wrist, and feel great while doing it. The gloves don’t feel overly heavy and are actually very well balanced. There was little to no hand fatigue as it was very easy to make a fist.

Heavy Bag- This is just another great use for these gloves. There really isn’t a whole lot I can say that I haven’t already said. They feel great, and do acutely what they are suppose to do. The padding in them does an excellent job at keeping your hand safe and I had no soreness after using these like I have experienced with other gloves after many rounds on the heavy bag.

Sparring- Now I thought, typically gloves are good for either bags and mitts, or sparring not both. Either they are too stiff or too soft. Well finally Title brings you a gloves that you will love for both. Not only will you love them but so will your sparring partner. Something that I haven’t really touched on is that these gloves come with a detachable sleeve that goes over the hook and loop closure system to protect both you and your partner. These still provide plenty of support and the padding is soft enough that you will not cause serious injury to your sparring partner.

Pros-

*Fantastic Construction

*Overall Fit

*Multi Use

Cons-

*Not as easy to open the hand for clinch work(I am really digging here guys)

Overall- If there is one review you read of mine and think I might buy this product please let it be this one. These are without a doubt the best gloves I have used and continue to use them almost on a daily basis. With an excellent fit and unbelievable construction you really cant go wrong, so if you are in the market for a new pair of gloves, and maybe if your not, be sure and check out these gloves. You will not be disappointed and be sure and tell them MMA Gear Advice sent you.

Click here to buy TITLE Gel® Intense Bag/Sparring Gloves

**Disclaimer** I received these at no cost for the purpose of review and received no payment from the company to do the review.

Just when you thought that MMAHQ.com could not get any better, they go and do this, and launch www.bjjhq.com. This site is going to have stuff exclusive to both gi and no-gi jiu jitsu. Already have seen some really good deals on things like GI’s and shorts. Be sure that if you are a fan of www.mmahq.com that you check out www.bjjhq.com and tell them that I sent ya.

Per Manufacturer-

Triple layer foam padding, This gloves provides complete protection for both the fist and wrist, features a unique double strap, safety strap closing system that offers the utmost in security and support. Attached padded thumbs, soft poly/nylon lining for quick drying.

First Impression- Like many things from Ring to Cage I was really looking forward to trying these gloves out. They looked well put together, and had the usual green colors that Ring to Cage is known for.

Construction-I have looked at so many different pairs of gloves and have seen so many levels of construction. I would put these gloves at the higher end of that spectrum. While they are not the best gloves that I have seen or tested they are build very well. There is no loose threading and all of the stitching is done very well. The leather on them is pretty stiff, but these are bag gloves so that was to be expected. Something on these that you wont find on every glove is a dual closure system. In this glove it is done well, but I will get more into that in the “fit” section of this review. The lining on the inside of this glove is soft, and feels good against the hand.

Fit-The fit of these was just okay for me. If you have read some of my previous reviews you know that I have smaller hands, and these gloves were even a little tight on me. The lining on the inside of the gloves did a good job at wicking away the moisture, but at the same time made my hands feel hot. Now onto the closure system. For me I thought that it was just okay. I have tried other gloves with this same style of closure system, and sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. This was one of those times where it was just in the middle. What I mean by that is while it was comfortable I do not know if having the extra strap really made that much difference in the wrist support.

Pad/Mitts- I tried these out just like I would any other glove in the three stand up areas I normally would. First is Pads and Mitts. These gloves are really not designed for this so the be perfectly honest I gave them a little time on the mitts, and moved on. The reason is that there are other gloves that I like so much more for this and really wanted to get to what these gloves were intended on being used for. If someone were to ask me if I like these for using with mitts or pads I would simply tell them,”Ehh.”

Heavy Bag- Here is what these gloves are designed for, the heavy bag. I strapped them on and got to work. They feel pretty good during the workout although like I mentioned before my hands would get hotter then when I have used other gloves. The wrist support was good, but not the best that I have ever used, and the padding did exactly what it is suppose to do when making contact with the bag. Was there anything that I really did not like about these gloves, no they work well at what they are designed to do. They have a good weight to them(12oz) which adds to your workout, but does not make them feel bulky, and found it easy to make a fist without my hand becoming fatigued half way into my workout.

Sparring- Really all I can say is do not use them for this. Not only is the padding to dense to begin with, but with all that work on the heavy bag they are only going to get harder. Do your training partner a favor and leave these for the bag.

Pros-

*Great Construction

*Good Design

Cons-

*Tight hand compartment

*Need better ventilation

Overall-Really what it comes down to is do I recommend these gloves or not. If you are looking for a solid pair of bag gloves then I say yes. If you are looking for a more well rounded glove that you could use in many different types of drills then maybe you should look at something else however you can still look at Ring to Cage as they have many different gloves to choose from. These gloves can be purchased for right around $55.

Click here to buy Ring to Cage Safety Strap Bag Gloves

**Disclaimer** I received these at no cost for the purpose of review and received no payment from the company to do the review.

The Perfect Fusion of Innovative Design and Ancient Tradition.

No detail has been overlooked in the creation of this flawlessly engineered line. Fashioned with the most exquisite full grain leather, and a battle-tested arsenal of technical innovations, each piece in this elite collection offers fighters unmatched functionality, durability and a distinctive classic elegance that will re-define what it means to step into battle equipped for war.

The Hayabusa Kanpeki Elite line MMA Gloves showcase an exceptional combination of stunning craftsmanship, superior combat technology and stunning design that truly lives up to the reputation that has made Hayabusa the #1 trusted brand in MMA. Hayabusa – the true spirit of a fighter.

• Exclusive Y-shape volar design to keep gloves tight to the palm whether fists are clenched or when hands are open.
• Dual cross directional strap system for ultimate wrist support and striking performance.
• 4oz. regulation weight, professional MMA gloves.  

Per manufacturer-

Intimidation Clothing makes clothes for MMA and boxing fans and fighters, inspired by the lifestyle and the attitude of the industry. We’re not afraid to be bold and edgy, and we know that you’re not either. Our goal is to make our products affordable and accessible so that everyone can enjoy them. Looking good and feeling great in our t-shirts won’t set you and your budget back, and that’s a promise we plan to keep.

First Impression- When I first pulled these shirts out I really liked the difference in styles of the shirts. One of them was closer to your Affliction style of shirt, while another was a much more conservative and toned down look. Let see how they stack up.

Construction- The construction of these shirts is great. There is no loose threads and all of the stitching is done very well. They use different types printing on the shirts, some use a , where as others are a discharge style ink for that super soft feel that only a premium shirt has. Intimidation uses a 4.3oz 100% ring spun cotton in their shirts, but recently in some shirts are using a 5.5oz cotton for an ultra premium feel.

Fit- I received three different shirts from them all in a medium size, and while they all fit me there are some differences. The “Authority” t-shirt that they sent me seems to be the one that has the fit which is like most other medium shirts that I wear. The other two shirts are just a little bit smaller. Now one thing that really bothers me about shirts is after you wash them for the first time and they shrink. Intimidation does use different blanks for different shirts, which is something that is pretty normal so I found that there was some shrinkage, but not to all the shirts. The “Authority” t-shirt had zero shrinkage, but the other two shirts there was some, so just read which blank they are using an order accordingly. I am sure that you can always ask them for sizing tips as their customer service is top notch.

Design- Just from my stand point I like most of their designs. They are well done and cover a large amount of styles, so most people should be able to find something that they like. Yeah, there are some in your face styles, but there are also some more subtle styles just depends on what you are into.

Pros-

*Solid construction

*Lots of different styles

Cons-

*Shrinkage in some shirts

Overall- What can I say? Intimidation clothing for the most part makes a great shirt. The construction is excellent and they have some solid designs and styles. Really the only negative that I could find is that some of the shirts shrink and some of them do not. Be sure that if you are in the market for some new t-shirts and want to wear something that you are not going to see every two minutes while walking down the street, check out Intimidation Clothing. I do not think that you are going to be disappointed.

Click here to buy Intimidation Clothing T-shirts

**Disclaimer** I received these at no cost for the purpose of review and received no payment from the company to do the review.