Can I Train For Martial Arts In Glasses?
When training for martial arts, whether judo, MMA, or anything else, there are always certain considerations needed in terms of equipment.
You might need headgear, and you’ll almost certainly need gloves. As well as protective equipment, you might need bags, weights, and bands. There’s no hard and fast equipment list that will get you started, but a trip to the gym usually provides you with everything you need.
Some things may be personal. For instance, you might wish to avoid aggravating an injury and have a knee brace to protect your joints. You might even need glasses to improve your vision and ensure that you can see the bag as you swing and kick.
That throws up an interesting question – can you do martial arts if you need glasses?
Glasses and Martial Arts
The answer to the question above is yes and no. There are no martial arts that will allow you to wear glasses during combat, for obvious reasons. Sports where striking is a key component are simply not suited to wearing glasses. There have been instances of MMA fighters wearing contacts – Karo Parisian being one – but again, they’re not practical for the actual combat itself.
That doesn’t mean you can’t wear them if you’re training. Sparring is perhaps a little different, but it’s not uncommon to see fighters wearing sports goggles or glasses when training. Although not strictly martial arts, Manny Pacquiao was picture in glasses as he prepared for his 2016 fight with Tommy Bradley – they were simple sports glasses, not even goggles. Other MMA fighters, such as Conor McGregor, are often seen wearing glasses out of the ring. It’s safe to assume many of those train in glasses as well, although that doesn’t apply to McGregor – he wears glasses as a fashion statement and has nothing wrong with his eyes.
Picking Glasses For Martial Arts
Assuming you need glasses and want to get started in martial arts, you’re going to need to be wise about the pairs you pick. The first thing to do is have an eye test and get your prescription. Any glasses you pick will need to have the right lenses to correct your vision. Just rocking up to a gym in a normal pair of glasses might not be the safest thing to do for a number of reasons.
It is good practice to get a pair of specialty sport glasses. Sometimes, these may be sunglasses, but you can mix and match prescription lenses, tints, and even frames to create the glasses of your choice. Oakley, a brand most commonly associated with sports glasses, will allow you to buy models such as the Flak 2.0 with mildly tinted lenses, ensuring they’re useful for training indoors, as well as out. Those lenses are designed and tested under extreme conditions to ensure that they’re as strong as possible – something you need to be sure of when training.
Oakley is a good choice for glasses to be used during training, so much so that they’re the official eyewear partner of Team USA. That has much to do with the additional features they offer, which further make them suitable for sports. Strong frames are important, as seen in their Sutro range, which boasts the light O Matter® frame for durability and all-day comfort. You can rest easy knowing if your exertion leads to your glasses falling off; a lightweight but durable frame means they won’t break.
To prevent falling off, consider adding a strap as well. Most sports glasses will have that as an option; the Pro Gear Eyeguard models come with it as standard, and you can add prescription lenses as well. With a strap, you can fix your glasses tighter to your face when lifting, running, or hitting the bags and ensure they don’t fall off.
Conclusion
There are lots of sports glasses out there; some with tinted lenses, others with rubber frames. All are designed to be durable and comfortable, allowing you to train and to see at the same time. By taking you time to pick the right pair, you’ll ensure you can stay focused in the gym. In the ring? That’s a different matter.
