What is a rash guard and why is it needed? We’ll tell you in this article.

Why do you need a rash guard?

Martial arts training according to Olympic standards is conducted on hard tatami or mats. Partners often receive abrasions, scratches, and burns. In sparring, opponents use grappling techniques and interact through contact. In this case, infections of damaged skin areas may occur from particles of sweat and microbes. The main purpose of a rashguard is the convenience and safety of combat opponents.

In a rash guard, your body will not cool down between sets, thereby reducing the likelihood of injury.

The use of rash guards in gym and crossfit training is also gaining popularity. Agree, you feel much more comfortable in durable and technological clothes.

Why do you need a rashguard for sports: list of advantages

• Durability If you're still wondering why you need compression garments for sports, count how many T-shirts have "killed" your workouts over the past two years, but four? So one rash guard can replace them all! It is almost impossible to tear, it is very tear-resistant, and does not deteriorate when next to the carpet or exercise equipment in the training room. It endures any training easily, instantly acquiring its original shape. This is why the rash guard is so popular in martial arts, even in a contact fight, the rash guard remains unharmed in sparring;
• Safety , a rash guard protects the athlete’s body from minor injuries and damage when in contact with the carpet, ropes, training equipment or in sparring. In addition, compression underwear boasts a special impregnation, which allows you not to be afraid of bacteria and microbes “living” on the gym floors, and also protects against them upon contact with an opponent;
• Heat retention is the main advantage of compression garments. Remember how pauses in training have a detrimental effect on the condition of the muscles. With rash guards this problem will disappear! Body heat, retained by dense fabric, does not allow the muscles to cool down, so after a break, you can safely return to training without risking your ligaments and muscles;
• Comfort. Dense fabric perfectly supports muscles, reducing stress and allowing you to achieve better results from training. The rashguard dries instantly, so there are no unpleasant, sweat-soaked T-shirts, it is impossible to get burns from the carpet and scratches from a sparring partner, which is a definite plus for fighters of all types of martial arts.

Advantages over regular clothing

1. High class of protection Rashguard is impregnated with an antibacterial composition that disinfects staphylococcal bacillus, viral lichen and fungal infections. The dense texture of the fabric protects the body from injury. The tight-fitting style eliminates snagging on the enemy’s clothing. In grappling, the rash guard is officially accepted as a competition uniform. The usual kimono fades into the background in training and is used mainly for seminars and ceremonial gatherings.
2. Special ergonomic cut Tight-fitting T-shirt does not hinder movement and emphasizes relief contours. Triple flat seams do not chafe the skin. The materials from which the rash guard is made are synthetic spandex, polyester inclusions and nylon. An elastic T-shirt allows the body to breathe and wicks away moisture. In areas where sweating occurs, strategic mesh technology is used to regulate overheated areas. Unlike wool thermal underwear, which absorbs moisture, a rash guard wicks sweat away.
3. Additional support for ligaments and joints Clothing fits tightly, but does not restrict movement. When running and cross-fitting, a rash guard keeps muscles warm better than a regular tracksuit. Throughout the entire workout, blood pumping and muscle warming are maintained, and maximum functionality is maintained. The muscles do not cool down during pauses - the risk of sprains and injuries is reduced. That's why bodybuilders use a rashguard rather than a compression T-shirt.
4. Long-lasting operation that does not require special care. The reliability and durability of equipment clothing is twice as high as that of a compression T-shirt. Rashguard is a durable T-shirt that does not tear or stretch. The drawings are made using the fabric sublimation technique, do not peel off when washed and do not fade.

Conclusion

Buying clothing such as a rashguard is not a problem today. This can be done in every sporting goods store or in an online sporting goods store. The point is not the availability of clothing, but the fact that optimal clothing has appeared in which athletes can feel comfortable during training sessions. It is important that the clothing is suitable not only for mixed martial arts fighters, but also for representatives of other sports disciplines. All this is thanks to the wonderful properties of the material from which such T-shirts are made.

It is worth rejoicing that scientific and technological progress has not stopped. Scientists are developing more and more comfortable sportswear. Athletes can only do what they love and win.

Popular fabrics used to make rash guards

Manufacturers

Rashguard - what is it? Special equipment, which has a lot of useful properties, is ideal for training. The popularity of T-shirts of this type is growing from year to year. In this regard, the market is also increasing. Currently, there are a huge number of manufacturers who are trying to surprise customers.

Let's look at the main ones:

1. Canadian manufacturer Hayabusa. The rash guard is created using a unique technology and is impregnated with silver molecules. Famous MMA fighter Lyoto Machida wears this T-shirt.
2. Under Armour. Another largest manufacturer. The company is registered in America, the company's products are used by one of the greatest fighters in history, Georges St. Pierre.
3. Jaco. This company is also popular mainly due to the fact that bamboo fabric is used in production. Ventilation here is at the highest level.
4. Bad Boy. Probably one of the most budget options. It cannot be said that the material of the rash guard is very different from those of other manufacturers. Technologies for moisture removal have been introduced here, and antibacterial impregnations are included.
5. Tatami and Tatami Fightwear. One of the main equipment of fighters. It differs from products from other companies in its extreme reliability and wear resistance. In addition to fighters, surfers actively use the products.

Of course, this is not the entire list of equipment manufacturers. We have reviewed and mentioned the largest and most famous ones. The cost of a rashguard cannot be called small, but it pays for itself in any case. Therefore, do not waste your money and buy it once and for a long time.

How to choose the right rash guard size

An example of how a rashguard should fit correctly

The main requirement for a T-shirt is that it should fit tightly to the torso, but not fray. If white stretch marks appear during the fitting, you need to take a rash guard one size larger. Clothing should fit comfortably and not cause inconvenience when moving.

size table

Standard European size markings are used: S, M, L, XL, XXL. But when choosing, you need to take into account the individual characteristics of the relationship between height and weight, otherwise the T-shirt may turn out to be short or too narrow.

Rashguard size chart

Main types of compression garments

What types of compression garments exist:

1. A rash guard is a compression training T-shirt, usually with long sleeves. Made from reinforced but thin textiles. It stretches well and fits tightly to the figure.
2. Leggings are tight-fitting pants. They are made from hygienic and hygroscopic material, therefore they are used by sports enthusiasts and professional athletes.
3. T-shirts with short sleeves, T-shirts, shorts, pants, knee socks. They are used in different sports depending on which part of the body needs compression.

What are leggings and their difference from leggings

Leggings appeared in the 18th century as an element of military uniform for men. Back then they were made from thin tanned elk leather, which is where the name of the pants came from. In modern conditions, leggings are made from cotton and polyamide with elastic additives in the form of spandex or lycra. This makes the clothes light and comfortable to put on and wear.

Most often, compression underwear is made from knitwear based on synthetic fabrics. The most common option is polyester. It is durable, wear-resistant and sweat-wicking.

Leggings, unlike tights, are not used for sports. They are most often made of fabric that does not “breathe” and does not absorb sweat. With leggings the situation is different. They absorb moisture well, which ensures hygienic training.

Which brand is better

Premium classes demonstrate increased quality and scrupulous attention to detail. The brands' reputation is supported by high pricing policies and is characterized by cult status. The brands have image popularity among athletes.

Other brands have a lower cost, but this does not mean poor quality. Although they are not well-promoted brands and do not create a sense of exclusivity and selectivity for the owner, they also have the right to be used in professional sports.

What is a rash guard?

A rash guard is a short or long sleeve T-shirt worn by athletes who actively use the muscles of the upper body.

There are 2 main versions of its “origin”:

• Brazilian: athletes who practiced jiu-jitsu and surfing sometimes combined these activities - they fought right on the beach after the swim. And they noticed that surfing clothes were also good for sparring, and began to wear them to workouts in the gym. The Bad Boy company (which produces equipment for fighters) noticed this and began producing rash guards;
• American: The rash guard was invented for American football players so that they would not have to change their regular T-shirts too often, which quickly become wet from sweat. Under Armor was the first to produce this version of rash guards.

How to wash a rashguard after training

Like any other training clothing, the rash guard should be taken care of, at a minimum, it should be washed after training. You can machine wash by hand or just rinse in warm water under the tap.

The temperature should not be higher than 40˚C, since polyester tends to curl and lose elasticity in hot water. You need to squeeze it lightly, dry it only at room temperature, and not on a radiator.

Breathable fabric helps quickly remove sweat odors with regular rinsing without washing powder.

What is a rashguard

Rashguard (rashguard or rash guard) is a training T-shirt made of special materials that fits tightly to the body. This piece of equipment is now used by fighters of all disciplines, but naturally, it is most popular with wrestling schools such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, grappling and MMA.

What are the advantages of a rashguard over regular cotton T-shirts?

• A rash guard is an excellent means of protection against an unscrupulous sparring partner. After all, we all know that wrestling involves constant contact with another person and the mat. And in this equipment, the likelihood of contracting any skin disease, irritation or acne is reduced to zero. And due to antibacterial impregnation, you get complete protection from pathogenic bacteria and microbes.
• Another advantage of rashguards over regular cotton T-shirts is that they are highly breathable, dry very quickly and practically do not tear. It takes a lot of effort to spoil and tear such equipment. And it’s very convenient and effective to work out in it; you practically don’t feel it on yourself, since it’s very light. You will always feel like you are working out without a shirt. It is for this reason that a rash guard is often called the “second skin” of an athlete.
• In such equipment you will not be afraid of minor abrasions and burns on mats.
• During a break, this equipment does not allow your body to cool down, which helps prevent sprains and minor injuries to muscles and ligaments.
• Don’t forget about the aesthetic appearance of an athlete, especially if you have a sculpted body. A fighter dressed in such tight-fitting equipment looks very impressive and intimidating to his opponent.

So, now you know what a rash guard is, you know about its advantages over regular cotton T-shirts, you know what it is for and now you understand that it is vital for you. But how to choose a rash guard? After all, the choice is quite wide - there are a lot of models and manufacturers.

Interesting Facts

• Surfers were the first to use rash guards for body protection in the 90s. Brazilian wrestlers borrowed their experience.

• Women's T-shirts are produced taking into account the anatomical features of the figure. The only company specializing only in sportswear for women is FightChix.

• V. Leontyev used a rash guard in his stage costume.

• The yellow jersey of the leader in cycling is also a rash guard.

• Wrestling federations in grappling have approved rash guards as part of the equipment.

How to choose?

Before purchasing equipment, you need to choose it carefully. After all, different clothes are designed for different sports. The range of models is simply huge, there are an incredible number of varieties of clothing, some stores even have a Venum rash guard. The company is considered one of the leaders; its products have always been distinguished by their quality. Why do you need a rash guard?

Let's look at the form and types of sports:

• long sleeve T-shirts are used by wrestlers, surfers and cyclists;
• The short sleeve is designed for training fighters in a stand-up position.

When choosing a rash guard, it is difficult to leave the store with just one set. In some mystical way, your basket is constantly replenished with equipment of different colors and models. The best option would be to purchase two types of uniforms, which will be kept just in case. Sports compression clothing is not very widely represented on the market. Rashguard suits everyone, why come up with something new if there is an old one that works.