Custom Mouth Guards: Worth the Investment? by Alive Boxer Jason Clark

Custom Mouth Guards: Worth the Investment?
Jason Clark’s Experience with the Process and the Result

I’m fairly new to Alive and the sweet science of Boxing, however after one trip to my local sporting goods store it quickly became apparent that the quality and range of boxing equipment was severely lacking. In addition, the sales staff was not qualified to provide guidance or even answer basic questions.
So, as I looked around the gym and all the different types of gloves, wraps and headgear, first wanted to know where they came from, and second, what’s the difference between various brands and types of gear? What’s the difference between Grants and Reyes Gloves and are wrestling and boxing shoes really different?
For boxing equipment there are two main suppliers Ringside (http://www.ringside.com/) and Title (http://www.titleboxing.com/). Both websites have a huge selection of boxing products and sizes and you can find regular sales events on selected products. Unfortunately, the only way to purchase gear is online and while they have very user friendly web sites, you can’t ask questions, try something on for size or feel and the ordeal of returning a product by post sends a shiver down my spine. Therefore, any feedback you can get on a product prior to ordering increases your chances of success.
There are many good resources for independent gear reviews; I’ve listed a few of my personal favorites below:
§ Rate this Gear (www.youtube.com/user/ratethisgear)
§ Sherdog Forum Gear & Equipment Reviews (www.sherdog.net/forums/f67/)
§ Boxing Forum (www.boxingforum.com/boxing-equipment-reviews/)
§ Asking gym buddies

Contrary to popular belief, some of us British citizens do actually value our teeth. I’ve tried a few of the boil/bite mouth guards and while they do represent great value for money I’ve never had a great fit (must be the Austin Powers teeth). During sparring, I found myself biting my tongue time and time again and the mold of my teeth never felt quite right. I became determined to find a better alternative and after reading some online reviews of various mouth guards, jawzz (http://www.jawzz.com/) seemed to be the best bet.
The price ranges from $75 through to $195 and as far as I can tell, the difference on price represents the amount of custom design artwork requested. I opted for the basic mouth guard, which includes a single color & one word artwork.
After placing my order, the kit (including instructions) was shipped within 2 business days. One warning, if you’re the type of person who tosses the IKEA instructions away prior to assembly, I suggest you actually read these instructions first! The instructions for fitting the mouth guard were clear and well written and also included pictures that walked you through each step. The first step is similar to the regular boil/bite mouth guards; you boil the rubber mouthpiece for about 30 seconds and then quickly bite down to leave an imprint of your teeth. The next step is what makes this mouth guard unique. Included in the kit is something that looks like two different strips of clay; you soften them up by kneading them together for a minute or so (very James Bond), and then you line the mouthpiece with the clay. Once that’s all set, you bite down on the mouthpiece again, but this time, for about 3 minutes. The clay feels pretty strange in your mouth, and you can actually feel it starting to harden and mold around your teeth. One plus – the clay is grape-flavored! After you take the mouthpiece off your teeth, you’ll see a perfect mold of your bite. There is some paperwork to complete that includes your artwork and font selections and then you just send it back in the packaging that was included in the kit. Once your mold is received, it typically takes 3-5 weeks to get your finished guard. The process was fairly straightforward and any queries you have are typically answered through email quickly and efficiently.
In terms of performance, the mouth guard is excellent; it’s a perfect fit, no more tongue injuries and I find it much easier to breathe during sparring and talk in between rounds without removing my guard, dropping it on the floor and weighing up the pro’s & con’s of replacing it without rinsing first.
The cons include the expense; while this is an important piece of safety equipment the top of the range at $195 is crazy. I suggest forgetting the custom artwork and leaving it to the UFC guys. As I mentioned before it appears to be the same basic mouth guard across the selections. Secondly 3-5 weeks is a long time to wait for delivery of the final mouth guard.
In conclusion I highly recommend the Jawzz basic mouth guard. Safety to me (and my M.D. wife) is a priority and worth the expense. Please remember that the Alive gym does stock a selection of gear including low cost mouth guards, which are perfect if like me, you often leave yours at home.
Regardless of a person’s budget, true value for money is measured by a product’s ability to meet its intended use. So, if you see someone with a piece of gear you have been thinking about purchasing, ask them about the pro’s & cons and make another Alive friend in the process.

You Want to Know What it’s Like to be an MMA Fighter? by Eric Herner

You want to know what it’s like to be an MMA Fighter?

It’s almost time. I see my opponent warming up with his game face on, his music hits and he enters the cage. My fight coach is going over game plan and making sure I have the Vaseline on my face. My music hits and I walk to the cage. I enter never taking my eyes off the man standing across from me whom I am about to battle. He is 6’3 and 266 pounds. I am 40 pounds less tonight. He makes me look small.
As I stare into his eyes, the ref is going over the rules. I am waiting… His eyes look down and away from me for a second. Mike Tyson says “That is when you know you have broken you opponent’s spirit. Then he is yours” My adrenaline calms and I feel at home. He is my cage, and I own him tonight.
We touch gloves and the fight starts. 33 seconds later, it is over. My head is spinning and my heart is pounding. This is the greatest adrenaline rush I have ever felt in life. My hand is raised I walk out of the cage an undefeated MMA fighter. It’s a whirlwind of adrenaline and emotion, but I manage to call my mom moments after and tell her I won. She is in tears. She is proud of her baby boy. She is most proud because for months she has listened to my stories of pain, struggle and strife to get to that moment.
I didn’t just step into the cage that night without earning the right to. I am not a backyard brawler. I am not a street fighter. I am a trained Mixed Martial Artist. I started with a dream and a goal. I did not realize however, how much work it would take to achieve such goals. Although I have reached one goal, I know now to be at the top of this game, you have to push and pull and give everything you have for this sport.
I train everyday with world class fighters and have world class coaches. Brazilian Top Team Brown belts and Black belts twist me in ways I should not be twisted. Professional boxers beat me until I learn how to move and block. Judo’s best and brightest throw me around with ease. Grappling champions sit on me and rain down punches. The men and woman I train with cause me more pain than anyone has ever in my entire life, But when I enter the cage, they and I both know why it is that I subject myself to this punishment almost 6 hours a day. I will come out of that cage with a victory.
I won’t lie. Training for MMA is hard. Maybe the hardest thing some have ever done. You will go home with black eyes. Your nose will bleed daily. You will have bruises from top to bottom. Your limbs will be sore and joints will be stiff. You may have a hard time sleeping during the night due to the pain.
However, you will become faster and stronger than you have ever been. More agile and intuitive than ever before. Confidence will radiate through you. Lesser problems in your life will seem easy to manage. You will make friends and create bonds stronger than ever before. You will be a part of a team and a new family. An Elite family.
And when it comes time for you to step into the cage, you will stare into your opponents eyes, and send a message that no pain he will try to inflict on you will be measurable to the pain you endured to get here. Win or lose that night, you are on a stage most men and woman cannot fathom standing on. You are special. You are a fighter. A Mixed Martial Artist.