Buying Equipment for a club, limited budget

**gallantknight** · Posted On: 9/24/2008 3:31pm

Hi, I'm going to be running a casual Martial Arts club at my university and I need some suggestions on the stuff that I'm probably going to be picking up -- mainly two sets of thai pads, and a few sets of bag gloves.

My budget is around $400. I live in the Scarborough, Toronto area and I commute to Downtown at University of Toronto.

While I would like to buy tested and true brands such as Fairtex, they are simply too expensive for such a budget. So instead, I was wondering if anyone has had experience with M.D.S.S. Thai Pads, or

http://www.wushuonline.ws/store/prod...=1&prod_id=156 (pardon the wushuonline business, they sell some legit sparring equipment from what I can see) I'm going to be buying 4 of these in total, total $203.24

Alternatively I could buy this brand, which seems slightly more expensive but looks slightly more like the classic Thai pad
http://www.allmasterssupplies.com/pr...s=1&prod_id=47 (they actually cost $50 where I'm buying them from, and I'd need 4 again, total $226)

Next, I need to buy bag gloves because all the other kinds are too expensive. I don't want to buy Everlast, and I found these Century Bag gloves on the same site for fairly cheap.
http://www.wushuonline.ws/store/prod...s=1&prod_id=47

Does anyone know if Century Bag gloves are any good?

Thanks for your help guys!

-Jeff

**PizDoff** · Posted On: 9/24/2008 3:59pm

Did you apply for sponsorship or help from the uni?

I emailed you a contact, not sure if he is still active.

**KO'd N DOA** · Posted On: 9/24/2008 4:00pm

Hi Jeff,

I know nothing about those items. However...

Make sure you apply for student club funding, or is that where the $400 came from. (Years ago I ran a small summer club for one summer at York University)

Therefore in order to help you I called Play it Again Sports on Lawrence Avenue. They don't have anything specific to MT pads, but off the top of their head the do have on hand they do have some boxing gloves and head gear. And who knows what they might have lying around. (not sure if used is appropriate but $400 doesn't go far either). This or other stores Sporting goods stores might be helpful, depending on how causual your club is.

http://toronto.ibegin.com/retail/pla...ce-avenue-east

Best of luck.

KO'd N DOA

**Domite** · Posted On: 9/24/2008 6:28pm

You are gonna need more moneys.

**Schisca** · Posted On: 9/24/2008 9:28pm

Get some TWINS Special Equipment. Their Thai pads are beauties.
http://store.titleboxing.com/twins-p...d-shields.html

They're around 50-100 dollars depending on where you get them from.

EVERLAST bag gloves.. if this is a casual club.. should serve your purpose nicely. You can get those really cheap from Sport Chek.

**Kid Miracleman** · Posted On: 9/24/2008 11:36pm

I've had a lot of luck with KO Fightgear. Their stuff is fairly inexpensive, but good quality:

www.kofightgear.com

If you have some money left over, I'd recommend picking up a body kick pad. My Muay Thai school uses Ringside pads, and they seem to hold up alright:

http://www.ringside.com/RS/ProductDetails/ProductDetails.aspx?pid={8f00821b-dcb9-49cb-b364-5d18ff081b54}&pname=The+Big+Pad&Referer=QUICK_SEAR CH&Alias=body%20kick&ptct=BS-SR&CTitle=&

**Cannon_6** · Posted On: 9/25/2008 9:31am

I agree with Schisca. Go with Title Boxing.

Title's "Professional Thai Pads" are actually made by Twins, and they're only $80 a pair. Those bizarre-looking pads you linked appear to be $45 and $59 EACH.

If you can afford them, get the Twins pads with the buckles. Sooner or later, Velcro always fails.

Also, stay away from vinyl or synthetic leather gloves.

**Ming Loyalist** · Posted On: 9/25/2008 9:58am

you should apply for a wholesaler account with combat sports. all you have to be able to prove is that you run a class (like send them a flyer) you get a significant discount from the list prices (almost 50% off for some of the CSI/top contender brand stuff.)

get the CSI branded stuff for thai pads, and the top contender stuff for gloves.

www.combatsports.com

**Scott Larson** · Posted On: 9/25/2008 10:52am

I also do what Ming is saying. Its been working out very well.

Thai Pads:

http://www.combatsports.com/CSI/Prod...=GL2-SR&CTitle=&

These are on sale now, Windy is a great company.

Bag Gloves:

http://www.ringside.com/RS/ProductDe...=GL2-SR&CTitle=&

These aren't the best gloves, but they work well enough for new people.

Those would be my recommendations for cheap equipment.