02/10/2026
Just thought I'd share a chat I had with a Yu Martial Arts Collective parent about something that's really important both to all our members and to the Yu Mac collective. Safety vs affordability!!!
Picture 1: this is a top ten headguard. It's the market leader, has been for the last 15 years or so. The model has been adopted by international governing bodies as the bench marker model, this includes Olympic TKD and WAKO kickboxing. In the main due to its lightweight modelling, dense protection panelling but most Importantly the cross bar at the top of the headguard to protect the top of the head. In kickboxing kicks to the top of the head are the most dangerous and in the very few serious injuries it's that part of a participants head that's most vulnerable.
It's agreed as being the best by all knowledgeable governing bodies but it's also by far the most expensive, new ones retail at £100.00 and a lot of retailers have a waiting list 😞. Feel free to Google it.
Picture 2: these and similar headguards are cheaper, available at amazon, sports direct etc. They're cheaper, easier to get but most importantly they don't have a cross bar and most governing bodies won't allow competitors to use them, these are available for approx £20.00 - 30.00 and due to the cost of everything we understand why ppl buy them, as Martial Arts isn't cheap.
Picture 3: YUMAC have always tried to source our own more affordable version of market leading products, we've done that with gloves, insteps, uniform etc etc. Our products are comparable in standard and performance but most importantly significantly cheaper. Our headguard has the crossbar, dense panelling and is still lightweight and durable and is almost half the price of the Top Ten version! They're available at reception if you want further info.
This isn't a marketing post, it's more a re-ash of a conversation with a member parent, we always understand kit seems expensive but we spend a load of time trying to make things more affordable so it helps everyone.
🙏🏽
