Bruised forearm from holding pads

[Champions1966]

Started my first Muay Thai class a few days ago but I've got a question. When I was holding the pads I could feel the guys kicks easily through the pads. They hurt a lot (I know its a contact sport) and I thought the whole point of pads is that they are supposed to take the damage? I now have huge bruises on both forearms and I'm not sure if everyone gets that from holding pads or if I was holding them wrong etc? Thanks

 

[PowerrDouble]

But seriously, you'll get over it. Weird big bruises are common when you're just starting out.

 

[Rear Naked]

When the fighter is throwing the kick or strike at your pads, move the pads a little closer to his oncoming kick/punch to come out and "meet" their shin/ hand with your pad. It should help lessen the blow and ease your arms

 

[Champions1966]

But seriously, you'll get over it. Weird big bruises are common when you're just starting out.

yer I thought so. So you don't get bruises every time you hold the pads now?

 

[lloydrage]

When the fighter is throwing the kick or strike at your pads, move the pads a little closer to his oncoming kick/punch to come out and "meet" their shin/ hand with your pad. It should help lessen the blow and ease your arms

This, and your skin will toughen up over time

 

[M@sato]

What was the condition of the pads you were holding? I only ask this because another reason (apart from you being new or not holding them properly etc) is that if the quality of the pad itself is poor or it is in poor shape (foam worn down), then you'll obviously feel the impact more.

The first pair of Thai pads that I bought for my own home gym were Madison, and they were pretty bad. They were curved and looked good, but were hard as rock. Not knowing any better I figured that's how all Thai pads were, and went to town on them. My friend holding them got some pretty nasty bruises down both his forearms. I've since acquired two more pairs (Fairtex & SMA) and it's a world of difference! No more bruising for my training partners, and the pads absorb the force of kicks infinitely better.

 

[Snubnoze707]

I've bruised people's arms through good shape Fairtex pads. A lot of variables come into play. How hard the kicker kicks, how well conditioned your arms are, how well you're catching the kicks, and how good of quality the Thai Pads are.

 

[ghost scribble]

When the fighter is throwing the kick or strike at your pads, move the pads a little closer to his oncoming kick/punch to come out and "meet" their shin/ hand with your pad. It should help lessen the blow and ease your arms

This. Watch any trainer, they don't just hold their arms up limp and take the impact, they give back a little force during contact.

Besides that you'll just have to get used to it.

 

[CosItsFun]

Yah, my fore arms used to hurt like hell from holding pads when I first began but not anymore

 

[nomilkforsanta]

Started my first Muay Thai class a few days ago but I've got a question. When I was holding the pads I could feel the guys kicks easily through the pads. They hurt a lot (I know its a contact sport) and I thought the whole point of pads is that they are supposed to take the damage? I now have huge bruises on both forearms and I'm not sure if everyone gets that from holding pads or if I was holding them wrong etc? Thanks

What pads are you using?

I hold thai pads 20+ rounds a week and I recently got bruised using some cheap Everlast MMA thai pads. Three rounds with those pads and I was bruised the next day.

 

[Grok]

The first few times I held Thai pads for the instructor I was under, my forearms were bruised up. After a few times though I was fine. Gives you appreciation for the power of those kicks doesn't it?

 

[Henry Huggins]

could be the pads but you're holding them wrong guaranteed. the guys at your gym should be correcting you when you hold and take it slower if it's your first time.

 

[Phlog]

Bruises are cool.

 

[Champions1966]

The first few times I held Thai pads for the instructor I was under, my forearms were bruised up. After a few times though I was fine. Gives you appreciation for the power of those kicks doesn't it?

Indeed! Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[Zezima]

Man up or buy your own pads with more comfort?

 

[Balkamaniac]

Not only bruises, but it's also common, resulting from holding pads, to get some inflammation in your forearms, close to your elbows. It happened to me to get kind an egg before my body got used to it -and got pretty scared at first-, but that's fine since that's how your body gets literally more tolerant to punches

 

[Araz ParazIT]

this might help a bit but just as people said before, the state of the pads and the fact that you're new to this might have something to do with it.