Just as the title says, do you use head gear when you train?
Recently i've been seeing all the articles on brain health of MMA fighters. About how it's very bad for our brains, about people being punch drunk, not remembering things, just the overall damage that we are doing to our brains. That has really got me thinking about my training style.
At my gym, we DO NOT use head gear, never have. (We use shin pads when going 100% kickboxing or MMA sparring, plus amateur MMA in AL you have to use shin pads) I would like to change that. Who all here uses head gear while training? Who doesn't? Lemme hear you guy's opinions on it
We don't. Some of the newer guys do but i never have. I don't mind being hit 
Headgear doesn't really stop your brain from bouncing around in your skull. 
only for grappling
I don't think headgear does much for brain injury. As noted, the brain bounces around just as much. Headgear is more for soft tissue damage--broken noses, split eyebrows, etc.
That said, as a hobbyist, I would wear headgear "just because" and would never spar more than once a week, just doing bag work, pad work, and drills the rest of the time. And going 100% is totally unnecessary IMO.
Not often as I should. Its good at preventing cuts
I think you should rewrite the title as "Are you a fucking pussy when you train"?
We do, gym rule requires it. As stated above, we do it to help prevent cuts from head buts etc, not because it protects the brain (because it probably does not)
For my first ever seshing I dead but then I tried it without and I was like 'no big deal' so now I never do but I always use shin pads and a mouthguard
Session*
only when sparring
No, for the reasons stated above. Also I feel it gives me a false sense of security and limits vision, both of which contribute to me being hit more and incurring even more brain damage.
Which I can't have.
I'm an idiot already...
MTH - I don't think headgear does much for brain injury. As noted, the brain bounces around just as much. Headgear is more for soft tissue damage--broken noses, split eyebrows, etc.Lots of truth in this.
That said, as a hobbyist, I would wear headgear "just because" and would never spar more than once a week, just doing bag work, pad work, and drills the rest of the time. And going 100% is totally unnecessary IMO.
British101 - For my first ever seshing I dead but then I tried it without and I was like 'no big deal' so now I never do but I always use shin pads and a mouthguardProps to you for coming back at dying in your last session.
News guys always come in with them but take them off soon after.
Always when I spar. While it certainly doesn't give 100% protection against CTE/ some over zealous training partners, it's mandatory at the new club I'm at.
I've been to a number where it's optional, and where it's sometimes frowned upon. I see it the same way as keeping my guard up: 2 is better than 1, 1 is better than none.
I do usually. Stops cuts. Stops my nose from getting pushed in. But It blocks my vision enough that I take extra shots. Usually big lead hooks. I do have a particularly obtrusive set of headgear however. I would suggest open face style.
I don't like it. I've never gotten cut with boxing style headgear, but between making my head larger (slipping is harder for someone like me whos not cery good at it) and blocking my vision I get hit in the head noticeably more often with it on, and fuck that.
As a hobbyist who doesn't spar 100% ever, I care a lot more about my long-term brain health than cuts (I've got a number of scars around my eyes and I've had t nose broken, though, and I only boxed for a year and a half before switching to grappling full-time).
I fucking hate it. Just makes me feel claustrophobic