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Breakdance equipment4 minutes

The 5 most important protectors for power move training

By Mary De LucaUpdated

In a nutshell
  • A well-padded helmet or a special headspin cap protects the head and reduces friction during vertical spins on the floor.
  • Robust wrist guards absorb the high impact loads during flares and handstand transitions and stabilize the joints.
  • Padded elbow and knee pads prevent painful bruises and abrasions during floor-level rotations like the windmill.
  • A slippery windmill vest protects the upper back and shoulders from friction heat and facilitates fluid transitions.

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If you push the limits of gravity, you need the right protection. With the proper equipment, you can practice power moves without fear, protect your joints from hard impacts, and increase your rotation speed on any surface.

Our criteria for the most important protective equipment

  • Protective effect and cushioning

    All listed protectors must be proven to protect joints from hard impact forces and sprains.

  • Freedom of movement

    The equipment must not restrict the extreme freedom of movement that is necessary for acrobatic turns.

  • Material and durability

    The materials must be extremely abrasion-resistant and must not wear out immediately upon contact with the floor.

  • Independent selection

    This selection is based on independent experience from b-boys and b-girls, without paid placements by manufacturers.

Focused training on the dance floor: only the right protective gear allows for pain-free repetitions and fluid rotations.
Focused training on the dance floor: only the right protective gear allows for pain-free repetitions and fluid rotations.

The essential protective gear for your power move training

  1. 01

    Headspin Cap

    Head area, universal fit, extremely smooth

    • Head protection
    • sliding aid
    • spins

    The Headspin Cap is essential for all vertical spins on your head. It reduces friction on the floor thanks to a special sliding surface on the top and protects your scalp from hair loss and painful pressure points.

  2. 02

    Padded knee sleeves

    Knee area, elastic fabric, low profile

    • Knee joint
    • impact protection
    • neoprene

    These protectors offer soft, yet dense padding that is perfectly tailored to the stresses of windmills and freezes. They prevent bruises on the kneecaps without blocking leg extension during power moves.

  3. 03

    Wrist support with bandage

    Forearm and wrist, adjustable velcro fastener

    • Wrist
    • joint protection
    • compression

    When catching your own body weight during flares or halos, enormous forces act on the wrists. Special protection stabilizes the joints through compression and protects against painful overexertion and sprains.

  4. 04

    Elbow pads

    Elbow joint, anatomical fit, breathable

    • Elbow
    • abrasion protection
    • cushioning

    Elbow pads protect the sensitive bone protrusion during fast floor transitions and windmills. They prevent painful direct bone contact with hard indoor or concrete floors.

  5. 05

    Windmill vest or padded shirt

    Back and shoulders, low-friction textile, tight-fitting

    • Upper body
    • Windmill protection
    • sliding fabric

    This special vest or reinforced shirt protects the upper back, shoulders, and ribs from friction burns and bruising. The smooth fabric on the shoulder blades makes it easier to spin continuously on your back.

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Why the right equipment determines your training success

Anyone who dares to attempt spectacular rotations like windmills, flares, or halos quickly realizes that their body is exposed to enormous physical forces. Without the right breakdance protective gear during training, you risk painful abrasions, bruises, or chronic joint strain. High-quality pads are not a sign of weakness, but the smart tool used by professional b-boys and b-girls to get through long sessions without injury. If you want to know whether your body already has the necessary physical foundations, the Power Moves Fitness Test will help you with an initial self-assessment.

When buying equipment, you should look for an anatomical fit and abrasion-resistant materials. Pads in breaking must withstand extreme friction on gym floors, concrete, or linoleum without slipping. If you want to specifically protect your joints and avoid strain, you will find more valuable tips in the guide on protecting joints during dance acrobatics. It is better to invest once in professional equipment than in cheap alternatives that slip during the first spin and leave you unprotected at the crucial moment.

Safety in numbers

essential protectors for safe training
5
Percent less friction with the headspin cap
50%
Joints are intensively protected
3+2

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. A headspin cap drastically reduces the frictional resistance between your head and the floor, which allows for faster spins. In addition, the integrated padding protects your scalp from friction heat and pressure marks.

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