Founder's Story

Hello!

I founded whistlekick in 2010 for a simple reason - I was tired of poor-quality sparring gear. I felt trapped in a cycle - I'd purchase new sparring gear, get excited the first few times I used it, and then disappointed when I saw the first tear.

I'd force myself to use my sparring gear for a year before buying again. I didn't want to keep throwing it away and replacing it, but I didn't know what else to do. I knew I couldn't be the only one wanting a better option...

Eventually, I couldn't take it anymore. I spent dozens of hours scouring the internet, looking for a company that was making better sparring gear. I couldn't find one.

So I started one.

Fast forward a few years and whistlekick now makes the best sparring gear available. It's taken a lot of time, money and sweat, but I'm thrilled with the product and I stand behind it, personally.

Our sparring gear boasts features beyond the usual gear out in the market. None of those annoying toe straps for our boots. Enjoy five layers of vinyl coating for all our gear. Extra-reinforced in the common tear areas so you don’t have to worry that an accidental grapple will result in the death of your equipment. Give it all you’ve got whether in practice or in competition. Break a sweat from the rigorous workout but stay cooler with strategically placed cooling ventilation slots in your gear. Super Velcro and elastic straps keep your gloves and shin guards in check so you can move effectively, while premium foam padding provides comfort and protection all throughout.

And best of all, our sparring gear are not only lightweight and comfortable but also come in different sizes and colors for a highly customized martial arts experience, allowing you to express yourself while engaging in the arts. This self-expression has led us to expand our product line to apparel to give you that daily dose of drive, determination, and discipline while being comfy and affordable, too. Try on a pair of our Cloud9 sweatpants, hooded sweatshirt, or athletic tees to show the world you’re a martial artist.

Looking back, I’m glad I stayed true to what I believe in when it comes to Martial Arts: Never settle. Never settle for being just good enough when you can be great. Never settle on knowing what you think you know. Never settle on achieving a certain level, because there’s always more to learn and do when it comes to continuously improving yourself. Never settle for complacency because there will always be room for growth.

And when it comes to your sparring gear, never settle for just what’s out there. Because you deserve so much more. You deserve, simply, the best sparring gear in the world.

Thank you for your time and I hope we can earn your business. Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have. Martial arts has always been my passion, and I hope that's evident in the quality and detail we pay to every piece of gear, every clothing item, and every customer.

Yours in the martial arts,

Jeremy Lesniak
Founder
Whistlekick, LLC