The Essential Equipment For Boxing Beginners

Boxing is a relatively easy and inexpensive sport to begin. You don’t need much fancy equipment, at least when you’re just starting out. However, in order to ensure you’re protected and training at your best, there are a few pieces of basic boxing equipment you will need before becoming a regular in the ring.

Many boxing beginners may tell you that you need the latest gadgets and gizmos to take on your next opponent. Luckily for your wallet, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Boxing equipment for beginners is all about protection and conditioning. Assuming you have some boxing apparel already (regular workout shorts, t-shirts, etc.), the few things you will need to purchase shouldn’t cost more than a few quid and you’ll be ring-ready in no time.

Boxing, an exhilarating and empowering sport, offers a unique blend of physical and mental benefits, making it an excellent choice for beginners seeking to embark on a new fitness journey. 

Starting with the right boxing equipment is crucial for ensuring both safety and effectiveness in your training. Not only does boxing enhance your physical strength, but it also sharpens your mental focus and resilience, making it a holistic workout. As you gear up with the basic boxing equipment for beginners and start throwing your first punches, you'll find yourself on an exciting path to improved fitness, heightened self-esteem, and a newfound sense of empowerment.

On the cardio end of the spectrum, boxing is known to be a high calorie-burning exercise. For example, a 70-kg person who spends an hour hitting the heavy bag can burn about 422 calories. That same person can burn about 633 calories by sparring in the ring for an hour. Other elements of a boxing workout, including skipping rope and shadow boxing, raise your heart rate and can also help you burn calories quickly.

The kind of boxing equipment you’ll need depends on whether you’ll be training with or without a partner. Chances are you’ll do both if you’re hoping to compete or want a higher quality workout. 

If you’re training boxing basics with a heavy bag (no partner) you’ll need skipping rope, hand wraps, bag gloves, and a heavy bag. While training with a partner will require headgear, a mouth guard, sparring gloves, and a groin or chest protector.

Hopefully you’re thinking that doesn’t sound too complicated, however, this is really the barebones materials you’ll need. There are quite a few other options you might want to consider and of course you wouldn’t want to choose the wrong mouth guard or groin protector. To start you on your way we’ll guide you towards some of the best boxing equipment for beginners.

Boxing gloves for beginners is quite a debated subject, and there have been many resources written on the topic. To keep it brief here, there are two kinds of boxing gloves for beginners: bag gloves (or training gloves), and competition or sparring gloves.

Starting your boxing journey is exciting, and choosing the right pair of bag gloves is a key part of that adventure! 

• These gloves are designed to keep your hands safe and comfortable as you enjoy working out with a heavy bag or sparring.

While it's tempting to go for the most expensive pair, if you're just beginning, it's more important to find gloves that are both protective and practical. Think of it as a wise investment for your boxing journey, balancing safety and fun! And don't worry about spending a fortune - we've got a fantastic selection of beginner boxing gloves, all under £50, perfect for getting you started without compromising on quality or protection. Let's get ready to rumble! 

Next on the list we have hand wraps which are super important if you want to protect all of the tiny bones in your hands as well as your wrists (you do). 

When wrapped correctly, hand wraps provide protection for your knuckles as well as preventing your wrists from spraining or breaking while you throw heavy punches. They’re also great for extending the life of your boxing gloves. Wraps collect the sweat and blood that would otherwise drip into your gloves.

Hand wraps come in many sizes and styles. Longer styles allow you the option of wrapping your hands in a number of different ways, including the between the fingers method and basic method. 

1. Traditional Cloth Hand Wraps:
  - Made from cotton or a cotton-blend fabric.
  - Requires wrapping around the hands and wrists for support.
  - Available in different lengths for various hand sizes.

2. Gel Hand Wraps:
  - Incorporate gel padding for extra knuckle protection.
  - Often easier to put on, resembling fingerless gloves with a wrap-around wrist strap.
 

3. Elastic (Mexican Style) Hand Wraps:
  - Made with a blend of cotton and elastic materials.
  - More flexible and conforming to the hand compared to traditional wraps.
 

4. Inner Glove Hand Wraps:
  - A simpler alternative to traditional wraps.
  - Designed like fingerless gloves with padding.
  - Suitable for light training sessions or for those new to boxing.

5. Quick Wraps:
  - Feature a padded knuckle area with an attached wrap for the wrist.
  - Easy to put on and remove, ideal for convenience.
  - Offers moderate protection, suitable for light to moderate training.

Every kind of hand wrap brings something special to the table, so picking the right one really comes down to what works best for you. Consider what you need, how comfy you want to be, and what your boxing training looks like. If you're just starting out, we highly recommend choosing a hand wrap that's super easy to slip on and off. This way, you can ease into the world of boxing and take your time learning all the nifty hand wrapping techniques without any fuss! 

Moving swiftly onto our next piece of boxing equipment for beginners we have punch bag. A heavy bag is only required if you want to practice your boxing routine at home. If you only plan on training in the gym, there’s certainly no reason to invest in a heavy bag (well depending on the gym). However, there’s nothing quite as cathartic as throwing around a few punches when you get home...

There are many options when it comes to heavy bags, but the gist is that they weigh about 70 pounds, are filled with hard or soft fill, and are made of vinyl, leather, or canvas. They come with a mount to attach to your ceiling or a stand.

A heavier bag is always a better choice than a light one as the extra weight will keep the bag from swinging too much when you throw a powerful punch.

If you're gearing up to step into the ring, let's talk about a crucial piece of kit - the sparring headgear. Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned pro, a good headgear is an absolute must in your boxing equipment arsenal.

Remember, your headgear is going to be your best buddy in the ring, taking all those tough hits for you. So, it's super important to pick one that's built to last. While headgear is awesome at shielding you from nicks and scratches, keep in mind it's not a magical shield. Even with it on, hard punches can still rock your world, potentially leading to concussions or other head injuries. It definitely softens the blow, but it's not a free pass to ignore safety.

Other than boxing gloves, a mouth guard is probably the most essential piece of boxing equipment for beginners. When sparring a mouth guard will protect your teeth from being knocked out, as well as your lips from splitting open after a jab to the face.

While you can get a decent boil and form boxing mouth guard for about 2 quid, the Shock Doctor makes an excellent product which costs a bit more but will fit more comfortably and last longer. The V1.5 model realigns your jar following a hit to reduce damage done to your brain during impact.

Let's shine the spotlight on two other key pieces of protection for sparring: groin and chest protectors. 

These are like your trusty sidekicks in the ring, safeguarding you from those unexpected blows.

Groin protectors are a must-have, providing essential defense in a very sensitive area. They're designed to absorb impact and keep you safe and comfortable during your training and bouts. Similarly, chest protectors are vital, especially for female boxers. They cushion your chest from direct hits, ensuring that you can focus on your technique without worrying about injury.

Remember, boxing is as much about defense as it is about offense. 

By equipping yourself with reliable groin and chest protectors, you're not just protecting your body; you're also boosting your confidence as you learn and grow in this thrilling sport. 

Alright, let's talk about the cherry on top of your boxing gear sundae - the shoes! 

Now, we left this for last because, honestly, it's your call whether to snag a pair of boxing boots or not. If you're just starting out and mostly punching bags rather than dodging punches in the ring, you might not need them right away. But hey, if you want to stride into that gym looking like you mean business, a pair of sleek boxing boots could be your secret style weapon!

Here at Made4Fighters, we're big fans of boxing shoes, even for bag work. Why? Because those snazzy boots aren't just about making a fashion statement; they're like a hug for your ankles, offering support and stability when you're dancing around the bag. And let's be real, who doesn't want a little extra love for their ankles?

Now, if you're wondering who the heavyweights are in the boxing boot world, let me drop some names: Nike, Adidas, Rival, Pro-Box and Venum. These brands are like the Avengers of boxing footwear - each bringing something unique to the table.

While our boxing tips for beginner equipment could probably go on forever, there are a few other pieces of gear we would recommend. There are endless products out there to improve your boxing game from:

– skipping ropes 

– human-shaped punching bags

– Reflex Balls

– Strength training equipment: Kettlebells, dumbbells and resistance bands