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Kickboxing is a powerful workout that you can easily do right at home.
Whether you're looking to stay fit or just get in some extra practice outside of your club, we've got you covered.
We've put together a list of 10 must-have pieces of kickboxing gear that will take your home workouts to the next level. This list includes essential training equipment, fitness tools, and a few handy accessories to round out your setup.
1. Kickboxing Gloves
Let's start with the basics: Kickboxing gloves—or boxing gloves—are absolutely essential for anyone serious about their training. Along with a punch bag, they’re probably the most important pieces of gear you’ll need for your home workouts.
Gloves protect your hands and wrists, giving you the support you need when practicing punches and other striking techniques at home.
When choosing gloves, think about how intense your training will be and the material they’re made from. High-quality options like Venum, Top Ten or Fairtex gloves are known for their durability and comfort, making them a smart investment for your home gym.
If you're just starting out and taking things slow, a budget-friendly pair of gloves will do the trick. But if you’re more advanced and train regularly, it’s worth spending a little extra on a top-notch pair, especially if you’re using them daily.
If you’re creating a kickboxing home gym with a certain theme or layout in mind, think about choosing a bag and gloves that fit your style.
2. Punching Bag
A punching bag is the cornerstone of any home kickboxing setup, like discussed above goes hand in hand with the boxing gloves.
It allows you to practice strikes, kicks, and combinations with full power.
Whether you opt for a heavy bag or a speed bag, the benefits are immense. Heavy bags, like those found in our hanging punch bags collection, are ideal for building power and endurance, while speed bags help improve timing and rhythm.
Make sure you’ve got the right setup for your punch bag. If you’re using a free-standing bag, be sure there’s plenty of space around it so you can move freely.
Note: make sure you’ve got a solid spot to hang it from, with enough room for it to swing without any issues.
3. Hand Wraps
Before you slip on your gloves, take a moment to wrap your hands properly.
Hand wraps are crucial for supporting the bones and tendons in your hands, helping to prevent injuries.
It’s tough to watch someone hit the bag without proper hand wraps—it's an injury waiting to happen! While they’re essential for sparring, they’re just as important when working on the bag.
If you’re looking for top-notch hand wraps, check out options from Fairtex or Fly Sports.
4. Agility Ladder
Let’s switch things up and add a fitness twist with an agility ladder, which is still super essential for any kickboxer. This versatile piece of equipment can elevate your training by incorporating drills beyond just kickboxing techniques.
It’s perfect for improving footwork, speed, and overall coordination—key elements in any kickboxing match. Adding agility drills to your routine can help you stay light on your feet and sharpen your reaction time.
Agility Ladder for Kickboxing Boosts
- Boost Footwork: Sharpens quick foot transitions, crucial for dodging and striking with precision.
- Enhance Coordination: Synchronises hand-eye movements, improving punch-kick combos.
- Increase Speed: Amplifies reaction time, making swift attacks second nature.
5. Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are an incredibly effective tool that often get overlooked in kickboxing training.
Great for building strength, improving flexibility, and boosting your overall performance. Plus, they’re perfect for stretching before your workouts.
Whether you’re working on upper body strength with chest punches or targeting your lower body with kick extensions, these bands offer a versatile and compact solution for your home kickboxing workouts.
6. Jump Rope
One of the simplest yet most effective tools in your kickboxing gear is a jump rope—a staple in kickboxing and boxing gyms, and something you’ve probably seen in countless movies. It’s not just a part of the culture; it’s there for a reason!
Jumping rope is fantastic for building cardiovascular endurance, improving coordination, increasing footwork speed, and burning calories.
Just a few minutes of jump rope before or after your workout can do wonders for boosting your stamina.
3 Essential Jump Rope Moves for Kickboxers:
- Basic jump: Great for warming up and getting your rhythm.
- Double unders: Increase intensity and improve timing.
- Boxer skip: Perfect for mimicking the footwork used.
7. Medicine Ball
Continuing with the fitness essentials witth the medicine ball—another great addition to your kickboxing equipment for home use.
Medicine balls are perfect for exercises involving rotational movements, which are crucial in kickboxing for generating powerful punches and kicks.
They come in different weights, so you can pick one that suits your current fitness level and increase the weight as you get stronger.
8. Kickboxing Flooring Mats
This one’s especially important if you’re training on hard floors, carpet, or slippery surfaces that can lead to instability and injuries—none of which are ideal for kickboxing.
Training on the right surface is just as crucial as the equipment you use. Kickboxing mats provide the cushioning you need to protect your joints during high-impact moves like jumping or kicking. Plus, they offer a non-slip surface, so you can train safely without worrying about slipping or getting injured.
You might also consider jigsaw-style flooring—a smart addition to your kickboxing equipment for home. This type of flooring lets you cover the exact space in your room without buying more than you need, ensuring a perfect fit. Just be sure to check the product descriptions for measurements to get it right.
9. Sparring Head Guards for Kickboxing
While training at home usually focuses on punch bag work, technique, and strength training— there might be times when you do spar. That’s when a head guard becomes essential. It’s crucial for protecting each other and ensuring safety during those occasional sparring sessions.
10. Water Bottle
Saving something not as flashy for last but still absolutely essential—staying hydrated is key during any workout, and kickboxing is no exception.
A good water bottle might seem like a small detail, but it's an important part of your home gym setup. While most of you probably have a water bottle lying around, if you don’t, we recommend choosing one that keeps your water cold for longer and is easy to sip from during short breaks.
Look for bottles with features like a flip-top lid or a straw for quick hydration.
We’ve recently added some new branded sports water bottles designed specifically for martial artists, which we’ll showcase below.
Setting Up Your Home Gym
Now that we’ve covered the essential gear, let’s talk about setting up your home gym for the best training experience.
A well-organised space can really enhance the quality of your workouts.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Dedicate a specific area: Choose a room or even just a corner of your home to use exclusively for your workouts (ensure you have enough space to move around freely).
2. Install a mirror: Adding a large mirror to your home gym is a great idea. It allows you to monitor your form and make adjustments as you train.
3. Consider wall mounts: If you have a heavy bag or speed bag, wall mounts can be a real space-saver and keep your gear secure. Just make sure they’re installed correctly to prevent any accidents.
4. Organise your gear: Keep smaller items like hand wraps, resistance bands, and jump ropes in designated bins or on shelves.
Your Kickboxing Gear Essentials
Creating the ultimate kickboxing setup at home doesn't have to be complicated. By investing in these 10 essential pieces of kickboxing equipment for home use, you'll be well on your way to achieving your fitness goals.
For all your kickboxing gear needs, visit our Kickboxing Collection at Made4Fighters.
