Are you a beginner looking to grab your first pieces of equipment for boxing?
In this blog post, I explain what essential gear you need for boxing so you can start training like a champion ASAP.
The best boxing equipment for beginners doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. So I've also provided affordable options depending on your needs.
I then go into some optional extras that you may want to consider if you want to take the sweet science more seriously.
Let's begin!
The products linked are my personal recommendations.
Boxing requires essential gear, and the most important is the protective gear to keep you safe.
There are specific reasons why these pieces of equipment are essential.
For example, boxing gloves…
In the sport of boxing, gloves are the most recognizable equipment.
New boxers need gloves with plentiful padding and wrist protection for practice and sparring.
Boxing gloves shield your hands from potential injuries when you're throwing punches.
I recommend starting with grabbing some 16oz gloves for this reason.
16oz boxing gloves are the standard for heavy bag work and sparring.
They're light enough to throw effective punches but have enough cushion not to hurt your opponent and to protect your wrist.
They may feel a little heavy initially, but you'll quickly get used to the weight.
While you can look to get specific "sparring" and "heavy bag" gloves, it's not necessary at this stage.
You'll be able to use your 16oz gloves for both activities.
Hand wraps protect your knuckles, wrists, and hands from potential injury.
It keeps your wrists tight and your knuckles protected from the shock impact of punching.
While hand wraps are necessary, they still won't protect you from bad form. So, it's essential to focus on perfecting your technique.
Quick wraps come in a “glove” shape, so you can easily slide your hands in and wrap your wrists for instant protection.
Each pair of quick wraps includes a hook and loop closure system. Like Mexican-style wraps, it consists of a wrap for your wrist and thumbs.
Each quick wrap includes gel padding on the top part of your hand for protection for your knuckles.
The pro to quick wraps is that they’re incredibly easy to put on and take off, unlike traditional wraps, which take extra minutes to wrap fully.
Mexican-style hand wraps are the standard hand wraps that most boxers use before sparring or training.
They are 100% cotton and include a soft, stretchable fabric.
They are typically about 180” in length, equating to about ~4.5m, providing you with many wraps to protect your wrists and knuckles.
Like quick wraps, each Mexican-style hand wrap has a hook and loop closure system.
It also has a thumb loop at one end for added security when wrapping your hands. This feature helps prevent the wrap from loosening while training or sparring.
Traditional Mexican-style hand wraps are easy to clean. Like regular clothes, you can chuck them in the wash and put them in the dryer.
If you want to skip the “quick wraps” and go straight for the proper boxing way, I’d recommend grabbing the Mexican-style hand wraps from the get-go.
It is a good strategy to have both hand wraps depending on the time you have to train.
Headgear is crucial for all boxers, from beginners to professionals.
It provides vital protection for the head, guarding it against punches and lowering the chance of head injuries.
Headgear, equipped with foam padding, lessens the impact of punches.
This significantly reduces the possibility of concussions and other severe head injuries.
There are three main categories of headgear, beginning with…
Open-face headgear is a fantastic choice for beginners as it offers visibility and comfort while you get the hang of your punches.
It provides ample protection without hindering your vision, allowing you to see incoming punches clearly.
The open-face design also keeps you cool and comfortable during intensive training sessions.
This headgear won't compromise your mobility or distract you with discomfort.
As you get better at boxing, you'll learn to appreciate the lack of obstruction when wearing headgear.
This is unlike the other two headgears, which - depending on the side - can compromise a bit of your vision.
Headgear with cheek guards has additional protection on the cheeks to absorb more impact.
It’s slightly more secure and safe than open-face headgear and doesn’t limit your vision as much as Headgear with a Nose Bar.
It’s the perfect middle ground for those who want protection but aren’t ready to go open-faced yet.
Headgear with a nose bar keeps you extra safe due to the added protection across your face.
Fighters wanting more safety should choose this headgear.
It covers your nose with a solid steel bar that provides a robust defense against injuries.
This headgear might be slightly heavier because of the additional steel bar, but you'll have comfort knowing your face is protected even in the toughest boxing bouts.
And the most significant downside would be that it disrupts your field of vision for uppercuts. Stay vigilant! More experienced fighters will use this to their advantage!
A mouthguard is a critical piece of boxing gear that often goes underappreciated.
It's not just about protecting your teeth; a well-fitted mouthguard can help prevent injuries to your jaw, neck, and brain.
This is because it prevents potential dental and orofacial (fancy word for your "face" and "mouth" region) injuries.
A mouthguard absorbs and redistributes the force of the impact, reducing the risk of injury.
I suggest grabbing a custom mouthguard from the get-go. Here's why…
Investing in a custom mouthguard is one of the best decisions I've ever made as an amateur boxer.
Generic mouthguards don't fit your teeth perfectly. This can cause your mouthguard to pop out when you get hit or even when you're just breathing heavily.
So, the beauty of a custom mouthguard lies in its perfect fit.
It won't slip out in the middle of your spars, which is absolutely crucial.
A loose mouthguard can be a distraction and even pose a choking hazard. In boxing, those split seconds can make all the difference.
Having a comfortable, secure mouthguard allows you to breathe, which you will quickly find out is hard to do when you're first starting.
While custom mouthguards are generally more expensive, it's worth it for your safety and comfort when in the ring.
I got my custom mouthguard from a local dentist who also sold sports mouthguards.
I suggest you look for “sports mouthguards” in your local area. From my research, it looks like Mouthpiece guy seems like a reputable source.
While custom mouthguards offer an excellent fit tailored to your unique mouth shape, they can be part of the more expensive equipment.
This brings us to a more affordable alternative: generic mouthguards.
Most brands of generic mouthguards provide enough protection for beginners.
The big difference comes down to the fit.
They might not hug your teeth like a custom mouthguard, but they're a great starting point.
You pop them in hot water to soften, then bite down to shape them to your teeth — voila, you've got a mouthguard!
If you're new and want to save money, a good generic mouthguard can be part of your protective gear.
Remember to consider the importance of a solid groin protector.
It's the knight's shield in your boxing armor, defending your most vulnerable areas from potential low blows.
Beginners often need to remember this equipment, but trust me; it can be a lifesaver!
A good groin guard fits tight with a Velcro or laced strap. It stays put and is easy to adjust during boxing.
You don't want any direct contact down there, trust me. I'm telling you from experience.
Plus, it's slim enough to fit comfortably under your boxing shorts, so it doesn't hinder your movement.
Slipping into a pair of high-quality boxing shoes can make a difference in the ring.
They give you much-needed agility and balance while you bob and weave around your opponent.
Boxing shoes are designed to support your ankles, offer excellent grip, and provide a lightweight feel. They allow you to use your footwork to your advantage effortlessly.
You should also feel a difference when you're shadowboxing or throwing power punches at your focus mitts.
The proper boxing shoes help you balance your footing, pivot precisely, and gracefully dodge those fast-approaching jabs.
If you've ever watched any pro boxers training, you've likely seen them doing the jump rope at some point.
The reason is that skipping is the perfect workout for a boxer. It works on your shoulder endurance and trains you to stay on the balls of your feet - which is vital for boxing footwork.
I've tried tons of skipping ropes, and I've found the rope that has the best value for money has been the Buddy Lee Skipping Rope.
The Buddy Lee skipping rope is slightly more expensive than your generic skipping rope but will last you much longer.
Buddy Lee Skipping Ropes are known for their superior quality and durability.
The Rope Master has an incredibly lightweight design with long handles for complete control.
It's designed with a patented swivel bearing system, allowing ultra-fast rotations.
The smooth rotational motion makes your skipping routine more efficient and prevents the rope from tangling or curling up.
Despite the higher price tag, it's a worthy long-term investment for those dedicated to improving their footwork and cardiovascular stamina.
A generic skipping rope will suffice for those who are just starting and are hesitant to splurge on a jump rope.
These ropes might not have the swivel system like the Buddy Lee, but they still get the job done.
Most are adjustable in length to customize it to your height.
The critical point to remember is that the rope should be durable and have an appropriate weight.
If the rope is too light, it won't provide enough resistance or feedback. In this case, the rope will be more for speed.
If the rope is too heavy, it may prematurely slow you down and fatigue your arms. In this case, the rope would be more for shoulder strength.
The perfect middle ground is a rope thicker than a speed rope but thinner than a weighted rope.
Whatever you choose, the important thing is not to underestimate the value of incorporating skipping into your training.
Practice it daily, and you'll see a marked improvement in your agility and footwork.
If you're not tracking, you're slacking
— Brandon Carter
Incorporating technology into your training routine can enhance progress by offering valuable data and feedback. That's where a fitness tracker comes in.
A fitness tracker records your activity and helps you track your training progress.
They can measure your heart rate, calories burned, steps taken, and some even track your sleep patterns.
This data can provide insight into your performance and endurance levels, enabling you to monitor your improvement over time and adjust your training as needed.
Fitness trackers come in various styles and prices, with various features tailored to different fitness needs.
Some popular brands include Fitbit, Garmin, and Apple Watch.
While a fitness tracker is not necessary from day one, it can become a valuable tool as you become more serious about your training.
From research and anecdotal evidence, Garmin's are the most accurate when it comes to tracking data.
Its features will improve your training and help you get the most from every punch.
With a Garmin, you can track your heart rate, steps, calories, and sleep.
It'll help you understand how your body performs during training and recovery.
Plus, it has a built-in GPS to map out your running routes for cardio sessions vital for boxing stamina.
Tracking your progress is beyond the scope of this article, but once you can start collecting data, you can begin to make effective changes to your training regime.
Have you ever been to a commercial gym and wanted to exercise by hitting the heavy bag, so you used the boxing gloves available to the public?
And you quickly found out - the gloves put on were nasty. Not only are these gloves not maintained, but they are shared by everyone in the gym.
So, the first step is to grab your equipment (which you should have done by now at this point).
The second step is to ensure that you maintain your equipment so they don't end up smelling terrible, like the gym gloves you put on.
The best way to maintain your equipment is by grabbing disinfectant spray for your equipment and glove deodorizers to keep your boxing gloves fresh.
Disinfectant sprays help protect you from unwanted germs lingering on your gloves, headgear, and hand wraps.
Look for sprays with an antimicrobial formula that can kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including staph, E. coli, etc.
Remember, a healthy boxer is a successful boxer.
With a trusty disinfectant spray always at your side, you can focus on your boxing skills while keeping your equipment sparkling clean and germ-free!
Glove deodorizers are necessary for keeping your gear fresh and ready for the next workout.
They are the secret weapon in any boxer's arsenal, and as a beginner, you'll be thankful for their existence.
These handy tools work by absorbing the sweat and odor from your gloves, leaving them smelling fresh and clean.
They come in various scents, from zesty citrus to soothing lavender.
After each session, you only need to pop them in your gloves and let them do their magic.
Ensure to air out your gloves first! Moisture is what accumulates germs, so pop them in after you've dried out your gloves.
They're also incredibly durable, lasting for months or even years. They'll keep your gloves lasting a long time!
Here's some boxing equipment beginners might need to learn. They're not typical, but I've found them very useful.
The Evnik is an intriguing piece of equipment designed to provide instant feedback on your punching form and to help you train kinetic energy production.
It does this by having one weighted side (where you hold the grip), with the other side being light and wriggly.
You can first get feedback by placing the Evnik in a dolphin grip.
If you punch with proper torque and rotation, the Evnik will "slap" against your arm — which is the feedback you get knowing that you have the proper technique in your punch.
The second way is holding the Evnik with the light side facing outwards.
You want to train your punches by throwing straights and hooks, but more like a swordsman.
You should feel the kinetic energy of the Evnik sway back and forth, which helps with building power and speed.
The Evnik uses acceleration and inertia to help your punching power get better.
It's designed to mimic the movement of a punch, which is perfect for beginners looking to increase their punching performance.
While it may look like a strange tool, you'll soon appreciate how much it can enhance your boxing experience.
A boxing wrap roller, although optional, is a handy tool for beginners who hate rolling up their hand wraps.
The wrap roller quickly rolls up your hand wraps, making a tiring task easy after a workout.
You can roll your wraps back up in seconds using the boxing wrap roller.
While it saves you literal minutes — which doesn't sound like a lot, imagine doing this every single day.
If you're anything like me and don't have time to waste, then a Boxing Wrap Roller will be your best friend.
No more wasting time fumbling around with unruly hand wraps – you've got it under control with a wrap roller.
They are compact, portable, and require no batteries or electricity, making them an easy addition to your home gym kit.
It's the small, thoughtful tools like this that make training a breeze.
To start as a beginner boxer, you only need boxing gloves, hand wraps, headgear, and a mouthguard.
That's it.
Everything else is optional accessories that improve your training or help with added protection.
A beginner boxer should train for 1 - 3 hours at least five times a week.
Training consistently for eight months before the first fight allows for proper preparation and a higher chance of a successful debut.
Remember, patience and dedication are key in the boxing journey.
Yes, you can teach yourself boxing at home, but it has downsides.
Firstly, it will drastically reduce the rate at which you learn boxing because you won't have that instant feedback loop from your boxing coach, which is critical for correcting mistakes quickly.
So, while it is possible, it's recommended that you join a gym with a coach who has your best interests in mind.
To start boxing, you need four essential pieces of equipment. That's it.
While many products are on the market, what matters most at the end of the day is your skills as a boxer.
The faster you dive headfirst into learning the fundamentals of boxing, the quicker you will grow and learn to appreciate the sweet science.
Your beginner boxing equipment plays a vital role in your safety and performance.
Sparring is a controlled way to practice your boxing skills.
So, with the right tools and guidance, you'll quickly be on your way to becoming a boxing champion.
Let's get you geared up and ready to rumble!
I'm an Amateur Boxer who fell in love with the sweet science after it had saved me from rock bottom. Elite Striking Gear is my attempt to document my Boxing journey by providing helpful boxing guides to excel your skills and expose the "secrets" you would only learn by attending various gyms.
