Boxing is a complete-body exercise that requires commitment, skill, and the correct equipment. You don't have to spend a lot on workout kits to practice this sport. However, before becoming a regular in the ring, you will need boxing equipment to ensure practical training.
Whether a beginner or a seasoned boxer, having the right tools is essential for your workouts' safety, performance, and overall enjoyment. This article will explore the essential boxing equipment to take your training to the next level and some tips to help you get the best ones.
Boxing Gloves
Obtaining gloves that cover your whole hand should be your top priority. New boxers need to realize that different brands of boxing gloves use different materials and manufacturing processes.
Note that gloves vary significantly. For example, they protect knuckles, support the wrists, and fit the hand well. If you want to know more about suitable boxing gloves, here are the different types, weights, and essential factors to consider.
Different Types of Boxing Gloves
- Training or All-Purpose Gloves: Protective gloves with appropriate padding for punching bags and sparring.
- Sparring Gloves: Sparring gloves have additional padding for your protection and your partner's. Because of the extra padding, they can be heavier than standard boxing gloves.
- Bag Gloves: These gloves are designed for bag training. They have less cushioning on the knuckles than regular or sparring boxing gloves, allowing you to get used to the impact and feel of your punches.
Boxing Gloves Weight
- 10 to 14 oz: It’s best to choose these gloves if you do a lot of heavy bag and pad work. You can keep your hands safe when wearing lighter gloves as you concentrate on landing fast and pinpoint blows.
- 16 to 18 oz: Invest in a heavier glove if you intend to spar. Due to the increased padding, your glove will be able to absorb more force, reducing the impact on your partner and yourself.
Things to Consider When Choosing Boxing Gloves
Closure
There are three different types of closure straps available to ensure proper fitting of the boxing gloves:
- Single: This is ideal for fighters who want gloves with an easy on-and-off feature.
- Dual: This provides a secure and supportive fit.
- Lace-up: This allows for a personalized fit, though you will need a partner to assist you in putting them on.
Wrist Support
To avoid injuries, proper wrist support is essential. Boxing gloves with a distinctive splinted design are ideal. This feature ensures your wrists remain aligned with each strike.
Hand Wraps
Properly wrapped hands protect not just your knuckles but also your wrists from overuse injuries sustained when punching hard. They also help your boxing gloves last longer.
Different Types of Hand Wraps
There’s a wide variety of sizes and designs of hand wraps available.
- Traditional Cloth Hand Wraps: These hand wraps are reusable, inexpensive, simple to wrap, and come with standard dimensions.
- Elastic or Mexican Style: These gloves can stretch to fit your hand perfectly, making them comfortable and breathable. Not all boxing gloves can fit beneath these because they are thicker than standard hand wraps.
- Gel Hand Wraps: You can add gel padding for extra knuckle protection. It’s easier to wear since it resembles fingerless gloves with a wrap-around wrist strap.
- Inner Glove Hand Wraps: The inner glove is the more straightforward alternative to the traditional cloth hand wrap. It has fingerless gloves with a padding design and is ideal for light training sessions or beginners in boxing.
- Quick Wraps: Occasionally referred to as “fast wraps,” these are recent circuit additions. Instead of wrapping your hands, you can slip these on like a glove.
Ideal Hand Wrap Sizes
The key to a comfortable and protected boxing session is using hand wraps of the correct size. Choosing a size that snugly fits your hands without squeezing them is crucial, especially for those beginners in this sport.
- 108 inches (2.74 meters): Suits children or boxers with small hands
- 120 inches (3.05 meters): Fits small to medium-sized hands
- 170 inches (4.32 meters): Medium-sized hands
- 180 inches (4.57 meters): Common size for adults
- 200 inches (5.08 meters): Boxers with larger hands and wear extra layers of wrap
Boxing Shoes
You must wear the correct boxing sneakers to perform best in the ring. Properly fitting boxing shoes should be snug for support without being so tight that they rub or hurt. When trying on boxing shoes, wearing socks and moving around as if you’re in the ring is essential.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Boxing Shoes
Here are the things you should consider when selecting the right boxing shoes for your workout:
- Grip: Boxing shoes should have a good grip to keep your footing in the ring and be flexible enough to let you turn and move about quickly.
- Mid-tops: While mid-tops allow for greater freedom of movement, they lack support, particularly at the ankle.
- High-tops: Compared to mid-tops, high-tops provide additional arch support and protection, particularly at the ankle, but are less flexible.
- Sole: Conversely, a thinner sole gives you greater flexibility and a better feel for your foot's natural movement, while a thicker sole increases durability.
Groin and Chest Protectors
Wearing a groin protector is vital because it protects a particularly vulnerable area. This equipment absorbs impact and keeps you safe and comfortable during training and fights. Similarly, boxers, particularly women, must wear chest protection. Because it absorbs direct blows, boxers can concentrate on their technique without fear of harming their chests.
Also, remember that defense is just as important as offense in boxing. Donning dependable groin and chest guards can safeguard your body and help you gain self-assurance as you progress in this exciting sport.
Headgear
Whatever your level of experience in boxing, quality headgear is a necessary piece of gear before entering the ring. Remember that your helmet protects you from the hard blows you will surely take during the fight.
Consequently, choose one that is sturdy and long-lasting. You should also note that headgear protects you from bruises and scratches.
In addition, this equipment won't protect you from concussions and other head injuries, but it will lessen the impact of solid punches. Headgear comes in different levels of protection, from minimal coverage to gear that covers everything except your eyes.
Mouth Guard
If a punch were to break a tooth or two loose, a mouthguard would prevent you from accidentally swallowing the fragments. Before wearing one, soften it by boiling it in water, then shape it to fit your teeth by biting it. A few dentists also offer individualized mouthguard services tailored to your specific mouth shape.
Punch Bag or Heavy Bag
A heavy bag is necessary to train for boxing at home. You shouldn't bother with a heavy bag if your exclusive training venue is a gym. However, this may vary from one gym to another. But nothing beats getting home and letting off steam with a few punches.
A heavy bag can weigh up to 70 pounds, be packed with hard or soft fill, and be crafted from vinyl, leather, or canvas. However, many possibilities exist, such as a ceiling or tabletop mount in the punch bag for a more accessible arrangement. If you want to practice throwing forceful punches without the bag swinging too much, a heavier bag is the way to go.
Punching Bag Options
- Free-Standing Bag: It’s usually less expensive and easier to transport than a hanging bag. On the other hand, it only lasts briefly and offers a different dynamic exercise than a hanging bag.
- Hanging Bag: It’s superb for training and perfect for footwork. But once you set up this bag, it could be more portable and take up more room.
- Cobra or Reflex Bag: Perfect for boxers honing their timing and accuracy. The Cobra bag is an excellent choice for fighters who want to improve their reflexes because of its compact design and easy assembly.
- Double-End Bag: Regularity and rhythm are essential to successful double-end bag training. Your reflexes will be honed as you learn to start assaults, maneuver defensively, and link combos with the rebounding ball.
- Heavy Bag: Training with a heavy bag can be an excellent choice to get better at boxing. This bag is a typical staple of boxers' solitary training regimens, and for a good reason: they build strength and power in the arms and shoulders.
Additional Boxing Equipment for Your Workouts
You may take your boxing training to the next level with the help of a few more necessities in addition to the basics listed above.
Skipping Rope
Jumping or skipping rope is a classic boxing practice that helps improve footwork, agility, and heart health. You can use this equipment to warm up before a workout effectively and add it to your practice to make it more intense. Skip ropes made of solid materials that can be adjusted to your height will last a long time.
Reflex Balls
Boxers use boxing reflex balls to enhance their timing, accuracy, reflex speed, and hand-eye coordination. The boxer's head is secured to the reflex ball, a softball attached to a harness using a cord. The goal of boxing reflex balls is to keep the ball moving with a series of gentle blows.
Strength Training Equipment
While boxing primarily relies on skill, technique, and conditioning, strength training equipment complements these aspects. Strength training exercises can improve your strength, speed, and general athleticism.
Strength training equipment also helps improve muscular endurance. This allows you to sustain high-intensity efforts throughout a fight without fatiguing as quickly. Here are the pieces of equipment you can use for your strength training:
- Dumbbells: Dumbbells are versatile tools. They can enhance a boxer’s workout by strengthening specific muscle groups, such as the shoulders, arms, and core.
- Kettlebells: This equipment can help you improve overall strength and power. It can also enhance coordination and explosiveness.
- Resistance Bands: You can use resistance bands to work out the muscles needed for punching, such as the shoulders, arms, and core, while improving flexibility and mobility.
Tips When Buying Boxing Equipment
Ensure you have the highest quality gear possible while searching for boxing equipment. Avoid throwing away your hard-earned cash on a product that won't last more than a few uses. However, how does one go about locating high-quality boxing gear?
Set a Budget
Create a spending plan before you do anything else. Before shopping, ensure you have a reasonable budget and stay manageable. You may acquire high-quality gloves and a mouthguard for less than fifty dollars.
Also, consider a few factors while making a budget for your boxing gear, such as:
- Frequency of use
- Cost replacement
- Skill level
If you're starting, you might not need to shell out as much money for high-end gear compared to professional boxers. Boxing equipment comes in a wide variety of styles. Consequently, prioritize your training by determining which elements are crucial.
Consider Equipment Quality
Identifying the necessary tools is the next stage. Beginners should bring a mouthguard, hand wraps, and gloves. A wide variety of boxing gear is available for your selection. Considering each item's quality while purchasing training equipment would be best.
Here are a few things to keep an eye out for:
- Material: Typically, materials such as canvas or leather will be used to make goods of higher quality. These materials are sturdy and long-lasting, so they won't wear out after a while.
- Stitching: This factor applies well to boxing gloves and shoes. Ensuring proper stitching prevents ripping over time by eliminating weak spots and loose threads.
- Design Equipment: Items of higher quality typically include elements that enhance their durability, such as additional cushioning in strategic locations or reinforced seams.
Consult Your Coach
Deciding what gear to purchase when just beginning in boxing might be challenging. You can get excellent guidance on what works for you from a good coach if you're fortunate enough to have one. Before seeking advice and recommendations about purchasing boxing gear, consider the following:
- Training duration
- Ideal size, especially for boxing gloves, hand wraps, and shoes
- Equipment type and quality
Research Online
The next step is to gather important information about boxing gear. Learn about the available brands and types of equipment. Familiarize yourself with the various options, and then you can start narrowing down your choices.
Before you make a purchase, consider reviewing the store's return policy. This is important in case the product arrives with damaged packaging or has issues, as you should be able to return it and get a refund.
Read Reviews and Testimonies
Checking reviews is a smart way to ensure you get value for your money. Reviews provide an unbiased evaluation of a service or product. This is important in boxing gear because personal preferences vary. What works well for one person might be better for someone else.
Reviews can also assist when comparing prices. While a product may seem like a great deal at first, checking reviews might reveal a better option elsewhere.
Test the Equipment
The final step is to buy and use your new boxing gear. If you're serious about boxing, ensure you have the right equipment. This includes locating a good pair of gloves and a helmet to keep you safe.
Finding the correct gear might take some trial and error, but it's worth the investment to show up to matches well-prepared and safe. Test your gear in action to see if it fits right. Consider getting new ones if your shoes are too tight, gloves too loose, or headgear too hot.
Gear Up with the Best Boxing Equipment
Proper boxing equipment is important for maximizing performance, minimizing injuries, and enjoying training sessions. Each piece of equipment, from gloves and hand wraps to heavy bags and mouthguards, plays a vital role in your development as a boxer.
Gear up and invest in high-quality boxing gloves as you start your training. Remember, you can reach your full potential in the ring with the best gear.