What You Need for Your First Boxing or Kickboxing Class: Beginner Kit
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Signed up for boxing or kickboxing and not sure what to buy? Good news: you need very little for the first class, and the rest can be bought step by step. Here is what you need right away, what is worth buying in the first month and what you will only need once you start sparring.
Essential for the first class
- Hand wraps (4.5 m). The cheapest and most important protection for your wrists and hands. Most gyms do not allow bag work without wraps. If you cannot wrap yet, quick gel wraps (inner gloves) are an option.
- Boxing gloves, 14 or 16 oz. Some gyms lend gloves for the first sessions, but your own pair is more hygienic and comfortable. See our guide “How to choose boxing gloves” for weight and material.
- Mouthguard. Needed from the first partner drill. Boil-and-bite models are fitted in five minutes.
- Training clothes and water. T-shirt, shorts, flat-soled indoor trainers (boxing shoes are not required) and a bottle.
Worth buying in the first month
- Shin guards – for kickboxing and Muay Thai, once you start kicking a partner or a shield. Choose models with instep protection.
- Skipping rope – for warm-up and conditioning, used in almost every session.
- Boxing or Thai shorts – they do not restrict movement or slip at the waist.
- Gym bag with a separate ventilated compartment for gloves.
Needed once you start sparring
- Headguard – protects eyebrows, nose and ears. A model with cheek protection is the most comfortable for beginners.
- Groin guard – mandatory in sparring for men, recommended for women.
- Chest guard – for women and children in competition.
- A second pair of 16 oz gloves if your first pair was lighter.
What it costs and where to save
A beginner kit of wraps, synthetic gloves and a mouthguard is the cheapest investment in the sport, and it protects you from the most expensive thing of all – injuries. Do not save on the mouthguard or the wraps. Start with mid-range synthetic gloves and move to leather after six months, once you know you are staying. Buy a headguard and groin guard only when your coach says it is time to spar.
What to ask your coach before buying
- Which glove weight the gym requires for sparring (usually 16 oz)?
- Does the gym train on mats or in a ring – this decides whether you need boxing shoes.
- Which shin guards suit your discipline: Muay Thai and K-1 usually need thicker guards with instep, MMA needs thinner ones.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need boxing shoes for the first class?
No. Light trainers with a flat sole are fine. Boxing shoes become useful later, when you work in the ring and want faster footwork.
What should I buy for a child?
Children need the same items in smaller sizes: 4–8 oz gloves by weight, 2.5–3 m wraps and a junior mouthguard. Choose shin guards with simple velcro closure.
Can gloves be washed?
No. Gloves are wiped with a damp cloth and air-dried. Only wraps and clothing go in the washing machine.
Find the full beginner kit at FighterShop.lt: hand wraps, boxing gloves, mouthguards, shin guards, gear for kids. Visit our store in Vilnius, Laisvės pr. 125A, or order online – delivery in 1–2 working days, free from 60 €.