What Equipment Do You Need for Boxing?
The sign of a good boxer is one who is equipped with the right boxing gear that will help them be at their physical best and allow them to achieve greatness and success in the ring.
The essential boxing equipment every boxer needs includes:
Boxing Gloves
No boxer is complete without a pair of boxing gloves. Finding the right pair of boxing gloves for you can be a daunting prospect due to the different types, brands, and sizes available. Selecting the right size (considering your weight, height, and the circumference of your dominant hand) will make choosing the perfect pair of boxing gloves much easier. All sizes are measured in ounces (oz), which is determined by the amount of padding in the glove. Most beginners start with larger gloves for more protection and then size down as they become more confident and skilled. Boxing gloves should fit snugly with your fingers just touching the top of the gloves. You should be able to easily make a fist without it being uncomfortable. The different types of boxing gloves include:- Training gloves (all-purpose gloves): gloves that provide enough protection (padding) for both sparring and heavy bag work.
- Bag gloves: specifically designed for bag work. They have less padding in the knuckle area than regular boxing or sparring gloves, so you can get used to the impact and feel of your punches.
- Sparring gloves: gloves that have extra padding to protect you and your training partner. They may be slightly heavier than regular boxing gloves due to their extra padding.
Boxing Shoes
Wearing the right boxing shoes is crucial for your performance in the ring. Boxing shoes should fit tightly and snugly to provide support, but should not cause discomfort or blisters. Always wear socks and move around as if you were in the ring when trying on a pair of boxing shoes. Things to consider when selecting boxing shoes:- Grip: Boxing shoes should have enough grip so you don’t slip or slide in the ring; however, they should also be flexible enough to allow you to pivot and move freely.
- Sole: A thicker sole is more durable, but a thinner sole allows you to be more flexible and feel every foot movement.
- Mid-tops: Mid-tops offer more flexibility but provide less support, especially around the ankle.
- High-tops: High-tops support the foot more, especially around the ankle, but lack the flexibility that mid-tops have.
Hand Wraps
It is important to wear hand wraps under your boxing gloves as they offer additional support and protect the tiny bones in your hands that can easily break from the impact of a punch. They also absorb sweat, preventing the buildup of bacteria and odor in your boxing gloves. Some of the different types of hand wraps available include:- Tape and gauze: the lightest and most comfortable option that offers plenty of protection. They are available in a variety of different sizes but cannot be reused.
- Traditional hand wrap: affordable, easy to wrap, and can be reused. They come in set sizes.
- Elastic “Mexican” style: stretchy, so they easily conform to the shape of your hand and are a perfect fit, making them comfortable and breathable. They are thicker than most hand wraps and may not fit under all boxing gloves.
Headgear
Headgear protects your head from injuries such as cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Well-padded headgear will reduce some of the impact from a punch but will not completely protect against a concussion. Headgear ranges from minimal protection to headgear that covers everything except the eyes.Mouthguard
Mouthguards protect your teeth and prevent you from swallowing any teeth that might come loose from a punch. Boil in water so they become flexible and then bite down until it molds to your teeth. Some dentists make custom mouthguards that fit perfectly to the shape of your mouth.Heavy Bag
A heavy bag is ideal for beginners or more experienced boxers who want to practice and train daily. Heavy bags come in durable vinyl, leather, or canvas material and are filled with sand, hard or soft earth (soft earth has an additional foam layer). Heavy bags are available as hanging bags and as freestanding bags:- Hanging bag: ideal for footwork and generally better for training. Favored by more experienced boxers. However, they take up more space and cannot be easily moved once set up.
- Freestanding bag: easy to move and generally cheaper than a hanging bag. However, it does not provide dynamic training as a hanging bag does and may be less durable.