LA VIDA LUCHA / BLOG
What to Wear to Boxing Training: A Beginner's Kit List
By Liam ·
You've decided to walk into a boxing gym. Good. The next question nearly everyone asks is: what do I actually wear? The honest answer is simpler than you'd think. You don't need to look the part on day one. You need to be able to move, sweat and listen. Here's a straightforward kit list to get you started.
The basics: clothes you can move in
A T-shirt or vest. Anything you're comfortable sweating in. Boxing training is mostly skipping, footwork, pad work, bag work and conditioning, so you'll want something that doesn't restrict your shoulders. Avoid anything with zips, buttons or hard prints that could scratch a partner.
Shorts or joggers. Shorts give your legs the most freedom for footwork and skipping. Joggers are fine too, especially on colder nights in a British gym. Just make sure they stay put when you move. If you're tugging at your waistband between rounds, they're the wrong pair.
A hoodie for warming up. Most gyms aren't heated like a spa. A hoodie keeps you warm at the start and is useful on the way home. Plenty of boxers train the first few rounds in one to get the sweat going.
Layers over looks. Layers you can take off are more useful than one "perfect" outfit.
Footwear
Flat trainers with decent grip. Boxing is done on the balls of your feet, with lots of pivoting. Thick, cushioned running shoes can feel clumsy and some roll on the ankle. A flat, light trainer is a good start.
Boxing boots can wait. Plenty of people buy them once they know they're sticking with it. Ask your coach before spending.
Some clubs have their own rules about footwear on the ring canvas, so check on your first visit.
What to bring in your bag
- Hand wraps. These go on under your gloves and help support your hands and wrists. Many coaches will expect you to have your own. If you don't know how to put them on yet, ask. Someone at the gym will show you.
- Gloves. Some clubs have spare gloves for beginners, so ask before buying. When you do buy, ask your coach what weight suits you.
- A water bottle. You'll need it.
- A towel.
- A skipping rope if you have one. Many gyms have them, but having your own means no waiting.
- A gumshield for later. You won't need one for your first sessions of pads and bags, but you will before any sparring. Your coach will tell you when.
What to leave at home
- Jewellery. Rings, chains and earrings get in the way and can cause injuries. Take them off before you start.
- Strong deodorant or aftershave. Your training partners will thank you.
- The ego. Not clothing, but worth leaving in the car. Nobody expects a beginner to be good. They expect you to turn up and try.
Do I need "boxing" clothes?
No. Some of the best people in any gym train in old, faded kit they've worn for years. What matters is that it's comfortable, practical and clean.
That said, there's a reason boxing has its own style. Gym culture, the hoodie on the walk in, the shorts, the wraps hanging out of the bag: it's part of the life. That's where La Vida Lucha comes from. Our founder Liam started boxing in Tenerife, came home and joined Bury ABC, and built the brand around the feeling of being in the gym. You can read the full story here.
Quick checklist
Before your first session, tick these off:
- T-shirt or vest you can sweat in
- Shorts or joggers that stay up
- Hoodie or a warm layer
- Flat trainers with grip
- Hand wraps (or ask the gym)
- Water and a towel
- Jewellery off
That's it. Turn up a few minutes early, introduce yourself to the coach, and tell them it's your first time. They've seen hundreds of first sessions.
Kit built for the fight life
Our first collection is landing next year: hoodies, tees and the Corner Fleece Shorts, made for the gym and everything around it. We're not selling yet, but you can take a look at what's coming.
If you want to be first in, join the Corner. Sign up and you'll get 15% off when the kit lands.
La Vida Lucha. The Fight Life.