The best way to train boxing is to get into a boxing academy full of licensed boxing coaches and amateur and professional boxers. Then you will just have to follow the instructions of the more experienced guys and eventually adapt your routine to your needs. Now if these options are not available to you, this is what I would recommend. Essential Boxing Equipment These are absolutely the essentials that every boxer should have. Of course you can borrow it but this is coarse / unhygienic and not a bit safe as having your own. Bandages An essential tool to protect your hands. Do not go out for punching bags without protecting your hands, so you can get hurt very quickly. You should put on the bandages whenever you plan on putting on your boxing gloves. Having your own bandages is like having your own socks. It will be infested with your sweat and your unpleasant odor. You can start with a pair, but it is better to alternate between 2 or 3 pairs, depending on how much you train. Gloves Wearing the gym gloves may be a good option at first, but you'll probably fall in love with a favorite pair. And then it will be unpleasant when you want to train and someone is wearing "your" gloves. Or you arrive at the gym one day and sadly you discover that "your" gloves are torn and your wrist is bursting. In either case you will realize that it would have been better for you to have your own workout gloves because they smell better, have a newer padding, and they are always available when you need them. If you can only have one pair, have a pair of 16oz workout gloves. If you can have a second pair, have a 12oz or 14oz for when you want to work speed in the punch bag or on the ceiling-ground (for sparring, always use 16oz). Small faces, women or children (under 54 kg) can train with gloves of 14oz or smaller, otherwise it is highly recommended the standard gloves of 16oz. Mouthguard This is required if you have to practice sparring. I do not understand why there are still people out there who think they can practice sparring without using a mouth guard. Some Possible Consequences: A) You may lose a tooth because the impact falls directly on a single tooth rather than dispersing through your jaw. B) You may get hurt on your jaw (leaving your chin weak for a long time) because your jaw is loose and does not get stuck to the top of your mouth. Higher likelihood of injury to you. C) You may bite your tongue. I bit through my tongue once. Imagine how painful it is to give you a tongue piercing using your own tooth. Do not share a mouth guard. Unless the mma mouthguard is molded into your teeth, it will not give you maximum protection. In addition, people bleed on their mouth guards all the time and you may contract somebody's illness (eg. hepatitis, aids, herpes, etc.). The best mouth guards cost at least $ 30, but anything is better than nothing. |