Boxing Gear
A List
This is the stuff you gotta have. You'll look at the loaded catalogs and see all kinds of other things, but this is all you really need to develop some basic skills over a six-month period. In fact, you shouldn't have to worry about anything on the B List until your initial training (which could very well last six months) is finished.
You're not going to spar with anyone until you've mastered your basic skills and can comfortably last three or four active three-minute rounds on the heavy bag. That's the right way to do it. That's the safe and sane way to develop as a boxer. Period.
Assuming you already know what T-shirts, shorts and athletic socks are, we'll start with the footwear.
Athletic Footwear: Sneakers that fit well are fine for now. Don't bother with actual boxing shoes. If you're training in a gym you may need to avoid dark soles that could mark up the floor. High tops are nice because of the extra support.
Wraps: Before you put on gloves you must wrap your hands for support and protection with long strips of cloth called wraps. Get the kind that have Velcro ties since they're the most convenient to use. I like the Mexican-style wraps because they're longer and provide better protection. $6.
Bag Gloves: Bag gloves are different from sparring or competition gloves. Bag gloves have just enough padding to protect a boxer's hands as he whales on the heavy bag. Training or sparring gloves are more carefully designed to protect the hands and offset the force of a blow from a sparring partner.
Bag gloves come in various
weights, styles and degrees of
quality and convenience.
For my
training, I purchased a quality pair
of 12-ounce leather gloves with a
wide Velcro strap closure for easy
on and off.
These are about the
best money can buy, and
depending on your size, cost $50
or $60 in 1998 dollars.
The
cheapest pair costs half as much, but heck, for $25 more
you can get professional durability, design and safety.
They're your hands, it's your choice. Like a good pair of
shoes, make sure they fit and stay secure on your paws.
Heavy Bag: You're gonna need something to punch.
Heavy bags come in a variety of styles, but your basic
bag is about 14 inches in diameter, 42 inches high and
weighs 70 pounds. I got a canvas bag with a so called
regular or hard fill versus a soft fill.
The soft fill simply has a thicker foam liner. Mine came with hanging chains, hooks and a swivel so it could be hung from a beam (or as in my case from a rope slung over the roof and tied off to a tree in my backyard - whatever works!). I spent about $80 for it.
Jump Rope: Should be one of your cheapest purchases. Under $10.
Punch Mitts: These are pads which slip over the hands in order to target and catch punches. If you have a workout buddy, one of you can practice stuff while the other makes like a punching hag. They are very effective tools if utilized properly. A good pair runs around $50.
B List:
Only if you wish to spar, and only when you're ready.
Headgear: Don't skimp here! Purchase a design that covers as much as possible: chin, cheeks and forehead. There are models with a face bar that protects the nose and mouth, but breathing in them is a little difficult.
Good headgear has lace straps that really keep the thing tight on your head. This is very important.
You don't want your headgear slipping over your eyes
after every punch you take.
Mouthguard: Very important unless you plan on never getting hit. The "boil and bite" variety are inexpensive (under $10) and work fine. "Boil and bite" refers to the method used to form-fit this type of guard to your teeth.
First
it's boiled in water to make it pliable, then you place it
in your mouth, press it with fingers to your teeth and
bite down.
The mouthpiece is made of material that
doesn't retain heat and won't burn you.
Sparring Gloves: As stated previously, sparring gloves are designed differently from bag gloves since they'll be used to strike a person and not a bag. My gloves are 14 ounces, padded with two inches of multi-layered foam and are secured with large Velcro straps for easy on and off. I paid $135 for a very good pair of leather gloves. Don't skimp here either.
Groin Protector: The mother of all jock straps. This is a girdle-type thing that protects groin, hips and kidneys. I spent $45 on mine. It's bright red and you can see me coming a mile away. By the way, a simple jock and cup aren't quite enough protection in this sport.
Note for Female Boxers
Women have their own designs to choose from for groin and breast protection. Gloves are specifically manufactured for women, as well.
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