Boxing Training Guide for Beginners

What do you need to wear at boxing sessions? What is the various boxing training equipment called and what is it used for?

This boxing training guide for beginners covers the very basics of boxing training so you can walk into your boxing session with some confidence and knowledge. Although no-one is going to expect you to be a pro-boxer straight away, it is good to familiarise yourself with why you might be using a certain punch bag or why you should wear a gum shield.

So, let’s start with a checklist on what to bring to your training session.

Boxing Training for Beginners Kit Checklist:

Handwraps

In boxing, your hands are a powerful weapon, however, they are also very fragile. There are 27 bones in the human hand, these small bones need protection and support from day one of your boxing training. Handwraps safeguard your fingers, knuckles, thumbs and wrists and when you hit something, they distribute the impact evenly which prevents any sprains or fractures.

So before punching anything, invest in a decent pair of handwraps so you know that when you hit something full force, you won’t injure your hands. In short, hand wraps:

  • Give extra padding to protect the knuckles from direct impact.
  • Prevent the knuckles from separating/smashing together
  • Prevent your fingers from pushing into your palm
  • Reduce sudden movements in the thumbs

When do I wear my handwraps?

Every boxing training session.

Bag Gloves

Ideal for beginner boxers, bag gloves are solely designed for punching bags and boxing pads. This glove typically has less padding compared to a boxing glove is lighter, often with an open thumb. Less padding also means less protection, which is why hand wraps are vital when working with bag and pad exercises.

  • Sole purpose, for bag and pad work
  • Less padding, lighter

When do I wear Bag Gloves?

When working out on a heavy bag.

Sparring Gloves

Sparring gloves are for those whose training includes a sparring partner. These gloves are heavier and have significantly more padding than bag gloves, they are for protection and make training safe. Sparring gloves protect both your hands and your partner, the extra padding absorbs the impact of a punch on the receiving end, preventing any injury. Take a look at our size guide to see what oz weight glove is for you. It is also advisable to check with your trainer as to what the best size gloves are for you.

  • Protect your sparring partner
  • Prevent your own hand injuries
  • Heavier than bag gloves
  • Extra padding for safe sparring
  • Available in different weights 6oz-18oz

When do I wear Sparring Gloves?

When sparring with a partner.

Headguards

When sparring with a partner, headguards protect boxers from soft-tissue damage, such as cuts and more obviously, protect the face and cranium against weighted blows. They are also used in amateur boxing competitions. As a beginner, you should wear headgear when sparring, even professionals use them throughout their careers when training.

However, it’s important to note that headguards do not protect you from the severe effects of harder punches like stunning and KO’s. A false sense of security might lead amateur boxers to directly take the hits and punches rather than working on their defence.

  • Protect face and head from soft tissue damage
  • Won’t stop effects of harder punches e.g. KO’s

When do I wear Headguards?

For sparring training and amateur boxing championships.

Groin/Kidney and Foul Protectors

Worn for sparring by beginners and pros, foul protectors protect the groin area from powerful low punches. A kidney and foul protector provides a more comprehensive defence than just a ‘cup’, it also protects the kidney area.

  • Protecting the groin and kidneys from low punches
  • Beginners and Pro boxers use in training

When do I wear Groin/Foul Protectors?

When in sparring training and boxing championships, amateur and pro.

Mouthguards

As a beginner, it is important to get used to wearing a mouthguard that fits perfectly. Just as vital as the handwraps, mouthguards not only protect your teeth but prevent your teeth from cutting the inside of your mouth and lips. Some boxers have bitten right through their tongue, so it’s not worth skipping out on a mouthguard, even in training. The mouthguard also aids to lock the top and bottom jaws together. This prevents painful damage to the jaw joint capsule if you are struck by a hook.

  • Protects inside of mouth and lips from cuts
  • Prevents teeth from being knocked out
  • Helps lock the jaw, preventing painful injuries

When do I wear Mouthguards?

For sparring training and boxing championships, amateur and pro.

Boxing Training for Beginners Equipment Checklist:

When you walk into a boxing gym there is a wealth of equipment for beginners to use. The skill level of a boxer and what their training routine focuses on influences which boxing training equipment they use. Here is a beginners introduction to boxing training equipment so you know what to expect.

The Heavy Bag

Recognised as a staple in any boxing gym, the heavy bag, also known as ‘the training bag’, is used to coach young boxers where and how to hit an opponent. It is also used by boxers of all skills to practice boxing combinations and improve overall fitness and power.

Benefits of the heavy bag:

  • Practice a range of combinations and strikes
  • Full body toning and shaping
  • Improves muscular endurance
  • Strengthens your bones, tendons and ligaments
  • Helps condition your cardiovascular system
  • Relieves stress and helps channel aggressive energy

There are different types of heavy bags for different punches and strikes that you may see in the boxing gym, for example, the uppercut training bag:

The Speed Ball

Another important and popular piece of training equipment that hangs at eye level. The speedball is used by beginners and professional boxers. It perfects skills such as speed (it’s in the name), strength and endurance.

Benefits of the speedball:

  • Faster and stronger punches
  • Helps with rhythm in punches
  • Learn to keep your hands up
  • Improves Concentration
  • Improves Reaction time, reflexes and coordination
  • Builds upper body muscle strength
  • Cardiovascular workout
  • Various sizes available from mini to large

The Focus Mitts

Focus mitts, otherwise known as punch mitts, are padded targets worn by your training partner or boxing coach. With the right instruction and mitt partner, you can develop offensive and defensive fighting techniques as well as your reflexes and punching technique.

Benefits of focus mitts:

  • Strike and practice combinations
  • Improve punching power, speed and endurance
  • Improve offensive combinations
  • Improve defensive skills e.g. blocking
  • Practice all boxing skills on a moving target e.g footwork

See you in the boxing gym!

Hopefully, this will give you a basic knowledge of what kit a boxing beginner needs and why. Also, the purpose and benefits of specific boxing training equipment so when you step into the gym you can start your boxing training with confidence.

See our full range of Cleto Reyes products for boxing equipment you can train in with confidence.

Our Best Sellers: