Starting kickboxing is exciting. For a trial lesson, sports clothes and a bottle of water are usually enough, and many clubs have gloves you can borrow. Ask your club beforehand. Once you train regularly, you'll want your own gear. Here is what you need and what to look out for.
1. Boxing gloves
Boxing gloves are sized by weight, in ounces (oz). A heavier glove usually has more padding. Lighter gloves (10 to 12 oz) are often used by children, juniors and lighter adults. Many adults train with 14 or 16 oz, and many clubs ask for 16 oz gloves for sparring. Read more in Which boxing glove weight (oz) do you need?
2. Hand wraps
Hand wraps go under your gloves. They support your wrists and knuckles and absorb sweat. GLADTS hand wraps are 460 cm long, with a thumb loop and a hook-and-loop closure. This is how you put them on: How to wrap your hands.
3. Mouthguard
You wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth during sparring and other contact training, and many clubs require one. The GLADTS mouthguard comes in Junior (for children with milk teeth) and Senior (for adults and children without milk teeth). You mould it to your own teeth with hot water: How to fit your mouthguard.
4. Shin guards
In kickboxing you kick with your shins and also block kicks with them. That is why shin guards are used for kicking drills with a partner and for sparring. Kickboxing shin guards usually cover the shin and the top of the foot. GLADTS shin guards come in M, L and XL. Tips on size and fit: Choosing shin guards for kickboxing.
5. Clothing
To start with, comfortable sports clothes are fine: a T-shirt and shorts that let you kick freely. Kickboxing is usually trained barefoot. Many kickboxers wear wide Muay Thai or kickboxing shorts, which give your legs room to kick.
Extra protection for sparring
Depending on your club and your level, your trainer may also ask you to wear a groin guard or headgear for sparring. Ask what your club requires before you buy.
Everything in one order: the GLADTS starter sets
With a GLADTS starter set you get the basics in one order: boxing gloves, shin guards (M, L or XL), black hand wraps of 460 cm and a black mouthguard with storage case (Junior or Senior). The Kickboxing Starter Set – Classic Red has Classic Red gloves (12 to 20 oz) and Classic shin guards; the Kickboxing Starter Set – Bordeaux Red has Bordeaux Red gloves (12 to 18 oz) and Bordeaux Red & White shin guards. As a set, you pay less than for the items separately. Do you only box? Then a Boxing Starter Set with gloves, hand wraps and mouthguard is all you need, in Classic Red or Bordeaux Red.
Tips for your first weeks
- Ask your trainer which glove weight and which protection your club uses before you buy.
- Open your gloves after every training session and let them air out. Don't leave them in a closed sports bag.
- Wash your hand wraps regularly. Close the hook-and-loop first, so it doesn't catch on other laundry.
Questions about sizes? Email info@gladts.nl or send a WhatsApp message to +31 6 52 33 33 42. We are happy to help. You can also find answers in our FAQ.
FIGHT FOR GLORY.