A killer cardiovascular workout, it is unsurprising that boxing has evolved over the years from a competitive sport to more mainstream fitness.
Whether you are an ambitious athlete training in a dedicated boxing gym or a cardio connoisseur turning up the tempo at a Boxfit studio, nailing the techniques requires skill, patience and coordination. Boxing works almost all muscle groups (abs, lower back, glutes and obliques) as you jab, cross and hook your way to the championship belt or your personal best.
Its inclusion into the boutique studio offering has opened up the sport to a world of strength and conditioning enthusiasts that would otherwise be unfamiliar, which makes it easy to forget that boxing is, first and foremost, a martial art.
Saul Ramson-Williams, Head of Product and Master Rumble Trainer at 1Rebel, explains “Boxing isn’t commonly considered a martial art, but it is. One of the oldest martial arts, it brings together the art of motion and the art of fighting”.
What equipment do you need for boxing in studios?
Unlike running which simply requires a pair of kicks, boxing is quite the equipment-heavy sport. For your first foray, you will need hand wraps at the very least (if not your own set of boxing gloves – especially if you want to avoid the hugely unpleasant aroma that emanates from the shared mitts at all gyms).
Ramson-Williams confirms this. He says, “At 1Rebel, we use aqua bags which are suspended from a dedicated rig and runs around the room. Filled with water, aqua bags allow for a more natural punch. Boxing gloves and wraps are also essential, plus everyone needs good footwear. In Rumble, we also have benches and dumbbells, which allow for a more rounded workout”.
As you begin to take your practice more seriously, consider spongey but supportive specialised boxing shoes so you can bounce around the ring and a head guard to protect your precious skull.
What do you need for boxing at home?
“Technically you don’t need anything! Shadow boxing, where you perform all the same boxing moves but without a bag, is a great way to incorporate boxing into your fitness routine without needing any equipment”, he reveals. “Combine with bodyweight strength moves and you’ve got a fantastic workout”.
The boxing instructor adds, “If there is scope for equipment, then boxing gloves, wraps and a bag would be ideal; you can purchase floor-standing bags which are great where ceiling height and load won’t support a hanging bag. A skipping rope is also a great addition and relatively cheap to buy”.
How to wrap hands for boxing
Ramson-Williams explains, “If you’re a beginner or just dabbling in boxing, then slip-on wraps are great and don’t require any instructions. If you’re more serious about the sport, then learning how to properly wrap your hands will help fully protect your wrist, thumb and knuckles. The key parts to get in place are the thumb loop, a triple wrist wrap then wrapping knuckles, before finishing by looping around each finger. There are plenty of YouTube tutorials that will show the specifics”.
How to wash boxing gloves
To avoid the pungent aroma, the boxing expert says “The key is to keep them dry”. He continues “This is why using wraps is a must, as it will stop as much sweat ending up in the glove itself. Then after each workout hang the gloves up somewhere like an airing cupboard so the moisture can escape. You can also buy moisture absorbers that you can slot into the gloves after a session”.
But where do you source these essentials? Find the best boxing brands below to get all the gear to turn your training up a notch.
Everlast
A brand almost synonymous with boxing, you will spot Everlast in gyms both boxing dedicated and broader workout spaces. Its range of protective equipment, bags, footwear and apparel are emblazoned with the unmissable logo and have been put through their paces by professionals and amateurs alike.
The Bronx-born brand has been around for over 100 years and is now one of the biggest and most expansive in the world, supplying enthusiasts in the ring with their kit since 1910. Its roster, which extends to Sugar Ray Robinson, Canelo Alvarez and Errol Spence Jr., to name but a few, is a testament to the durability and quality of the line.
Buy now, Everlast
Adidas
As you may imagine, the German sportswear giant’s multi-discipline range extends to boxing. It is one of the more capsule collections from the label, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. This is namely the boxing trainers. These found global acclaim back in 1968 when Texan-born heavyweight boxer George Foreman secured the gold medal during the Mexican Summer Games. Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier were also known to adorn Adidas on their feet, the former of which was rarely spotted without his signature red and white colourway.
There are currently three silhouettes as part of the online offering. Each of the designs is high-top for ankle support and is adorned with the signature three stripes known and loved by fitness and fashion enthusiasts alike. There is a limited selection of apparel and water bottles too, but the footwear is why Adidas is a destination for boxers.
Buy now, Adidas
RDX
While RDX may be best known for its boxing gloves, the brand is not a dedicated fighting-based equipment label. In fact, alongside its staples for boxing and MMA, it has yoga, weightlifting and strength training essentials too.
When it comes to boxing, though, the online retailer includes training punch bags, speed bags, platforms, angle and uppercut bags, mitts, pads and all the above for kids in its offering. Gloves are where the label excels with designs to suit all colour and style preferences, including some attractive patterns for fashion-conscious fitness enthusiasts. If you’re starting to take your boxing more seriously, look to the International Boxing Association (IBA)-approved collection with models that are the optimal weight, design and appearance for entering the ring.
Buy now, Amazon
Lonsdale
Half a century ago, Lonsdale emblazoned its first lion on a piece of boxing equipment and it’s only been uphill since then. Another brand you will spot in boutique studios and dedicated boxing gyms alike, it has counted British former professional boxer Carl ‘The Cobra’ Froch as well as Muhammad Ali among its fan base over the years, but is as much a stalwart in the kits of amateur soon-to-be ring stars.
You will find a Lonsdale product in every category of boxing equipment - from head guards to boots, gloves to pads, bags to accessories. The brand makes for an affordable way to enter the sport, bringing quality products at purse-friendly price tags.
Buy now, Sports Direct
Sting
Sting has its roots Down Under, but it has in a relatively short time, taken a global hold on the boxing community. This comes down to a simple fact: it provides high-quality, universal-use products to minimise the risk of injury.
With this in mind, the Sting range is brimming with gloves, head guards and hand wraps as well as a competition range approved by the IBA. The mitts have been anatomically designed and combine function and fashion with sleek, premium detailing and its fierce spider design, all to send your opponent packing.
Buy now, Amazon
LEONE 1947
Orlando Leone founded his eponymous boxing brand in 1947 in his native Italy, bringing his expertise in leather goods to technical wear. The collection includes must-haves for a range of fighting disciplines, extending to Muay Thai, Savate and MMA. The family-run business is now in its third generation and has counted Italian champion Orlando Fiordigiglio and UFC’s Alessio Sakara among its ambassadors.
When investing in LEONE equipment, you are adding leather designs defined by their comfort. The boxing gloves include anti-shock specialised boxing leather, while the shoes have tactical cushioning to put a spring in your step.
Buy now, Amazon
Beast Gear
Entering beast mode is what this brand is all about. No matter what stage you are at in your fitness journey, Beast Gear has the kit to ensure you smash your fitness goals, especially when you’re just starting out - and this goes beyond just boxing. Its skipping ropes are some of the best in the biz, but there are hand wraps, weights for the strength and conditioning part of your training, boxing gloves and mouthguards too - all at a very affordable price point.
Buy now, Amazon
