What do you need for the first class?
Comfortable sports clothes and water are enough; at F8, gym and shower towels are free for members, and the gym has gloves for the trial class. Boxing and kickboxing are done in trainers, Muay Thai and MMA barefoot.
There are two reasons to leave the shopping until after the first class: you don't yet know which discipline you'll stay with, and the coach can give you a much more accurate recommendation after seeing your hands, your weight and your goal.
Which gear do you buy, and in what order?
- 1. Hand wraps. In the first week. They're cheap, they're personal and they protect the wrist.
- 2. Gloves. Once you decide to continue, usually in the second or third week.
- 3. Skipping rope. If you want to train at home too; the cheapest and most effective investment.
- 4. Shin guards. In kickboxing and Muay Thai, once you move on to checking kicks and partner drills.
- 5. Mouthguard, headgear, groin guard. Only if you move on to controlled partner work (sparring); for most members that's months later, or never.
How many oz should boxing gloves be?
Glove weight is measured in ounces (oz) and tells you how much padding there is: as the oz goes up, so do the padding, the protection and the weight. The general rule:
| Weight | Use | Who for |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 oz | Pads and bag | Children; depending on age and weight |
| 10 oz | Pads and bag | Lighter adults and teens |
| 12 oz | Pads, bag, general training | A first glove for most adults |
| 14 oz | General training, light partner work | Medium-weight and heavier adults |
| 16 oz | Sparring | The standard for partner work; protects your partner |
If you're starting with a single pair, 12 or 14 oz is the safe choice for most adults. If you move on to sparring, buying a separate 16 oz pair protects both your partner and your bag gloves. If you're not sure, ask the coach; once he sees your hands in the first class, he'll give you a clear recommendation.
What should you look at when choosing gloves?
- Boxing gloves and Muay Thai gloves aren't the same. In a Muay Thai glove the padding is spread more evenly over the back of the hand, and the palm is more flexible for the clinch and for catching kicks. If you're going to do kickboxing and Muay Thai, the Muay Thai shape is more practical; if you're only going to box, the boxing shape.
- Velcro or laces? For training, Velcro: you can put them on by yourself, and it's quick. Lace-up gloves are for competition and advanced level.
- Leather or synthetic leather? Real leather lasts longer; a good synthetic leather is more than enough for the first year for someone taking 2–3 classes a week.
- Fit and wrist support. If you can, try the gloves on with your hands wrapped. When you close your fist your fingertips shouldn't be squeezed, and the wrist should stay firm.
- MMA gloves are a separate product. They're open-fingered with thin padding; they're for ground work and MMA drills, and they don't replace boxing gloves for the bag and pads.
Hand wraps: which kind, and how long?
Hand wraps hold the small bones of the hand together and keep the wrist firm; they do what the glove can't. That's why you buy them before gloves; you never hit the bag without gloves, and you shouldn't hit it without wraps either.
- Length. 4–4.5 m (about 180 in) for adults; 2.5–3.5 m for small hands and children.
- Type. A slightly stretchy (semi-elastic) wrap hugs the hand better and is the most practical for a beginner.
- Inner gloves. They go on quickly but don't hold the wrist as firmly as wraps; think of them not as a replacement for wraps but as a back-up for days when you're in a hurry.
- Wrapping. The coach shows you in the first classes; it settles after a few goes. A wrap that's too tight numbs the hand, and one that's too loose does nothing.
Buying two pairs is smart: while one is in the wash, the other is in your bag.
Shin guards, mouthguard and the rest
- Shin guards. For kickboxing and Muay Thai. The sock type is light and suits technical work; models with Velcro straps and thick padding protect better in partner work. They should be long enough to cover the whole shin and the top of the foot.
- Mouthguard. The first requirement for partner work. Models that you soften in hot water and mould to your teeth are enough to start with.
- Headgear and groin guard. Only for those who spar.
- Muay Thai shorts, rash guard. Not compulsory; any sports clothing that doesn't restrict your movement will do. For kicks that need your hips to open, short, loose shorts are more comfortable.
- For children. Protective gear is standard in the kids' groups; the coach tells you what's needed and when. Children grow fast, so there's no need for expensive gear. More on this: kids' and teens' classes.
Looking after your gear: smell and hygiene
In Antalya's heat and humidity, the enemy of your gear is sweat. Gloves that smell bad aren't fate; they're a lack of care.
- Don't leave your gloves in your bag. Take them out after class, wipe the inside with a dry cloth, and let them dry open in a well-aired spot. Don't leave them in direct sunlight; it cracks the leather.
- Wash your wraps after every use. They go in the machine in a mesh laundry bag; once they're dry, roll them up and put them in your bag.
- Wash your mouthguard after every class and keep it in its case.
- Wipe and dry your shin guards. The sock type can be washed.
- Don't share your gear. Wraps and mouthguards are personal.
A well-kept mid-range glove outlives a badly kept expensive one.