There are tons of different items related to boxing on the market. The majority of them is completely unnecessary, but to train safely and comfortably, you definitely need to have some of them.
Here are the three parts of the boxing equipment that I recommend to everyone who wants to train boxing:
These Boxing Wraps on Amazon. When I started boxing I thought that the hand protection provided by my gloves is enough. That was a HUGE mistake. After the first week, I had wrist and knuckles pain. I couldn’t work on the heavy bag or on mitts for the next 2-3 weeks. So, please don’t make the same mistake! Don’t train without wraps, especially in the beginning. They can really support your wrist and protect your knuckles while hitting.
This mouthguard on Amazon.com. If you want to protect your smile you need to get a mouthguard. This is the cheapest but the most useful part of the boxing equipment. It’s 1000 times better to pay $15 now, than thousands of dollars later for dental implants… And you really don’t want to feel the pain and the shock after someone knocks your teeth out during sparring. Buying a mouthguard is COMPLETELY worth it.
This headgear on Amazon.com. The headgear can dramatically reduce the bruisings and cuts on your face after a hard sparring session. I highly recommend getting one, especially if your job requires personal meetings with clients, business partners, etc. I am sure that you really don’t want to look like a boxer while trying to build trust with business people in suits and ties:)
Wraps
The wraps that I recommend are the Elite Sports Professional Hand Wraps (click here to check the price on Amazon). They are really comfortable because of their elasticity and softness. Unlike other wraps, they are breathable (which is very important during an intense workout).
Using them along with a good pair of boxing gloves, you shouldn’t feel any pain in your knuckles or wrists, regardless of how hard you hit the heavy bag or the mitts.
These wraps are 180 inches long, (which is the standard length of boxing wraps) and are really easy to use, because of their velcro closer. They also can be used for other combat sports such as MMA or Muay Thai.
If you aren’t sure how to wrap your hands here is a short video showing you how to do it:
If you use short wraps (116 inches) here is a video of how to wrap them (it’s a little bit different):
I personally prefer the longer wraps, because they give me better fist support but it’s completely ok if you use the shorter type of wraps. Just make sure you are wrapping your hands correctly.
Mouthguard
I recommend the Venum Challenger Mouthguard (click to see it on Amazon) because it’s really protective and comfortable. With its high-density rubber frame, it absorbs the impact of the punches very effectively.
Besides the protection, the other important factor you need to consider before buying a mouthguard is breathing. If the mouthguard you use is too small or is poorly designed, you will probably have breathing difficulties. So, you will gas out much more quickly because of the lack of oxygen delivered to your muscles.
To prevent that I use mouthguards designed for optimal breathing such as the Venum Challenger Mouthguard.
Mouthguard size – It’s “one size fits all”. It forms your mouth after you boil it. You can see how to make it fit you by reading the instructions under the product.
Headgear
I highly recommend the Ringside Ultra Light Sparring Headgear (click to check the price on Amazon). Because of their perfect balance between weight and protection. Here is what I mean by this: Some of the headgears I used were extremely heavy which caused me neck pain. Others were so lightweight because they were so thin and sparse that they weren’t fully protecting my face. But the Ringside Sparring headgear is extremely light and also provides great protection and absorbs the shock. It is also very durable and really comfortable (because of its elastic inner liner).
While there is no data confirming that the headgear reduces concussions, I can definitely say that it really protects you from facial injuries such as a broken nose, cuts, or bruises.