Getting into the world of boxing can be incredibly exciting. It can also be a little frightening. After all, you’re soon going to find yourself squaring off with many strong and more experienced opponents. You may not know what to expect. Before you head to the gym and jump into the ring, you need to make sure that you have the most essential gear.

Without it, there is a good chance that you’re going to get yourself seriously hurt. At the very least, your local boxing coach may turn you away with a list of necessary supplies. Below, you’re going to learn more about the equipment that you need as a beginner boxer.

Mouthpiece

Boxers are going to get hit in the mouth. This is completely unavoidable. Even the most allusive boxers are going to get smacked across the face at least a few times during their career. With that being said, you need to make sure that your teeth are protected. Even if you’re a professional, you’re going to need a mouthpiece. In this area, you will find that there are plenty of options at your disposal.

You can visit your local sporting goods store and buy a generic mouthpiece. Usually, there are a few sizes and you can mold the mouthpiece to fit your teeth. The fit will not be perfect, but generic mouthpieces can provide you with some protection.

If you’re serious about your boxing venture and you want the most protection, you should take a mold of your teeth and get a custom mouthpiece.

Boxing Gloves

You’ll also need a set of boxing gloves. In fact, you may need more than one set. Boxing gloves are available in many different weights. The weight that you’re going to be using depends on the situation at hand. When you’re fighting in an exhibition, the weight will depend on the rules and regulations. You’ll also need to use the right gloves for the heavy bag and the speed bag.

A serious boxer will ultimately have two or three pairs of boxing gloves. You should do the same, but start first with training on the heavy bag. Grab yourself a pair of heavy bag gloves and get a feel for the bag. Then progress your way up to different styles of punching bags.

A good boxing source where you can find the top rated gloves designed specifically for your heavy bag and learn more about boxing and mixed martial arts is SmartMMA. They provide quite a bit of knowledge for all skills levels and especially beginning boxers to help you learn what you need to know to get started.

Boxing Headgear

Many people who watch boxing believe that head guards are for babies and sissies. This couldn’t be further from the truth. All boxers are going to use head gear at some point or another. Why would they take the risk of getting cut or hurt in the gym? You can pretty much guarantee that Floyd Mayweather is wearing headgear when he prepares for those big matches.

You should follow in his footsteps. Headgear is important for numerous reasons. It is going to cushion the blows and it’ll protect your face from cuts. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re preparing for your next professional fight, you need some type of head protection.

Do not skimp in this area. Get the best headgear you can find so you can have a happy, fulfilling life after your boxing career has concluded.

The Cup

It is somewhat rare, but it does happen. Boxers are going to take dirty blows from time to time. If you’re an unlucky soul, you might just take a lightning fast punch straight to the family jewels and you can guarantee that the punch will put you down for the count. It might even do permanent damage.

This is why you need to protect your jewels with a good cup. Do not be afraid to spend more in this area. Those one-size-fits-all cups aren’t going to cut it. Make sure that you get the perfect fit. Get measured and get a cup that offers the most protection.

The Old Jump Rope

When you were in grade school, you probably thought that jumping rope was fun. At the time, it might have been. For boxers, the old jump rope is really one of the most important tools of the trade. You cannot take it into the ring with you. However, you can use it to boost your cardio immensely.

A good jumping rope is going to provide you with a strenuous exercise. It’ll allow you to enhance your cardio, while also allowing you to improve your footwork. With a jump rope, you can skip the road work and work on your cardio any time of the day or night.

Kettlebell Training improves your cardiovascular system allowing you to get less fatigue in a fight.

A Timer

Finally, you should go ahead and buy yourself a timer. It might not seem like it, but boxing is a heavily regulated sport. When you enter the ring, you can rest assured that the rounds are going to last three minutes. You’re usually going to have a minute to rest.

You’ll want to train for this specifically. A timer will give you the ability to do just that. With a timer, you’ll be able to hit the bag for three minutes and rest for one. This will condition your body for the matches ahead.