“What should I wear for boxing?” “If I’m a woman, perhaps leggings?” “And for a man, are sweatpants a good option?” These are some of the questions beginner boxers sometimes ask themselves before joining a boxing gym. We have some suggestions for you in this article, so keep reading!
What should I wear for boxing training?
First of all, let’s talk about tops. Whether you are a male or female boxer, you need to wear something that will stay in place and is not too loose. The reason? Your boxing gloves. Once you have them on, it will be difficult to tuck in clothes or change if you feel something about your clothes is bothering you.
For men, according to Boxing Life, a tight sports tech t-shirt will be ideal, or a top tank. If you feel like you sweat a lot, a compression top will help with that. As for women, you will need a sports bra since there will be a lot of upper body movement taking place in boxing. A sports tech top is also a great option.
Some boxers like to wear shirts or sweatshirts that have the sleeves cut off to allow the shoulders to move unrestricted and to have the top come off easily if they are still wearing gloves.
What do you wear for boxing for the bottom part of your body? Remember that in boxing training you will not only be throwing punches, but you will also have an entire warm-up and conditioning part that involves jumping rope, burpees, running and more. Therefore, you need to be comfortable.
Also, you will not want your shorts to fall down when squatting and embarrass yourself in front of everyone present, right? So, a recommendation for men is to wear comfortable sport shorts and compression shorts or leggings underneath to help with the sweat and in case you believe that the shorts might come loose. For boxing women, workout shorts or leggings are great options.
Professional boxers usually wear long shorts that have a loose-fitting in the legs and high waisted with a thick elastic. However, it is rare to see them train with this attire, they will most likely use it in fights.
What shoes and socks to wear?
The next question is probably “what should I wear for boxing regarding shoes and socks? Sport or compression socks are the best. They will help avoid blisters and will feel very comfortable during boxing practice.
As for shoes, if you are planning on doing this sport for a long time, invest in good boxing shoes. They provide the best support for the movements and footwork you will be doing, which is something that regular rubber shoes do not do.
Nonetheless, Boxing Insider says that the appropriate footwear will depend on the type of floor surface where you are training. “If you are in a traditional boxing gym with concrete and canvas, please wear shoes! Boxing shoes are available in all different styles, and wrestling shoes are a good alternative if you cannot obtain boxing shoes. Regular athletic shoes can also be used depending on the type of tread. Hiking shoes will not work”, they explain.
Finally, don’t forget your handwraps! You do not want to have sore knuckles after a boxing session or get hurt. Check out this video by Expert Boxing where they explain how to wrap your hands and wrists properly:
What can I wear to a boxing match?
There is a boxing match coming up and you are going as a spectator but you have no idea what the dress code is like? Don’t worry. We have gathered several tips that Sports Rec published on their blog about what to wear to a boxing competition.
The first thing you need to figure out is the scale of the event. Is it a small match in a local gym or is it taking place in a large stadium? Then, the location of the tickets you purchased will also give you hints about what the appropriate clothes will be. “Front row seats for a title fight typically draw very formal dress while a local youth event is often semi-formal or casual”, they explained.
Amateur and youth league fights are typically informal. Women spectators can wear casual attire, such as jeans and a shirt. College fights have a mixed attire, but front-row seats require more of a semi-formal dress code and heels are ok. Professional title fights are typically formal, especially for the first few rows.
As for men, jeans and a collared shirt will do for youth and amateur fights. College-level fights are also semi-formal and you can see some men wearing suits (but it also depends on the venue). Fights that take place in casinos will require more formal wear, as well as professional fights, where slacks and a collared shirt or a suit are seen often.
What should I wear for boxing if I am one of the fighters?
If you are boxing in a match, the dress code is consistent on most levels with a standard uniform. Female competitors wear a sports bra, boxing trunks and boxing shoes. They wear hand wraps, gloves and a mouthguard as well. Amateur boxers are required to wear head protection.
Men boxers usually wear boxing trunks, no shirt, boxing shoes, gloves and a mouthguard. Also, amateur boxers wear head protection and sometimes a sleeveless shirt. For both men and women, it is common for them to wear a hooded robe before entering the ring.
Finally, whether you are training or competing, if you have long hair you will want to keep it off your face (this goes for men and women). You do not want to have the hair on your face and keep you from seeing your opponent and end up getting hit in the face. Also, when wearing gloves, it can be very difficult (or impossible) to remove the hair from your face.
What do you like to wear for boxing? Tell us in the comments below!
