It is easy to spend more time worrying about the kit than the first class itself. In most cases, you can begin with comfortable sportswear and a few things you already own. A quick message to the gym will settle the questions about gloves, wraps and footwear before you arrive.
Clothes you can move in
Choose a T-shirt or vest with shorts or leggings that stay comfortable when you bend, turn and raise your arms. Try a few of those movements at home. A waistband that rolls or a top that needs pulling down will be more annoying once you have gloves on.
A supportive sports bra should feel comfortable during skipping and other bouncing movements. Tie long hair back and remove jewellery. If you wear glasses, ask the gym how it handles the exercises in an introductory class.
Trainers are usually enough to begin
Bring clean trainers and check the gym’s floor rules. You can decide whether to buy boxing shoes once you know which sessions you will attend regularly. Specialist footwear is easier to choose after you have tried the class and spoken to the coach.
Ask about gloves and wraps
Some gyms lend gloves for a first session, while others expect you to bring your own. Ask whether wraps are needed and whether someone will show you how to use them. If you are buying gloves, confirm the ounce weight required for the class before choosing a model.
Gloves marketed to women are not automatically narrower. Try any potential pair with your wraps and check the hand compartment and wrist cuff separately. Our women’s boxing gear guide covers the fit questions in more detail.
Pack a small gym bag
A water bottle, small towel and any equipment the gym has requested are enough for the first visit. Bring a hair tie if you need one and leave space to carry damp clothing separately afterwards.
Arrive a little early, introduce yourself to the coach and say that you are new. Ask where to leave your bag and how the class works. You do not need to arrive already knowing the terminology or carrying every piece of equipment.
After the class
If you enjoyed it, ask which equipment the coach recommends buying first. You will now know whether the session is mainly fitness work, bag and pad training or part of a broader boxing programme, which makes the next purchase much easier to judge.