Get Started: Equipment You NEED For Your At-Home Workout Gym

One of the most intimidating parts of starting a home workout routine is figuring out what you need to have an effective home gym. As a competitive fighter, I luckily had my coach to guide me on what boxing equipment to get, and now I’d like to pass that onto all of you so that you can have the best at-home workout possible.

6 At-Home Boxing Workout Equipment Essentials

Solid Workout Shoes

Brand Credit: Puma

Boxing is a sport that starts in the toes--from your biggest punch to your subtlest slip--every movement starts with your feet, so it is important to have proper support. You do not need to buy a $200 pair of boxing shoes for your first pair though. A high top shoe that provides good traction and ankle support will do, especially at first. I actually suggest wrestling shoes for your first pair as they tend to run a little cheaper than boxing shoes and are usually easier to find thanks to high school and collegiate sports. If you’re not sure you want to invest in a specialty pair just yet, you can always go with a pair of cross trainers to get started.

Jump Rope

Jump rope has been a staple of a boxer’s routine for decades, and there is a reason. What you are looking for in a jump rope is a rope that reaches your armpits when held up with your foot anchoring the center of the rope to the floor. A thicker rope will spin faster for high intensity, while a thinner rope will be better for ‘long distance’ or aerobic training. Personally, I like to use a thicker rope, but I know plenty of highly-decorated boxers that use a wire thin rope. It’s all about personal preference and training goals.

Workout Mat

Ab workouts are important both for building core strength and for burning fat. A workout mat protects your lower back from friction burns and the unnecessary pressure of being ground into the floor. The trick here is to get a workout mat that isn’t too thin or too thick. Personally, I just use a yoga mat.

Hand Wraps

Hand wraps protect your knuckles from tearing during striking and keep your wrists stable during impact. And, at least in my opinion, they provide a secret benefit: they look really cool. I will be totally honest here--I can’t shadowbox without my wraps on. Not for any medical reason, it’s just that having the bindings on and seeing them as my fists move keeps me focused and helps me take shadowboxing seriously. It’s just one of those quirks I have I suppose. That being said, you don’t need to use hand wraps when you’re shadowboxing, but they are important whenever you’re going up against the heavy bag or an opponent.

Boxing Gloves

Of course, boxing gloves are essential for any boxing workout. It's important to have a sturdy, reliable pair that can stand up to repeated impact patterns without developing soft spots (spots where the padding has been pushed away). When you’re just starting out, you’ll want to first figure out what size you need. Based on your training goals and focus, check out our guide for how to choose the right boxing gloves. Gloves come in a variety of types and styles, each specific to a facet of training. The ultimate key, though, is to invest in a high-quality and durable pair that will protect you and last for years to come. FightCamp’s boxing gloves are made of premium, genuine leather and are perfect for anyone looking for a comfortable and stylish pair.

Heavy Bag

A heavy bag is the center of any home boxing gym. There are three main varieties: free-standing heavy bag, boxing bag with stand, and hanging bag. All three have their merits, but a free-standing heavy bag (a bag that sits atop a counter weight to keep it in place) is by far the most convenient for an at-home gym as it can be moved easily from place to place as required. FightCamp’s equipment packages include a sturdy free-standing bag, a mat, a bag ring to keep the bag from sliding around during your workout, hand wraps, and boxing gloves.

I sincerely hope that this list helps you pick out the boxing equipment essentials to get your home gym started. Let us know about items that you couldn’t do without in your home gym on the FightCamp Facebook Community.

And once you’re all set up and ready to take the next step on your at-home fitness journey, let the FightCamp Trainers be your guides. Start with one of our workouts on our YouTube Channel, Blog, or App.

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