Boxing may experience peaks and troughs of popularity but the sport endures and continues to grow.
There’s something primal about boxing that it’s easy to become drawn to.
We’re going to look today at what you need to equip a decent home boxing gym.
Whether you want to get in shape before attending a boxing club or you are already training and want the added flexibility of a space at home, getting a worthwhile gym in place is easy and not particularly costly.
Today, we’ll explore what you need to get started. We’ll review some of the essential gear so you can make the right choice first time. After that, we’ll point you in the direction of some extra equipment to really round out your gym.
So…
Firstly, it’s time to consider a few simple factors before you get down to the business of gathering equipment…
You’ll need a reasonable amount of room for an effective home boxing gym. Split the area into 2:
Try to set up equipment so you’re able to move round in a circle.
If you are limited by the constraints of a garage or basement, simply make the very best of the space at your disposal.
20 square feet should be more than enough.
Do you use dumbbells, bar bells and kettle bells? If so, drag them into your new gym so you’ve got everything you need at hand.
Everyone has different training needs so stick to what works for you.
You can’t really escape the noise that comes from boxing training.
If neighbors are an issue, think about sound-proofing your training space.
You can get some privacy by using blackout shutters over windows. This will still allow you to let in some natural light while enabling you to train away from prying eyes.
OK…
Now you’ve thought about the overall logistics of building a home boxing gym, it’s time to think about the specialist equipment you’ll need.
We’ve divided the equipment into 5 absolute essentials and then some optional extras to really ramp things up.
First up, we’ll run you through the 5 essentials that form the cornerstone of any home boxing gym:
A jump rope should also be included here but it doesn’t merit further explanation. Just get one. Now!
On with the equipment and reviews now…
Evidently, you need a sound pair of boxing gloves that will be comfortable and durable without costing you a fortune.
Gloves come in a range of sizes from 8oz up to 18oz.
There’s no right or wrong choice when it comes to gloves. Indeed, there are several factors that will influence what gloves you need…
via Amazon
Gloves are absolutely crucial for any home boxing gym. This is one area where it’s worth trying to economize.
Handmade in Thailand, these Venum Elites are perfect for sparring or heavy bag work.
They are available in a full range of sizes from 8oz through 16oz. We tried the heaviest ones and they feel nice and substantial without being a burden.
The pair we tested looked mean in white on white. If you want more color, there’s a staggering array of options to suit all tastes.
Although they feel light, these gloves offer plenty of protection with the palm nicely reinforced. If you’re sparring, the Skintex leather means is soft enough that the gloves won’t scrape up your partner.
Long cuffs mean superior wrist protection. You can adjust the Velcro strap to ensure your hands stay nice and straight as you punch.
The mesh panel means these gloves are nice and breathable.
While boxing gloves are always a matter of personal choice, you can’t go far wrong with a pair of Venum Elite.
Although it might be tempted to give the punch bag a couple of quick jabs as you walk by, it really is best never to hit the bag unprotected. You can seriously injure your knuckles, all the more so if you’re not used to the impact you get from punching.
Protecting your hands doesn’t need to cost much so there’s no excuse not to take care of it.
There are 3 main choices for hand protection:
Crepe bandages are the old faithful. You can buy them cheaply at any pharmacy.
The gel-filled under gloves became very popular in MMA and to a lesser extent in boxing.
We’ll look now at some of the best hand wraps you can get for your boxing gym at home…
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If you want to harness the effectiveness of hand bandages while stepping up a gear, check out these professional hand wraps from Everlast.
You know you’re buying into a brand with real boxing heritage and these wraps are priced extremely competitively.
Available in 9 different colors, these synthetic wraps give you a winning combination of comfort and protection.
Treated with Everfresh treatment to fight against bacteria, you’ll keep bacterial growth and any offensive smells at bay fuss-free.
To protect your joints, tendons and muscles from injury, adequate hand protection is a must. These Everlast hand wraps deliver in fine style without costing a fortune.
Once you’ve got your hand protection sorted, you’ll need to think about the other staple of any boxing gym: the legendary heavy bag.
Whether you want to enhance your strength, speed or endurance, a heavy bag is indispensable. It’s also a great way to relieve stress.
There are several different varieties of heavy bag:
We’ll look now at a strong contender for the best heavy bag on the market… (Read more on Best 05 Punch Bag For Home)
Whether you’re a beginner or a trained fighter, this 100-pound heavy bag from Everlast is a smart choice.
Made from synthetic leather and vinyl with a specially blended filler, you’ll get a durable punch bag that doesn’t compromise on comfort.
The Powercore in the center of the bag is a row of four 5-pound sandbags. This allows the upper section to have a little give without causing the bag to start swinging around wildly. Stability is first-rate although prolonged use makes the bottom of the bag as solid as a rock. Avoid contacting this section of the bag.
There’s an adjustable chain and straps to ensure everything is secure. You can also anchor the bag at the base for increased resistance.
For an affordable heavy bag that will last for years, check out the Everlast Nevatear. It might just be the last punch bag you buy.
Interlocking tiles are a great solution. If you don’t have this type of flooring in your home boxing gym, though, you might want some exercise mats.
Calisthenics and body weight exercises are part and parcel of boxing training. Make sure you have something nicely protective to hand.
This mat is extremely thick and durable with bonded foam for support and comfort in one attractive package.
The shell is non-absorbent so it will stay cleaner for longer and wipes down easily. The last thing you want is a mat that wicks in sweat and spills.
If you need to move your mat around, it folds down neatly and comes with carrying handles for your convenience.
Don’t stint on the best exercise mat. This 2 x 6 effort from Everlast represents superb value for money and it’s built to stay the distance
Rounding out the essential section of our guide to home boxing gyms is a mirror.
Don’t be fooled into thinking a mirror is a vanity purchase. You can shadow box effectively using the mirror as your opponent. You can make sure you follow proper form, whether drilling or carrying out ground work. Watching yourself can also be pretty motivational.
Opt for a mirror that can be fixed to the wall and incorporate some form of backing.
Although it might seem fairly costly, you can’t really put a price on safety.
Installation is straightforward and this safety-backed mirror is suitable for both home and commercial use so it’ll be rugged enough for any home boxing gym.
Available in several sizes, we tested the 36 x 72 inch model which should be more than generous enough for most home set-ups.
Pop this up on the wall and the essentials of your home boxing gym are all in place.
So…
Now you can think about a few optional extras. This time, we won’t review specific products but will just give you a quick snapshot of a few pieces of equipment to take things to the next level.
Whether you want to buy a dedicated timer, a kitchen alarm clock or an app on your smart phone, you need some means of keeping accurate time.
Timing can help you to maximize the effectiveness of your training. If you want an aerobic workout, opt for 3-minute rounds followed by 1-minute rest periods. For an anaerobic workout, go for 1-minute rounds at full tilt with a 15-second rest period.
Opt for your preferred method of keeping time without it costing the earth.
If you know you have a sparring partner, it’s worth investing in some focus mitts.
These pads allow you to emulate fighting conditions without resorting to head shots.
Smaller focus mitts work well and prices vary considerably.
Find a pair that you’re comfortable with and enjoy bringing an element of real combat into your home boxing gym.
A maize bag is a teardrop shaped heavy bag generally available in 2 sizes:
This type of bag is much more solid than a traditional heavy bag. It also allows you to practice a greater selection of uppercuts and hooks.
Maize bags work well as an addition to a heavy bag so if you can afford both, you’ll enjoy increased dynamism in your training.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this look at how to set up a home boxing gym without breaking the bank.
There’s no need to rush in and get everything in place at once. You can start slowly with just a heavy bag and some gloves and work up from there if budget is an issue.
If you’ve got any queries or feedback, feel free to get in touch. We respond promptly and we’re always delighted to hear from our readers.
Now go and get those gloves on and hit your home boxing gym hard!
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