What to Wear to Kickboxing?

So you’ve just organized your first ever kickboxing class. You are super excited, a little nervous, and eager to get learning. You know exactly where to go, you’ve chatted to the instructor and feel reassured, now all you have to do is wait patiently. Oh, and decide what to wear.

Going to any exercise class can have you wondering what on earth you should wear. Do you turn up in sweats, gym leggings, yoga pants? Do you need running shoes, bare feet, a special type of sock with grips? Will you sweat or will the room be chilly? So many questions.

Luckily, we are on hand to take the guesswork out of deciding what to wear at your first ever kickboxing class. 

Hey not so fast! Before we tell you all about what you should wear, we need to think about what sort of kickboxing class you are going to.

There are two types of kickboxing classes - kickboxing fitness which is an exercise class that does the kickboxing moves but without having contact with an object or another person, and secondly, actual kickboxing which is a stand-up combat class where you will be sparring with a partner or kicking a bag. 

Typically, the first will take place in a gym or fitness studio. They tend to expect you to wear sports shoes or sneakers like you would for any other class. For the combat sport kind of kickboxing, you may not be able to wear a shoe because of the damage it may cause the training mats. 

The type of class you are attending will determine what you wear on your feet. The rest of it will work well for either class. Make sure you know what sort of class you have signed up for before choosing your outfit. 

Comfort is key 

Kickboxing, of any kind, is a very intense exercise. You will be performing high kicks and staying very active as it is a sport that has you constantly moving. Wear something that will not be restrictive to your movements, enabling you to kick out freely.

Also, you should not choose clothes that drag or dangle to ensure that you and others do not slip or trip over them. Consider some gym leggings, yoga pants, or lightweight sweats.

You are also likely to get very warm, so wear layers so you can take off your sweatshirts, hoodies, and long-sleeved shirts if you get too warm. Short sleeves should be considered to ensure that the sleeves do not get in the way. 

Consider sweat proof clothing

As we mentioned earlier, kickboxing is a super intense exercise that is guaranteed to have you sweating buckets. It may be worth considering wearing moisture absorbing garments that allow your skin to breathe.

Not much can be done to stop you sweating, it’s a good thing because it means you will be getting the most out of your kickboxing training, however, we know that excess sweat does bother some people, so you could always try to counteract it with a good deodorant and some sweat proof sports clothes. 

Do you have breasts? - wear a sports bra!

If you have breasts, we cannot express the importance of wearing a good quality sports bra enough! It is super important that your breasts are protected and comfortable when you are kickboxing.

Look for a sports bra that offers maximum support when you are kicking, as well as allowing your skin to breathe. You do not want it to be tight as this could cause more harm than good, causing chafing and soreness.

Having one that is too loose, though can be very uncomfortable for you. It needs to be able to withstand high impact activity with ease. 

Protective gear 

When you are kickboxing with a sparring partner or using a bag, it is important that you are protected. There is certain gear that must be worn to ensure full protection.

It would be a good idea to check with the instructor before your class to see whether you need to bring your own equipment to the class, or whether it will be provided there for you.

These protective pieces of equipment and garments include hand wraps, boxing gloves, mouth guards, and any protective headgear you may want to wear. 

Of course, if the class you are attending is a non-contact kickboxing fitness class it is very unlikely that you will need this equipment. If you’re unsure, always check with your instructor first. 

On your feet

We mentioned this briefly earlier, but it is such an important factor that we wanted to give it its own section too. What you wear on your feet is a super important consideration to make as it may well change depending on the type of class you are attending and where the class is.

Some gyms have strict rules that state that sneakers and sports shoes must be worn at all times, these tend to be more common for kickboxing fitness classes. 

If you are attending a kickboxing combat class, it is very unlikely that you will be made to wear shoes. This is because the hard soles of the shoes could damage the mats on which you train and the bags when you kick them.

As well as this, if you are sparring with a partner, wearing shoes will be very dangerous and could cause them to get an injury. It is far more likely that you will either be barefoot in a combat class or perhaps in a special sort of sock with grips. 

When it comes to our feet in these classes, it is always best to check with the person running the class and/or the instructor first to get their advice. 

Final word 

We hope that our article has eased your mind a little and shown you exactly what sort of clothing you should wear to kickboxing.

As always, if you are still unsure you should check with the instructor of the class.

Enjoy your first class, we just know you are going to love it!