When first starting your Krav Maga or self defence training very little equipment is absolutely essential beyond comfy clothes. As you gain experience and confidence, having the right equipment will help you get the best out of your training. Here’s a light-hearted guide to some useful gear that will improve your training experience without breaking the bank.
If you have just joined Kinetic Zen the good news is you don’t need to buy anything else. We will provide you with a white belt to mark the beginning of your journey and a basic but effective mouthguard.
High on the list is the often-overlooked but crucial athletic cup. Protecting your vital areas is pretty important in Krav especially, and Lobloo’s athletic cups are highly regarded by club members for their comfort and protection. They’re designed to stay in place during rigorous activity, ensuring you can focus on your technique rather than constant adjustments. One of the first fun purchases to consider when you feel ready is a nice pair of boxing gloves. They don’t have to be expensive but pick carefully and see below (or ask in class) for some advice.
Soft Shin Guards: Soft shin guards are crafted from flexible materials like foam, making them lightweight and comfortable. However, they are only suitable for very light sparring as they offer little to no protection against strong impacts. These are best for beginners who are just starting out and engaging in non-contact drills, where the focus is more on technique rather than sparring.
Hard Shin Guards: With a rigid outer shell, hard shin guards provide maximum protection against strong impacts. They’re most suitable for intense sparring or competitions where safety is paramount. While they may restrict movement slightly, the robust protection they offer is invaluable for high-impact scenarios.
Revgear Thai Shins: These shin guards blend soft padding with a durable outer layer, offering a balance between comfort and protection. Designed for Muay Thai, they fit snugly and are well-suited for both striking and blocking drills, making them a versatile choice for comprehensive training sessions.
Pinnacle Shin Guards: Pinnacle shin guards focus on maximum protection with thicker padding and a harder shell. Recommended for heavy sparring, they provide excellent safety for intense training. Although bulkier, they ensure your shins are well-protected, giving you confidence during high-impact exercises.
Three kinds of gloves are common in Krav Maga classes. Thai boxing, boxing and MMA gloves. For the moment lets focus on boxing and Thai boxing gloves and see why they might be a sound investment for your Krav Maga and self defence training.
Boxing Gloves: These are specifically designed for striking and are great for protecting your hands and wrists during heavy bag work or pad training. Boxing gloves are typically heavier and have a more rounded shape, providing excellent support for your knuckles and wrists. They’re perfect if you’re focusing on developing your punching techniques and want to ensure your hands are well-protected during intense sessions.
Thai Boxing Gloves: Also known as Muay Thai gloves, these are a bit more versatile compared to traditional boxing gloves. They have a more flexible wrist design, allowing for a greater range of motion, which is essential for clinching and grabbing—common techniques in Muay Thai. The padding is often more evenly distributed, making them suitable not just for punching but also for blocking kicks and elbows.
While premium leather boxing gloves offer unmatched durability and naturally conform to your hands over time, creating a personalized fit that’s hard to replicate, they typically come with a higher price tag and require more maintenance to prevent moisture damage. In contrast, synthetic gloves are generally more affordable and easier to clean, making them ideal for beginners or frequent training sessions, though they may not provide the same level of breathability and tend to have a shorter lifespan compared to their leather counterparts
For Krav or no gi grappling you don’t need anything more than comfy clothes. Would we like it if you bought a club t shirt, well sure yes we really would.
For BJJ or Judo classes you will probably want your own gi or kimono, but we don’t mind where you buy it from and can probably lend you a jacket to try it out. For any kind of training that involves groundwork a rashguard is a comfort enhancing item of clothing.
