Martial arts shops are very good at selling beginners things they don't need yet. Here's a sensible order to buy in.
Session one: nothing
Shorts, a t-shirt, water. That's it. Gyms with any sense will lend you what's needed for a first class or keep you on drills that don't require it.
After a few sessions
- A gum shield — the single most important piece of protective kit
- Hand wraps, which extend the life of your hands and your gloves
- Boxing or sparring gloves (typically 14oz or 16oz for adults)
- A rash guard and grappling shorts if you're training no-gi
Later, if you continue
- Shin guards for striking sparring
- MMA gloves for integrated sparring
- Groin protection
- A gi, if you take up gi BJJ
Buying advice
Ask your coach before ordering. Sizing varies wildly between brands, and the cheapest gloves usually cost more in the long run because they compress within months. Buy one decent item at a time rather than a full kit bag on day one.
Not sure what your class needs? Message us with the session you're attending and we'll tell you exactly what to bring.