You need four things to start: a mouthguard, boxing gloves (12–14oz), hand wraps, and athletic shorts or spats. That's it. Don't buy shin guards, headgear, a bag, or a gi before you've trained for at least a month — most gyms have loaner gear and you need time to learn what you actually use before spending money on it.
Walk into any MMA forum and ask what gear you need as a beginner. You will immediately get seventeen conflicting answers, three affiliate links, and at least one guy telling you to get the same gloves that Conor McGregor wears. Ignore all of it.
The truth is simple: most beginners buy too much too soon, or spend money on the wrong things. This guide tells you exactly what to get on day one, what to pick up after a month or two of consistent training, and what to skip entirely until you know you are sticking with the sport.
Note: Always consult your gym instructor about required gear before purchasing — requirements vary by gym. Some gyms loan gear to beginners for the first few classes.
Buy hand wraps before you buy gloves. Wrapping correctly protects your wrists and knuckles — and it takes practice to get right. Start learning the technique from day one.
Day 1 Essentials
These are the four things you actually need before your first class. Everything else can wait.
1. Hand Wraps
Hand wraps protect the small bones in your hands and stabilize your wrists. They cost almost nothing and every gym will expect you to have them. Get a standard 180-inch cotton wrap. Mexican-style stretchy wraps are marginally nicer but not necessary at the start.
Price range: $8–$15 for a pair. Sanabul, Everlast, and RDX all make solid beginner wraps at that price. Get two pairs so you always have a clean set ready.
2. Mouthguard
Non-negotiable. A mouthguard is the single cheapest piece of insurance you can buy in combat sports. Even if you are not sparring, you are drilling partner techniques where someone's elbow or knee can connect with your face unexpectedly. Get a boil-and-bite guard from a sporting goods store.
Price range: $15–$30 for a good boil-and-bite (Shock Doctor is the standard recommendation). Custom-fitted guards from a dentist cost $200 or more — save that for when you are actually competing.
3. Rashguard
A compression rashguard is the standard top layer for grappling. It reduces mat burn, keeps sweat off your training partners, and stays in place during ground work in a way that a regular t-shirt simply does not. Most gyms require rashguards or fitted athletic tops — a loose cotton t-shirt becomes a handle for opponents and bunches up uncomfortably in rolls.
Price range: $25–$50. Sanabul makes excellent beginner rashguards around $25. You do not need a Hyperfly or Gold BJJ rashguard on day one.
4. MMA Shorts
Dedicated MMA shorts are cut for full range of motion — deep kick chambers in the seams mean you can throw a round kick without the shorts fighting you. They have a secure velcro and drawstring waistband that will not come undone in a clinch. Regular athletic shorts work for your first class or two, but once you are training regularly you will feel the difference.
Look for shorts with no metal grommets, no back pockets, and no zippers — these scratch your training partners during grappling. Gym etiquette extends to your gear.
Price range: $25–$50. Venum, Sanabul, and Hayabusa all make solid MMA shorts under $45. The $80 Tatami or Scramble shorts are great, but they are not beginner priorities.
| Item | What to Get | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Hand wraps | 180-inch cotton, 2 pairs | $8–$15 |
| Mouthguard | Boil-and-bite (Shock Doctor) | $15–$30 |
| Rashguard | Fitted compression top | $25–$50 |
| MMA shorts | No pockets, no zippers | $25–$50 |
| Total | $73–$145 |
Gloves: The Gear People Overthink Most
Gloves deserve their own section because people spend the most money here and make the most mistakes here. There are two different types of gloves you will encounter in MMA training, and they are not interchangeable.
Bag Gloves / Boxing Gloves (for striking work)
When you are hitting pads, a heavy bag, or doing boxing/Muay Thai technique work, you use boxing-style gloves — the ones that look like proper boxing gloves with a closed fist. These protect your hands and cushion impact.
For beginners, 12 oz to 16 oz is the right range. Heavier gloves slow your hands slightly but protect you and your partners better. If you are under 150 lbs, 12–14 oz works. Over 150 lbs, go 14–16 oz.
You do not need to buy these on day one. Most gyms have loaner gloves for beginners. Borrow them for your first two or three weeks, get a sense of whether you are actually going to keep training, then invest in your own pair.
Price range: $30–$80 for a solid beginner pair. Sanabul Essential Gel boxing gloves ($30–$40) are excellent for the money. Hayabusa T3 gloves ($120+) are genuinely good but there is zero justification for buying them in your first three months.
MMA Gloves (open-finger style)
These are the smaller, open-fingered gloves you see fighters wearing in the cage — typically 4 oz. They are used for grappling drills where you need your fingers free, and for MMA sparring when you are more advanced. They are not for bag work.
As a beginner, you will not need dedicated MMA gloves for a while. Your gym will tell you when they become relevant.
Price range: $25–$60 when you do need them. RDX and Venum both make good open-finger gloves in that range.
"Buy gloves after you've been to three or four classes, not before. Borrow from the gym first and make sure you're going to stick with it."
Buy Later: After Your First Month
Once you have been training consistently for four to six weeks and you know you are committed, start adding these items.
Shin Guards
Shin guards are essential for kickboxing and Muay Thai sparring, and recommended for any MMA striking work with a partner. They protect both your shins and your training partners' legs. However, most beginner technique classes do not require them — you will know when you need them because your coach will tell you.
There are two styles: slip-on (elastic instep guards) and velcro-closure (full shin-and-instep coverage). For MMA training, velcro guards are more versatile. Slip-ons are fine for light sparring.
Price range: $30–$70 for a beginner pair. Fairtex SP5 ($60–$70), Venum Challenger, and RDX all make reliable guards in this range. The $150 Fairtex SP3 shin guards are excellent but not a beginner purchase.
Cup (Men)
A groin cup is strongly recommended for men doing any grappling or sparring. Accidents happen. A compression short with a built-in cup pocket is more comfortable than a traditional hard cup for rolling. Brand does not matter much here.
Price range: $20–$40 for a compression short with cup. Buy this before your first sparring or grappling session — not necessarily on day one, but before you need it.
Headgear
You will not need headgear immediately. At most gyms, beginners do not spar for the first few months, and beginners' sparring is usually boxing-light with no hard shots. When your coach decides you are ready to spar and wants you in headgear, they will tell you what style their gym uses.
The two main styles are open-face (boxing style) and full-face with a cheek and chin bar. MMA gyms vary on preference. Ask before you buy.
Price range: $40–$100 for solid boxing headgear. RDX and Venum have good options under $60. The $200 Cleto Reyes leather headgear is for people who are actually fighting competitively, not beginners.
| Item | Notes | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Boxing/bag gloves | 12–16 oz, borrow first | $30–$80 |
| Shin guards | When coach says spar | $30–$70 |
| Cup + compression shorts | Before any grappling | $20–$40 |
| Headgear | When coach clears sparring | $40–$100 |
What NOT to Buy as a Beginner
The MMA gear market is full of people who want to take your money before you know what you actually need. Here is what to avoid.
Expensive Brand-Name Gloves Out of the Gate
Hayabusa, Fairtex, Twins — these are genuinely excellent brands. Their top-tier gloves are worth it for experienced fighters who train five days a week. They are not worth it for someone in their first three months who may or may not continue training. Buy mid-range, train for six months, then decide whether you want to invest in quality gear.
Full Gear Sets ("Starter Kits")
You will see Amazon listings for "complete MMA starter kit — gloves, shin guards, headgear, rashguard, bag gloves — only $89!" These sets use low-quality components across the board. You are better off buying individual items at the right time. The gloves in those sets will fall apart in six weeks. The shin guards will shift during use. Skip them entirely.
Headgear Right Away
Covered above, but worth repeating: do not buy headgear before your coach tells you that you are ready to spar. Buying headgear in week one signals that you plan to go harder than you should. Let the coach drive that timeline.
Wrestling Shoes (Yet)
Wrestling shoes are great once you specialize in wrestling or compete in grappling tournaments. As a beginner at a general MMA gym, you train barefoot on the mat. Most gyms do not allow shoes on the mat anyway. This is a purchase for much later — if at all.
Compression Spats (Probably)
Spats (compression tights for grappling) are comfortable and useful. They are not essential for months. Shorts alone are fine to start. If your gym has a cold mat or you do a lot of no-gi jiu-jitsu drilling, then consider them — but not on day one.
"The sport will tell you what you need as you progress. Buy the minimum to get through the door and let three months of training inform the rest."
Making Your Gear Last
- Gloves: Wipe down after every session with an antibacterial spray. Let air-dry fully — never store damp in a bag. Replace the inner lining when it starts to smell beyond cleaning.
- Hand wraps: Wash after every use. They absorb far more sweat than gloves and bacteria multiply fast in damp fabric.
- Shin guards: Wipe foam surfaces with antibacterial wipe. Check velcro regularly — worn velcro during rolling will scratch your training partners.
- Mouthguard: Rinse after every use, clean weekly with antibacterial mouthguard solution. Replace every 12 months or when it no longer fits tightly.
- All gear: Ventilate after training — open your bag, hang gear separately. A damp closed bag overnight is how staph starts.
A quick note on care, because a $40 pair of gloves that lasts two years beats a $40 pair that smells like a swamp after six weeks.
- Wash everything after every session. Rashguards, shorts, wraps — all of it. No exceptions. Staph and ringworm spread fast on gear that does not get washed.
- Air out your gloves after every session. Never stuff wet gloves into your bag. Open them up, use glove deodorizers, and let them dry overnight. Anti-bacterial spray inside the gloves extends their life significantly.
- Do not machine wash boxing gloves. It ruins the padding and the stitching. Wipe the exterior, spray the interior, and let them air out.
- Hang dry your rashguard. High heat breaks down spandex. Wash in cold, hang to dry.
That is the complete picture. Start with the four essentials, add gear as your training demands it, and do not let anyone talk you into spending more than you need to. The best MMA gear is the gear that gets you to the gym — everything else is a detail.