The Best Beginner MMA Gear

The best beginner MMA gear, according to most coaches, is a simple set that covers all bases: protection for your hands, legs, teeth, and groin. Start with training-focused MMA gloves, hand wraps, a mouth guard, shin guards, and a groin guard. These cover the essentials for striking, drilling, and light sparring while protecting you from accidental impact. You can add optional items like headgear, rashguards, and knee and ankle supports as you build your kit over time.

Introduction

Starting MMA can feel overwhelming, especially when you look at the gear fighters use and start to overthink how much of it you should have from the beginning. In reality, you don’t need ten pieces of gear to start MMA. A small kit is enough to comfortably get you through your first few months of training. Coaches don’t expect you to show up fully equipped right off the bat. They just want you to have the few essential pieces that protect your major impact points and avoid injury.

In this guide, we walk you through the core beginner MMA gear coaches consistently recommend. Whether you’re researching before you enroll or are a beginner fighter putting together your first kit, this will help you prioritise your purchases.

Core Beginner MMA Gear (Coach-Approved Essentials)

Most gyms have gear that beginners can use. However, if you’re planning to train regularly, having your own set will make your experience safer and more comfortable.

1. MMA Gloves

Gloves are most likely the first piece of MMA gear you’ll use at the gym. Training-focused gloves like the F55 Fusion MMA Training Gloves are perfect for beginners as it offers a good balance of padding and flexibility for striking and grappling. 

As you improve your skills and become more strategic with your training, you might find yourself leaning towards either striking or grappling-oriented sessions. In that case, the Starpro MMA Sparring Gloves offer more protection for your hands and wrists, while the MMA Grappling Gloves are more flexible for better gripping. 

2. Hand Wraps

Hand wraps are still absolutely necessary even with MMA gloves. The gloves may provide padding to protect your knuckles, but it’s the hand wraps that keep the little bones of your hand stable through repeated impact. 

Coaches recommend fighters use traditional hand wraps like Starpro Boxing Bandages as much as possible since they’re more customisable to the fit and needs of your hand. However, there are alternatives such as Inner Gloves that you can quickly slip on before sessions if convenience is your priority.  

3. Shin Guards

Once your training involves kicking drills and sparring, shin guards become a necessity. They protect your shins and your partner from your shins so you can train freely without holding back on movement. 

Shin guards can either be sock-style or strap-style. Sock-style gloves are lighter, more flexible, and more convenient to carry around. However, strap-style guards like the Apex Shin Guards offer more structure and are generally more protective in training. 

4. Mouthguard

A mouthguard is one of those things you think you can get away without until you don’t. Accidental contact happens in any sport, and without a mouthguard, what could be a minor incident could turn bloody really quickly. 

There are boil-and-bite mouthguards that soften in hot water and mould to your teeth for a more secure fit. You can get custom mouthguards done at a dental clinic for a more precise feel, but a well-fitted boil-and-bite mouthguard is generally good enough for training. The key is finding one that stays in place when you talk, breathe, and move.

5. Groin Guard

Accidental hits to the face potentially cause bloody injuries, but it’s accidental impact below the belt that can really curl you up on the ground. Investing in a good groin guard like the Fight Essentials Groin Guard adds a layer of protection to avoid such incidents.

Optional but Recommended Gear

These are the nice-to-haves that would greatly enhance your MMA training experience but you generally can survive without.

1. Headgear

You won’t always need a headgear for the first few classes, but it would be useful to have your own once sparring becomes more regular. The main trade-off here is protection versus mobility. Options like the Nimbus Headguard are highly protective but can be bulky and limit visibility, while alternatives like the M33 Headguard are lighter but comparatively less protective.

2. Rashguards and Shorts

Coaches generally recommend MMA shorts and tight-fitting rash guards for two main reasons: they’re smooth and they stay in place. Rash guards are the proper size when they wrap around your skin. The smooth surface of the fabric makes it less likely to shift or get grabbed, and it’s better for hygiene overall since they provide an additional barrier between your skin and the mats. You can buy a few sets and rotate them as necessary.

3. Ankle or Knee Support

Ankle or knee supports provide extra stability for people who have had related injuries and during high-volume drilling. They’re not required for everyone, but they can be helpful for making training more comfortable, especially if certain movements hurt your knees or ankles.

FAQ

1. Do I really need all this gear when I’m just starting MMA?

Not really. Most gyms have basic equipment they loan to beginners who don’t yet have their own gear. Start with hand wraps and a mouth guard since these are very personal items, then add other equipment as your training goes along.

2. Can I use boxing gloves instead of MMA gloves at first? 

This would be a very conditional if. If your first lessons are striking-focused, they should be fine to begin with. However, MMA training usually involves clinching, grappling, and mixed drills where you need to be able to grip. Training MMA in boxing gloves can get awkward due to their size and restriction on your fingers. 

3. Should I buy cheap gear first and upgrade later?

It depends on the gear and your training plans. Will you be training only occasionally or infrequently? Cheaper brands may work for you in this case, given that their gear doesn't make you uncomfortable with weird pressure and pinch points. 

If you’re planning to train long-term, there are also budget-friendly brands like Starpro Combat that offer premium quality at a more affordable price point. 

Conclusion

There are many different types of MMA gear and it can get overwhelming at first glance, but getting started doesn’t require a full arsenal of training gear. Focus on the pieces that protect you most during drills and sparring: gloves, wraps, shin guards, a mouthguard, and a groin guard. Once those are covered, everything else can be added gradually as your training becomes more regular and focused. 

Start simple, build your kit over time, and let your training guide you on which gear you need to add next.