The short answer
You can start with almost nothing: shorts, a T-shirt, water, a towel and a willingness to be barefoot. Buy kit in stages as the gym asks for it, and ask the coach before you spend. This page is a checklist; for product picks and prices see Muay Thai for beginners (UK) and the beginner kit under £50 page.
What UK gyms say about kit (their own pages, read 2 Oct 2026)
| Gym | What the page says |
|---|---|
| Diesel Gym (Stratford) | New members need a pair of 14oz or above boxing gloves to start (also sold at reception), ideally with a mouth guard, groin guard and hand wraps |
| TKO Gym (Manchester) | Bring water, gloves and shin pads if you have them |
| Karova Muay Thai (Islington) | Equipment is provided |
| 8 Limbs (Birmingham) | Sparring kit is needed from the yellow band |
Four gyms, four policies. That is the point: ask before you buy.
Stage 1: day one
- ☐ Shorts you can kick in (loose gym shorts are fine)
- ☐ T-shirt or vest
- ☐ Water bottle and a small towel
- ☐ Flip-flops for walking around (training is barefoot on mats)
- ☐ Hand wraps, if you have them (or ask whether the gym sells or lends them)
- ☐ Remove jewellery, keep nails short
- ☐ Tell the coach about injuries or health conditions
Source: Atlas guide "Muay Thai for beginners (UK)", updated 28 Sep 2026 (editorial guidance; Kru review pending).
Stage 2: first month
- ☐ Hand wraps. See how to wrap your hands. The Atlas guide gives 4.5 m as the common adult length.
- ☐ Gloves. If you will ever spar, most UK gyms ask for 16oz (Atlas guide, rule of thumb). Use the glove size calculator and the oz guide.
- ☐ Gum shield (mouthguard). The glossary says it is mandatory in all competition.
- ☐ Optional: Thai shorts.
Stage 3: when sparring starts
Ask the coach exactly what is required. Typical items are:
- ☐ 16oz gloves (heavier members are sometimes asked for 18oz)
- ☐ Mouthguard
- ☐ Shin guards
- ☐ Groin guard (the glossary notes Thai fighters favour a hard steel cup tied at the hips; any suitable guard may do for training; ask your coach)
- ☐ Elbow pads or head guard only if your gym asks for them (the glossary says elbow pads are used in some gyms for sparring)
Before your first spar, read your first sparring session.
Stage 4: amateur competition kit (IFMA rules)
The IFMA Rules and Regulations (v3.057, revised 11 May 2026) require: competition gloves of 10 oz (284 g), hand wraps no longer than 5 m by 5 cm, and a head guard, shin guards and elbow guards. Gloves and protective kit are often supplied or specified by the organiser, so check the show's rules. UK interclub shows may set their own kit rules. See muay thai rules and rounds and from interclub to first fight.
What you do not need yet
Branded bags, boxing boots, a gum shield fitted by a dentist, a skipping rope, a shin guard for every drill. If a gym or coach asks for something specific, buy that. Otherwise wait.
Sources and dates
- Atlas guide: Muay Thai for beginners (UK) · first-class kit and purchase order (Atlas editorial, updated 28 Sep 2026) · read 2 Oct 2026
- Atlas guide: What oz gloves for Muay Thai? · 16oz for sparring, gym rules of thumb · read 2 Oct 2026
- Diesel Gym: timetables and prices · 14oz-or-above gloves to start, mouthguard, groin guard, handwraps · read 2 Oct 2026
- TKO Gym Manchester · bring water, gloves and shin pads if you have them · read 2 Oct 2026
- Karova Muay Thai · equipment provided · read 2 Oct 2026
- 8 Limbs Birmingham: FAQ · sparring kit from yellow band · read 2 Oct 2026
- IFMA Rules and Regulations v3.057 (11 May 2026) · gloves 10oz, wraps, head guard, shin guards, elbow guards · read 2 Oct 2026
- Atlas glossary: hand wraps, shin guards, mouthguard, groin guard, head guard, elbow pads, Thai shorts · definitions with their own sources · read 2 Oct 2026
FAQs
What do I need for my first Muay Thai class?
Usually only shorts you can kick in, a T-shirt, water and a towel, and bare feet on the mats. Many gyms lend gloves and pads for a first session, but some do not, so ask when you book. Diesel Gym's page, for example, says new members need a pair of 14oz or above boxing gloves to start, while Karova says equipment is provided.
When do I need shin guards?
When your gym starts partner kicking drills or sparring. Ask your coach before you buy. 8 Limbs Birmingham's FAQ says sparring kit is needed from the yellow band.
What kit is required for amateur competition?
The IFMA rules (v3.057, revised 11 May 2026) require 10oz competition gloves, hand wraps no longer than 5 m by 5 cm, and a head guard, shin guards and elbow guards. Our rules page lists the detail. Local interclub shows may set their own kit rules, so check with the organiser.
Do I need Thai shorts?
No. Loose gym shorts you can kick in are fine at the start. The Atlas glossary describes Thai shorts as short, wide-legged satin shorts with a high slit for kicking, usually carrying the camp name, and they are optional until you want them.
How much will kit cost?
We do not quote a price here because prices change. See our beginner kit under £50 page for dated examples, and always check the retailer.