Training on a heavy bag can help you learn how to punch with power.

Image Credit: Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images If you want to start boxing, you need access to the right equipment. You don’t have to own everything yourself, but you need a gym that has access to the right kind of equipment to train with. You are best off joining a gym and signing up with a trainer who can teach you the ins and outs of boxing.

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Boxing Gloves
   
Boxer glove and opponent

Image Credit: VanessaPaezG/iStock/Getty Images If you are serious about boxing you will need two pairs of boxing gloves. One is a light pair of bag gloves – 10 oz. or less – that you will use to hit the speed bag and the heavy bag. However, when you get in the ring to spar or box with an opponent, you need full-size gloves that are 14 to 16 ozs. Boxing gloves cushion the hand during the punching process and will often keep you from getting injured. If you throw a solid punch at an awkward angle you could damage your fist. That’s why the cushioning of the boxing glove is needed. Hand wraps, to be worn underneath the gloves for support, are also essential for protection.

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Boxing Ring
   
Boxing ring, close-up

Image Credit: Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images In order tTo truly learn your sport, you have to be able to get in the ring against an opponent. The only place this is going to happen is if you belong to a gym that a boxing ring to spar with an opponent. The ring will be somewhere between 16 feet by 16 feet and 24 feet by 24 feet. A ring is the right place to test yourself to see if you have learned your skills.

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Speed Bag
   
Man hitting bag

Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images The speed bag is one of the oldest boxing tools and it helps a boxer learn how to throw punches with speed, accuracy and agility. To learn how to throw punches at angles that can hurt your opponent, use a speed bag to hone your skills. Hitting the speed bag also helps your endurance and quickness.

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Heavy Bag
   
Woman punching heavy bag

Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images Throwing power punches on the heavy bag is a different skill than learning how to throw quick punches on the speed bag. Power punches are not the result of being able to lift heavy weights and having a strong chest and arms. Power punches are thrown with your entire body. You want to use your lower body, core muscles and upper body to throw power punches, and the heavy bag will help you.

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Protective Equipment
   
Boxing headguards

Image Credit: Image Source Pink/Image Source/Getty Images Before you get in the ring you will need protective head gear, a mouth guard, hand wraps, a supporter and cup, and boxing shoes. The head gear is used by all fighters during training and amateur fighters during bouts. All fighters use mouth guards, which protect the mouth and teeth from hard punches and help prevent mouth lacerations and broken teeth. The protective supporter and cup prevent injuries to the reproductive organs while the boxing shoes help fighters move smoothly in the ring without turning or injuring their ankles.

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  references
  
      RossTraining.com: Heavy Bag Hitting
    
      Boxinggyms.com: Build Your Own Boxing Ring
       




  references
  
      RossTraining.com: Heavy Bag Hitting
    
      Boxinggyms.com: Build Your Own Boxing Ring
    




Training on a heavy bag can help you learn how to punch with power.

Image Credit: Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images

Image Credit: Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images

Boxer glove and opponent

Image Credit: VanessaPaezG/iStock/Getty Images

Image Credit: VanessaPaezG/iStock/Getty Images

Boxing ring, close-up

Image Credit: Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images

Man hitting bag

Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images

Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images

Woman punching heavy bag

Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Boxing headguards

Image Credit: Image Source Pink/Image Source/Getty Images

Image Credit: Image Source Pink/Image Source/Getty Images

      RossTraining.com: Heavy Bag Hitting
    
      Boxinggyms.com: Build Your Own Boxing Ring