Nobody remembers what you wore to your first Muay Thai class. They remember whether you came back.
Still, the night before, everyone wonders the same thing: what do I wear, and what do I need to buy? The honest answer is less than you think. Here's what actually matters for your first session, from someone who trains Muay Thai every week.
THE SHORT VERSION
- A breathable T-shirt that sits close to your body
- Shorts you can kick in, or leggings
- Bare feet on the mat, slippers to walk in
- Hand wraps if you have them, gloves if the gym doesn't lend them
- Water, a towel and a dry shirt for after
ON TOP: A SHIRT THAT STAYS OUT OF THE WAY
Most classes start with rope skipping or shadowboxing, then move to pads with a partner and often some clinch work. A baggy cotton shirt is soaked after ten minutes and gets in the way when someone grabs your neck. A loose tank top slides around in the clinch.
What works is a T-shirt that fits close without squeezing, in a fabric that dries fast. That's exactly why we made the Founders Tee Performance in lightweight polyester. If you also grapple, or you want something heavier for clinch work, the Heavyweight version is built for that. More on the difference in Gym Clothes vs. Fight Clothes.
BELOW: ROOM TO KICK
Muay Thai shorts are cut wide for a reason: you'll bring your knee up to your chest and throw kicks above your waist. For a first class, any loose training shorts without zippers or pockets will do. Leggings work too, as long as you can lift your knee without fighting the fabric. Skip anything with a belt, a zipper or tight seams around the knee.
FEET AND HANDS
Muay Thai is trained barefoot on the mat. Bring slippers to walk around in, keep your feet clean and your nails short. Your training partners will thank you.
For your hands, hand wraps protect your wrists and knuckles and don't cost much, so buy a pair if you can. Many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so ask before you buy. When you do buy, coaches usually recommend somewhere between 12 and 16 oz depending on your weight. Ask yours which one fits you.
WHAT YOU CAN SKIP FOR NOW
Shin guards, a mouthguard, headgear and your own Thai shorts can all wait until you know you're staying. In most gyms you won't spar in your first class, and your coach will tell you when you need more gear. Spend your first euros on wraps, not on a full kit.
BRING THIS TOO
- A water bottle. You'll need more than you think.
- A towel and a dry shirt for after.
- A hair tie if you have long hair.
Leave jewelry and watches at home or in your bag. They don't belong on the pads, or in someone's face.
THE PART THAT ACTUALLY MATTERS
Get there ten minutes early, tell the coach it's your first time, and don't try to win the warm-up. Everyone in that room had a first class too. Your outfit only has to stay out of the way while you figure out the rest.
Not sure about your size? Check our sizing guide, or see the full collection.