Martial Arts Starter Kit: What to Buy for Your First 3 Months in Australia
Starting martial arts means buying gear before you know exactly what you need. The risk is spending too much too soon, or buying the wrong things entirely. This guide gives you a practical starter kit for the first three months of training in Australia, with recommended products at each budget level and a clear order of priority.
In this article
- What to buy before your first class
- What to buy in your first month
- What to add after three months
- Starter kit budget guide
- Frequently asked questions
What to buy before your first class
Two items. That is all. A mouthguard and a groin guard (for male fighters) are the non-negotiables for day one. Most gyms supply or loan boxing gloves for trial classes. Arrive in comfortable athletic clothing, long shorts or compression pants and a fitted t-shirt or rashguard if you have one.
Do not buy a full kit before your first class. Gear preferences develop quickly once you are training. The shorts you like the look of online may not suit the way your gym trains. The gloves a friend recommended may not fit your hand size. Attend two to three classes before spending on the full kit.
What to buy in your first month
Once you have committed to a gym and have a consistent training schedule, four items complete the core kit:
- Boxing gloves: 16 oz for sparring, 12 oz for bag and pad work. The single most important purchase.
- Rashguard: compulsory at most gyms, essential for hygiene and mat protection.
- MMA shorts: if your gym trains MMA or Sambo specifically, shorts with side slits and dual closure.
- Shin guards: required once sparring begins. Do not wait: some gyms introduce contact sparring in the first month.
Reliable entry-level construction for bag work and early sparring. A practical first-month purchase at an accessible price.
FIAS competition-grade construction. The right rashguard investment from the first month. Available exclusively through Sambo Store Australasia.
What to add after three months
Three months of consistent training gives you a clear picture of your discipline focus and training frequency. At this point, targeted upgrades make sense:
- MMA open-finger gloves: if your gym does significant grappling or MMA sparring rounds.
- MMA shorts upgrade: if you are training Sambo, BJJ or MMA regularly. Green Hill shorts are the choice for practitioners wanting professional-grade apparel.
- Second pair of gloves: keeps one pair for bag work and one for sparring, extending the lifespan of both.
- Headgear: required at most gyms once full-contact sparring begins.
Open-finger design for grappling and MMA sparring. A practical three-month upgrade from boxing gloves.
Professional-level MMA shorts used internationally. The three-month upgrade for serious practitioners.
Full coverage shin and instep protection. The right upgrade once sparring frequency increases.
Starter kit budget guide
| Stage | Items | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Before first class | Mouthguard + groin guard | $30 to $60 |
| First month | Boxing gloves, rashguard, MMA shorts, shin guards | $250 to $450 |
| Three months | MMA gloves, upgraded shorts, headgear | $200 to $400 |
| Full kit total | All of the above | $480 to $910 |
Frequently asked questions
How much should I spend on my first martial arts kit in Australia?
A practical first-month kit covering boxing gloves, rashguard, shorts and shin guards costs between $250 and $450 for mid-range gear. Do not spend at the premium level until you have three months of consistent training behind you.
Can I use football or rugby shorts for MMA training?
For the first trial class, yes. For ongoing training, no. MMA shorts have high side slits and a specific waistband closure that standard sports shorts do not have. The restriction becomes immediately obvious once kicking or grappling begins.
Do I need brand-name gear to start martial arts?
No. Established mid-range brands like Morgan Sports and RDX provide reliable gear at accessible prices. The priority in the first three months is consistency of training, not premium equipment.
What is the difference between a BJJ rashguard and an MMA rashguard?
Construction is similar. BJJ rashguards often have shorter cuts and more specific IBJJF colour rules for competition. MMA rashguards prioritise durability under striking friction. For general training, either works. The Green Hill MMA rashguard is built for the demands of both disciplines.
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