What to Wear and Pack for Your First Muay Thai Class
By Martial Arts Supplies Australia (MASA)
Walking into a Muay Thai gym for the first time is one of those experiences that hits differently than you expect. The bags are swinging, pads are cracking, and everyone looks like they know exactly what they're doing. You start wondering if you're wearing the right thing, if you've brought the right gear, and whether you're about to embarrass yourself in front of a room full of people who definitely won't go easy on you.
Here's the honest version: everyone in that gym started exactly where you are. The coaches have seen it a thousand times. And the fastest way to settle those nerves is to walk in prepared — knowing you've got the right gear and you're not going to be caught out.
This guide covers exactly what to wear and what to pack for your first Muay Thai class in Australia, based on what we see working (and what we see going wrong) every week at MASA.
What to Wear — The Basics
The goal of your Muay Thai clothing is simple: disappear once the round starts. No distraction, no grabbing, no slipping. You'll be kicking, kneeing, checking kicks, and eventually clinching. Anything that restricts your hips, rides up in partner drills, or holds moisture becomes a problem fast.
Shorts
Muay Thai shorts are the traditional choice and for good reason — they're cut high on the thigh with a wide leg opening specifically for high kicks, knees, and clinch movement. That shape isn't fashion. It's function.
For your first class, standard athletic shorts work fine as long as they're light, have some stretch, and — critically — have no deep pockets or zippers. Pockets become finger traps in partner drills and clinching. Basketball shorts with big side pockets are the most common mistake beginners make.
Once you've decided you're sticking with Muay Thai, proper shorts are worth buying early. They make a noticeable difference.
👉 Shop Muay Thai Shorts at MASA
For women: a stable waistband is everything once clinch starts. Your shorts need to stay locked in position through pivots, knees, and pummeling. Compression shorts under Muay Thai shorts is a common and practical setup — nobody in a serious gym thinks twice about it.
Top
A fitted training tee or rash guard style top is ideal. Loose cotton tees get heavy fast once soaked with sweat, and once drenched they cling, twist, and distract you when you're breathing hard.
In clinch, tighter is better — your partner gets a cleaner grip on your neck and arms without accidentally grabbing a handful of shirt, and you won't spend rounds adjusting.
Avoid thick seams under the armpits — they'll rub raw over a week of training. A smooth compression top solves this.
Footwear
Muay Thai is barefoot on the mat. Bring slides or slip-on sandals so you can easily step off the mat without hunting for laces. Most gyms also require flip flops or slides for the bathroom — it's basic hygiene and gym respect.
If your gym runs an outdoor warm-up before class — some have students go for a quick run first — wear your runners for that, then swap to slides once you're heading onto the mats.
What Not to Wear
- Jewellery — rings, necklaces, and bracelets scratch partners and catch in clinch
- Clothes with zippers or hard plastic — they cut skin during partner drills
- Baggy shorts with deep pockets — fingers catch, knees get blocked
- Shoes on the mat — treat the training floor as a clean space
What to Pack — First Day Checklist
✅ Hand Wraps — The One Non-Negotiable
This is the single piece of equipment you must own on day one. Most gyms have loaner gloves for trial classes — but sharing unwashed hand wraps is a genuine hygiene risk. Own your own.
Go with 180 inch wraps. The shorter 120 inch wraps don't give most adults enough material to properly protect knuckles and wrists. If you're not sure how to wrap yet, arrive 10–15 minutes early and ask the coach — they've shown it a hundred times and won't mind showing it a hundred and one.
✅ Water — A Proper One
Muay Thai is a full-body cardiovascular workout. You will sweat more in your first 45 minutes than you might in an entire week of standard gym training. Bring a large water bottle — insulated with ice water if possible. Rounds are short and water breaks are shorter. Make them count.
✅ Small Towel
A microfibre hand towel to wipe sweat between drills. Practical and considerate for your training partners.
✅ Plastic Bag or Wet Bag
You'll leave class with a soaking wet shirt and drenched hand wraps. Put them in a separate plastic or wet bag — don't throw them directly into your gym bag unless you want everything in there smelling like a changing room for the rest of the week.
✅ Slides or Flip Flops
For off the mat and the bathroom. Keeping the training surface clean is part of gym culture.
✅ Mouthguard (If There's Any Contact)
If the class includes any partner drills with contact — even "light" — bring a mouthguard. A boil-and-bite option from a chemist works for day one. One accidental clash when you're learning range is all it takes.
✅ Deodorant and a Spare Shirt
If you're heading back to work or running errands after class, you'll want these. You've been warned.
What NOT to Buy Yet
Don't rush out and spend $600 on a full kit before your first session. Here's what you can hold off on:
Boxing gloves — most reputable gyms have loaner gloves (usually 14oz or 16oz) for beginners in their trial phase. Use them for your first few sessions, then buy your own once you know you're committed. Be aware though — loaner gloves smell, and if you have any open cuts or scratches on your hands, you're taking a real risk of infection. The sooner you have your own pair, the better.
Shin guards — your first classes will focus on stance, footwork, and hitting pads or bags. You won't be checking hard kicks immediately, so shin guards aren't urgent on day one. Once you start drilling kicks on a partner, that changes fast. Same hygiene warning applies to gym loaners — they've been on a lot of sweaty legs. If you have any broken skin on your shins, don't risk shared guards.
Full kit — you don't need everything at once. Build your kit as you go. The one exception is hand wraps — buy those before you walk in.
As You Progress — What to Add
Once you're training consistently, here's the order we'd suggest building your kit:
- Boxing gloves — your own pair, properly fitted, once you're past the loaner phase
- Shin guards — as soon as partner kick drilling starts
- Muay Thai shorts — makes a real difference to kicking mechanics
- Mouthguard (custom) — worth the dentist investment once you're sparring regularly
- Groin protection — for men especially, once contact sparring begins
👉 Shop the full Muay Thai and MMA range at MASA
First Day Tips
Arrive 10–15 minutes early. You'll need to fill out a waiver, meet the coach, check out the facility, and — most importantly — have someone show you how to wrap your hands properly. Don't skip this.
Ask questions. Good coaches want beginners to understand what they're doing and why. If you're unsure about anything, ask before class rather than guessing mid-round.
Work at your own pace. Nobody expects you to be good on day one. The people who stick with Muay Thai are the ones who show up consistently and stay humble early on — not the ones who try to go hard in the first session and injure themselves.
Trim your toenails. This sounds minor but it's genuine gym respect. Muay Thai is barefoot, and partner drills involve feet getting close. Long toenails scratch shins and tear training gear.
Tie your hair up securely. Loose hair gets pulled in clinch, blocks your vision, and becomes a hygiene issue when it's soaked. Use a band that stays put when you move.
Quick Reference Checklist
| Pack This | Leave at Home |
|---|---|
| ✅ 180 inch hand wraps | ❌ Shoes on the training mat (it's barefoot) |
| ✅ Large water bottle | ❌ Shorts with zippers or deep pockets |
| ✅ Small towel | ❌ Full gear kit (use loaners first) |
| ✅ Wet bag for sweaty clothes | ❌ Jewellery or watches |
| ✅ Slides or flip flops | ❌ Loose cotton tee (goes heavy fast) |
| ✅ Mouthguard (if contact) | ❌ Expensive gloves before day one |
| ✅ Deodorant and spare shirt |
Ready to Find Your Gym?
Once you know what to wear and what to pack, the next step is finding the right Muay Thai gym for you — because not all gyms are the same, and the environment you train in matters as much as the gear you bring.
👉 Coming soon: How to Choose the Right Muay Thai Gym in Australia — what to look for, what to ask, and the red flags that tell you to walk away.
Shop First Class Essentials at MASA
👉 Hand Wraps — from $25+ 👉 Muay Thai Shorts 👉 Boxing Gloves 👉 Shin Guards
Flat rate shipping across Australia ($10) and New Zealand ($30). Afterpay and Zip Pay available.
Related Guides
- MMA Gear Australia — The Complete Beginner's Guide
- Best Gloves for Muay Thai Training in Australia
- 120 vs 180 Hand Wraps — Which Length Should You Buy?
- Why Quality Gear Matters More When You Train Hard
- How to Clean and Look After Your Boxing Gloves
Martial Arts Supplies Australia (MASA) — 23 Pearson Way, Osborne Park 6017 | info@masupplies.com.au | 0456 404 279 Flat rate shipping Australia $10 | New Zealand $30