You do not need any Muay Thai gear for your first class. Khao Noi Gym provides loaner gloves and shin guards for first-timers, and you can train your first month in basic athletic clothes. This guide covers what to wear, what to bring, what the gym provides, and what to buy later once you decide to commit.
What to wear to your first class
Standard athletic wear works. Specifically:
- Athletic shorts or leggings. Anything you can move and sweat in. Knee-length athletic shorts are the easiest. Compression leggings are fine too.
- A breathable top. A regular t-shirt, dri-fit shirt, or fitted tank top. Avoid baggy shirts that can get caught.
- A sports bra for women. Medium to high support depending on your preference.
- Underwear you can sweat in. Compression underwear or athletic boxers if you usually train in regular underwear, since regular underwear gets uncomfortable fast.
What not to wear
- Jewellery. Take off necklaces, watches, rings, and earrings. They scratch, catch, and break. Smartwatches must come off before pad work.
- Heavy makeup. It will run within five minutes of warm-up.
- Jeans, button-up shirts, or anything with hard buttons or zippers. Bad for movement, bad for partners.
- Wool or thick cotton hoodies. You will overheat in Singapore's humidity.
- Brand new gloves you have not tested. Borrow loaners for the first class and buy your own after you decide to commit.
What to bring
A short list:
- Water bottle. A big one. You will sweat heavily, especially in Singapore.
- A small towel. For wiping sweat and drying off after class.
- A second t-shirt or top. Your first one will be soaked. A dry one for the trip home is a small luxury that beginners appreciate.
- Deodorant. Considerate to partners.
- Hair tie if your hair is long. Loose hair gets caught in everything.
- Cash or card if you have not paid yet. Some gyms collect trial fees in person.
What the gym provides
Khao Noi Gym provides for first-timers:
- Loaner gloves. Standard 10 to 14 ounce training gloves in a range of sizes.
- Loaner shin guards. For when the class introduces kicks.
- Towels (if needed, though bringing your own is preferred).
- Drinking water. We have refill stations.
What to buy after you commit
Once you have decided to keep training, gear becomes worth investing in. We recommend buying in this order:
Within the first month
Hand wraps. Around SGD 15 to 25. These protect your wrists and knuckles inside the glove. Standard wraps are 180 inches or 4.5 metres long. Mexican-style elasticised wraps are slightly more comfortable.
Your own gloves. Around SGD 80 to 250 depending on brand and quality. For training, 14 to 16 oz is standard for most adults. Lighter glove brands include Twins, Fairtex, Yokkao, and Top King. All are widely available in Singapore. Try them on before buying because hand shapes differ.
Within the first three months
Shin guards. Around SGD 60 to 150. Necessary once you start partner kick drills regularly. Cloth-style shin guards are popular for technique work. Leather or PU ones are more durable but stiffer at first.
A mouthguard. Around SGD 10 to 30. Required when you start sparring. Even before sparring, some people prefer one for accidental contact during clinch drills. Boil-and-bite types from a sports store work fine for beginners.
Optional later additions
- Muay Thai shorts. SGD 30 to 80. Wider cut for kicking. Not necessary, but feel better than regular athletic shorts once you have them.
- Skipping rope. SGD 15 to 30. Useful if you want to warm up at home or before class.
- Ankle supports. SGD 10 to 25. Some people use them to reduce friction on the ankle bone during heavy kicking sessions.
- Heavy bag for home. Not necessary for at least the first six months.
What to skip
A few things beginners are tempted to buy that they do not need:
- High-end fight shorts before they fit. Buy SGD 30 shorts first. Upgrade later if you stay.
- Custom-made gloves. Off-the-shelf works fine. Custom is for people who fight and have a strong preference.
- A full set of training gear in week one. Many beginners spend SGD 400 on gear and quit within two months. Spread purchases out as you commit.
- Branded apparel. Save your money for actual training equipment.
How to break in new gear
New gloves feel stiff for the first few sessions. Wear them for a full class to soften the foam. Avoid soaking, which damages them.
New shin guards feel awkward and slide around at first. Wear them with longer socks underneath if they pinch your skin.
New hand wraps are easy. Watch a YouTube tutorial on basic wrapping once. After your third wrap, it becomes automatic. The coach at KNG will also show you on request.
Hygiene basics
A few things worth knowing because they affect your partners:
- Shower before class if you can, especially after a workday.
- Wash gear regularly. Gloves can be deodorised with charcoal pouches. Wraps go in the laundry.
- Trim your fingernails and toenails before class. Long nails scratch partners during clinch drills.
- Cover open cuts with a plaster or kinesio tape.
- Tell the coach if you are sick. Cancel and rebook. Everyone will thank you.
Singapore-specific notes
A few things that matter in Singapore's climate:
- Humidity is a factor. You will sweat more than you would in cooler climates. Drink more water than you think, before and after class.
- Air conditioning levels vary. Most gyms in Singapore including KNG have AC in the training area, but it is not enough to make sweat irrelevant. Plan to be wet.
- Public transport home in soaked clothes is unpleasant. Plan a change of clothes if you commute by MRT.
- Gloves degrade faster in humidity. Air-dry them after every class. Do not leave them sealed in your gym bag overnight, ever.
A short checklist for your first class
Print or screenshot this:
- Athletic shorts or leggings
- T-shirt or tank top
- Sports bra (if needed)
- Hair tied back
- No jewellery
- Water bottle (big one)
- Small towel
- Spare t-shirt
- Deodorant
- Cash or card if needed
Book a trial class at Khao Noi Gym and start with whatever you have at home. You will not need anything else for your first session.
