Boxing for Kids Beginner Guide

FightCamp Boxing for Kids - Youth Boxing Training

Boxing is great for kids! Here’s all the info you need to get kids boxing at home: what age kids start boxing, kids boxing equipment, and kids boxing training.

Published: January 12, 2021

Topics: Family Fitness, Wellness

Author: Tommy Duquette

Why Consider Youth Boxing?

Keeping kids physically active is more difficult – and more important – than ever and youth boxing training is one of the most engaging, enjoyable activities that will ignite your kid’s love of exercise. Youth boxing classes offer an unbeatable workout while teaching kids about discipline, persistence, and hard work, all without ever being boring.

What Is Youth Boxing?

Youth boxing training is boxing training for kids generally ages seven to seventeen, and is designed to be an introduction to boxing as well as a guide for advancing boxing skills. Boxing for kids, much like beginner boxing for adults, teaches the fundamentals of boxing training for youth such as correct fighting stances and basic punches, while providing boxing tips for kids who want to take their training to the next level.

What Age Can Kids Start Youth Boxing Training?

If a child shows interest in boxing, it's usually not too early to start youth boxing lessons. That said, hitting a bag requires a certain degree of strength and coordination that isn’t achievable until around seven years old. You also aren’t likely to find boxing gloves small enough to fit a child much younger. Shadowboxing is always an option for younger kids that can’t find a small enough set of gloves.

How Do You Start Boxing?

You start youth boxing lessons by learning the fundamentals of boxing training. This is something that can be done with no equipment at home. There are excellent resources online that provide training from real professional boxers (Learn To Box Online).

How Do Kids Get Into Boxing?

Kids often get into boxing in the same way they get into anything else – by watching adults. Maybe they were mesmerized by a pro fight they saw on TV, or maybe they saw their mom or dad unleash some insanely cool combos on the punching bag at home.

If a parent starts an at-home boxing program, it’s likely their child will want to mimic all those impressive moves. Parents and children learning boxing together can be a great opportunity to bond over something truly fun and healthy.

How Do Kids Start Boxing?

Kids can start boxing by practicing basic boxing drills at home (The Beginner’s Guide To Boxing At Home). This is also a great way to be sure they are interested in making the commitment to boxing before investing in any boxing gear.

Kids boxing training follows the same principles as adult beginner boxing training – it starts with learning stances and basic punches. If kids test out some different training methods like shadowboxing drills and find out they really enjoy it, it’s time to look into some in-home boxing equipment.

What Equipment Do Kids Need To Start Boxing?

Boxing for kids requires much of the same equipment adults use, just with significantly smaller measurements.

Here’s a look at some of the basic kids boxing equipment to consider:

Kids Boxing Gloves & Wraps

Youth boxing training and beginner boxers of any age need to use hand wraps and boxing gloves to protect their hands and wrists. Kids hand wraps are slightly smaller and shorter to accommodate smaller hands, while kids boxing gloves are the same design as adults’ gloves on a different scale. They are categorized by weight just like adult boxing gloves – though they are much lighter and usually between 4 and 8 ounces.

Kids' Boxing Bag

There are pros and cons to different types of punching bags, but in kids boxing, a hanging heavy bag is generally too tall and too unwieldy for beginners. A standing bag that sits low on the base is more stable with more punching surface, making it perfect for youth boxing classes and boxers of all ages and heights.

Kids Boxing Shoes

Boxing shoes aren’t required for beginners, but they definitely have advantages. Kids boxing shoes will provide more ankle support and better grip, making them a great safety precaution for wary parents as well as an asset to their youth boxing classes.

Making Exercise Fun

Youth boxing lessons are a safe, fun way to keep children engaged in physical activity while teaching valuable lessons in dedication and discipline. Boxing for youth is perhaps the best way for kids to exert their energy in a productive way that they will enjoy.

Train with FightCamp! We make it easy to get started with boxing and kickboxing training for beginner boxers of any age. FightCamp has everything you need to work out on your schedule, with premium boxing equipment and hundreds of on-demand strength, conditioning, kickboxing, boxing, core, and recovery classes led by real fighters. As Mike Tyson said - “FightCamp is the next level of training!”

Tommy Duquette

Tommy Duquette is a Co-Founder and Head of Content at FightCamp. He is a former US Boxing Team member with 136 fights under his belt & qualified #2 seed for the 2012 Olympic trials. Tommy is USA Boxing Coach certified.

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