Outfit: Hayabusa Crossback Sports Bra ($55). Hayabusa Quick Gel Hand Wraps ($25). Hayabusa T360 Boxing Gloves ($189). New Balance Sleek Pocket High Rise Legging 25" ($90). Forme Ankle Guard Sock ($35). Nike Free Metcon 6 Workout Shoes ($125).
When it comes to gear testing, Rumble Boxing stands out as an optimal class because gloves and wraps are involved. I was lucky enough to chat with the instructor of my very first class, Stephanie Raphael, who suggested Hayabusa as a client favorite. "For Rumble Boxing in Jersey City [my chosen location], clients love gear that lets them move freely and feel confident. A go-to outfit is high-waisted leggings or biker shorts paired with a sports bra or crop top — bonus points for bold prints, bright colors, or empowering slogans. Sometimes, members will layer with a light zip-up/hoodie, but it's usually ditched once the warm-up kicks in," she says. 10 minutes in, it's easy to see why — the 10-round, 45-minute class starts with a cardio-focused warm-up and stretching before a segment that's evenly divided between two styles of training: boxing drills and resistance work with weights. Needless to say, I was sweating almost instantly.
While I took Raphael's tip down to the sneakers — in fact, she suggested the Nike Metcons I showed up wearing, and even selected her go-to type of legging: soft and high-waisted with pockets — I also chose to test out a Hayabusa sports bra, which is fitted close to the body and has a crossback design for maximum support. It's breathable, with a waffle mesh panel at the neckline for ventilation, and made with sweat-wicking materials. It was probably my favorite item out of the set, teamed with the gel wraps that provided knuckle protection and were ultra flexible and soft and T360 gloves in the 10-ounce weight, which have a triple-splint design to stabilize the wrist with every punch.
Because the workout involves six punches and plenty of dynamic movement, I also wore my Forme ankle guard socks to keep my feet properly positioned. "One of the biggest concerns is wearing running shoes with too much cushion," Raphael says, explaining, "They're built for forward motion, not lateral movement, and can mess with balance during footwork." So, while you may think it most important to invest in the upper-body gear (which you can rent at Rumble, BTW), it's crucial to wear something that makes you feel strong and confident from head to toe. Now, I can personally recommend Hayabusa as a great option for starters.
