Tag

#beginner

45 posts

Training

Amateur vs Professional Boxing: What Actually Changes

Three rounds or twelve, headguards, glove sizes, what judges reward, how the referee steps in, how careers and purses work, and which a beginner should choose.

9 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

The Best Martial Art for Self-Defence: An Honest Ranking

No single art wins a street fight. An honest ranking of ten martial arts for self-defence by what actually matters: pressure-testing, speed and range.

9 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

Judo Scoring Explained: Ippon, Waza-ari, Shido and Golden Score

How a judo match is won: ippon, waza-ari, the 20-second hold, three shido, golden score and the referee's signals, under IJF rules as of 2026.

8 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

MMA Weight Classes Explained: UFC, ONE and Amateur

All MMA weight classes in lb and kg: the Unified Rules list, what the UFC uses, ONE's no-weight-cut system, IMMAF amateur classes and how to pick yours.

9 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

How to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing (Step by Step)

The 180-inch Mexican-style wrap most gyms teach, in ten steps: what each turn protects, how tight is right, and the four mistakes that undo it by round three.

8 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

Taekwondo Scoring Explained: Points, PSS and Gam-jeom

How Olympic taekwondo is scored: one to five points per technique, the electronic hogu and socks, gam-jeom penalties, round formats and how ITF differs.

7 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

Boxing Weight Classes Explained (Pro, Amateur and Muay Thai)

All 17 pro divisions in lb and kg, the WBC's bridgerweight, why junior and super mean the same thing, the Olympic classes as of 2026, and how to pick yours.

9 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

How Long Does It Take to Get a Black Belt in BJJ?

Usually eight to twelve years. The IBJJF minimums per belt, the children's colours, what speeds the road up or slows it down, and why nobody good is counting.

7 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

How to Break In Boxing Gloves Without Ruining Them

Which gloves need breaking in and for how long, the five methods that work, the four that destroy padding, and why a sparring glove never meets the heavy bag.

8 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

How Long Does It Take to Get a Black Belt in Karate?

Typically three to five years to shodan. How kyu and dan grades work, why belt colours differ by style, what shodan really means, and the dan grades after.

7 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

MMA Rules Explained: What Is Legal, What Is Illegal, How Fights Are Judged

The Unified Rules of MMA in plain English: rounds, gloves, ways to win, the 10-point must system, every foul, and how ONE, PRIDE and amateur rules differ.

10 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

Karate Kumite Scoring Explained: WKF Points and Kyokushin Knockdown

How karate fights are scored: WKF yuko, waza-ari and ippon, senshu and the eight-point lead, penalties, Kyokushin knockdown rules and JKA ippon shobu.

8 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

How to Clean Boxing Gloves and Hand Wraps (and Stop the Smell)

Gloves never go in the machine, wraps never go in loose: how to clean and dry both, wash dark wraps without dyeing your socks, and stop the smell for good.

7 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

The Best Martial Arts for Kids, by Age and Temperament

Which martial art suits your child? A guide by age and temperament: judo, BJJ, karate, taekwondo, wrestling and boxing, plus how to judge a club.

8 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

How Boxing Is Scored: The 10-Point Must System Explained

Ten to the round's winner, nine or fewer to the loser. What judges weigh, knockdowns, deductions, split decisions and why controversial cards still happen.

8 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

How Long Does It Take to Get a Black Belt in Taekwondo?

Typically three to four years to first dan. Kukkiwon geup and dan, poom for under-15s, ITF differences, the waiting years between dan grades, and a belt table.

7 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Gear

The Beginner Boxing Starter Kit Under $150

Two kits from 100,000 buyer reviews: a $50 kit for the first months and a $75 kit that lasts the year, plus what to buy later and what to skip entirely.

8 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Gear

The Best Boxing Hand Wraps (and the Quick Wraps Worth Buying)

Nine wraps ranked from 90,000 buyer reviews: the cloth wrap that survives the wash, the $9 one everybody owns, the only quick wrap that fits, and two to avoid.

10 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Gear

Are Everlast Boxing Gloves Still Good? What the Reviews Say in 2026

Everlast is the name everyone knows. What the reviews of the Elite 2, Powerlock 2 and EverGel say in 2026, what still works, and what to buy instead.

9 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Gear

Venum vs Hayabusa Boxing Gloves: Elite, S4 or T3?

Venum Elite, Hayabusa S4 or Hayabusa T3? Fit decides it: the Elite runs narrow, the S4 runs small, the T3 runs roomy. Which one suits your hands and budget.

8 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Gear

The Best Boxing Gloves Under $50 (Ranked by 60,000 Reviews)

Four cheap gloves ranked from 60,000 buyer reviews: the $43 pair that lasts, the $25 default, the one under $20 worth owning, and three best sellers to skip.

10 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Gear

Quick Wraps vs Hand Wraps: What 40,000 Reviews Say

Half the best-selling hand wraps are gel quick wraps. What 40,000 reviews say about fit, wrist support and how long each type lasts, and which to train in.

10 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Comparison

BJJ vs Muay Thai: Which Should You Train?

Eight limbs standing or a fight on the floor? BJJ and Muay Thai compared on training, fitness, injuries, self-defence, time to competence, cost and MMA.

8 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Comparison

Karate vs MMA: Which Should You Train?

Belts, kata and point fighting or full contact at every range? Karate and MMA compared on training, kids, fitness, injuries, cost and self-defence.

8 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Comparison

BJJ vs Karate: Which Should You Train?

Rolling on the floor every night or lines, kata and point sparring? BJJ and karate compared on belts, kids, fitness, injuries, self-defence, cost and culture.

7 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Comparison

Muay Thai vs MMA: Which Should You Train?

Eight limbs at depth or every range at once? Muay Thai and MMA compared on training, the clinch, fitness, injuries, cost and self-defence, and which to start.

8 min read · 21 Sept 2026

Training

The Muay Thai Roundhouse Kick: Six Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Kicking with the foot, no pivot, no hip, a chambered knee, a dropped hand: six mistakes that turn the hardest strike in stand-up into a slap, and the fix.

8 min read · 20 Sept 2026

Training

Seven Common Muay Thai Beginner Mistakes – and How to Fix Them

A boxing stance in a kicking sport, no check, a lazy teep, hands down in the clinch: seven mistakes Thai trainers correct in every beginner, each with a drill.

8 min read · 20 Sept 2026

Training

Seven Sparring Mistakes Beginners Make – and How to Spar Well Instead

Going too hard, trying to win, holding your breath, closing your eyes, always retreating: seven sparring mistakes that stop beginners learning, and their fixes.

7 min read · 20 Sept 2026

Training

Seven Common Boxing Mistakes Beginners Make – and How to Fix Each One

Dropped hands, crossed feet, held breath, loaded punches: the seven mistakes every coach sees in every beginner, why your body insists on them, and the fix.

9 min read · 20 Sept 2026

Training

Eight BJJ White Belt Mistakes That Slow Everyone Down

Strength over position, tapping late, collecting techniques, only rolling with weaker partners: eight habits that stretch the white belt year, and the fix.

8 min read · 20 Sept 2026

Comparison

Kendo vs Fencing: Two Sword Arts Compared

The bamboo sword and the épée: weapons, targets, scoring, training culture, cost and purpose compared, and which sword sport to take up.

6 min read · 20 Sept 2026

Comparison

Aikido vs Judo: Which Japanese Art Should You Learn?

Two arts from the same jujutsu root, one with competition and one without: technique, training, effectiveness, injuries and purpose compared, which to choose.

5 min read · 20 Sept 2026

Comparison

Kickboxing vs Boxing for Fitness and Fighting: Which Should You Pick?

Hands only or hands and feet? Fitness, weight loss, learning curve, injuries, cost, self-defence and competition compared, and which one suits your goals.

6 min read · 20 Sept 2026

Comparison

Karate vs Taekwondo: Which Is Right for You (or Your Child)?

Hands and stances versus fast, high kicks: how karate and taekwondo differ in technique, rules, belts, cost and fitness, and which suits adults and children.

7 min read · 20 Sept 2026

Comparison

Muay Thai vs Kickboxing: What Is the Difference?

Elbows, knees and the clinch versus faster hands and feet: rules, style, fitness, injuries and cost compared, and which one to choose.

7 min read · 20 Sept 2026

Comparison

Kung Fu vs Karate: What Is the Difference and Which Should You Learn?

Hundreds of Chinese styles versus one codified Japanese art: origin, technique, sparring, belts and access compared, and which one to choose.

6 min read · 20 Sept 2026

Comparison

BJJ vs Judo: Which Should You Learn?

Judo throws, BJJ finishes on the ground. What each trains, how they differ in rules, cost, injuries and time to competence, and which to pick for your goals.

9 min read · 20 Sept 2026

Comparison

Krav Maga vs MMA for Self-Defence: An Honest Comparison

Krav Maga trains for the street, MMA for the cage – which works when it matters? Sparring, weapons, fitness, cost and the honest verdict for self-defence.

7 min read · 20 Sept 2026

Comparison

Boxing vs MMA: Which Should You Train?

One art mastered or four combined? How boxing and MMA differ in what they teach, training, fitness, injuries, cost and self-defence, and which to start with.

6 min read · 20 Sept 2026

Comparison

Boxing vs Muay Thai: Which Should You Train?

Two limbs mastered versus eight limbs used: technique, footwork, fitness, injuries, cost and self-defence compared, and which one fits your goals.

7 min read · 20 Sept 2026

Training

Shadow Boxing With Purpose: Five Rounds, Five Jobs

Most shadow boxing is a dance with nobody in it. Give each round one job – footwork, defence, combinations, a plan, pressure – and fifteen minutes becomes work.

6 min read · 17 Sept 2026

Training

The Jab: Five Most Common Mistakes – and How to Fix Them

The jab sets up everything else, and almost everyone throws it badly. Five mistakes, why each gets you hit, and one drill per mistake that fixes it in a week.

7 min read · 17 Sept 2026

Workout

Jump Rope Conditioning: 15 Minutes to Fighter Feet

A fifteen-minute rope session for calf endurance, rhythm and light feet: rope length, technique, six rounds, a six-week progression and healthy shins.

4 min read · 17 Sept 2026

Gear

The Best Boxing Gloves for Beginners (2026)

Eight gloves ranked from 80,000 buyer reviews: the one to buy once, the safest all-rounder, the best under $50 and the pairs the reviews warn you off.

12 min read · 17 Sept 2026