Wife loves kickboxing – Christmas edition

December 7, 2016 7:19 AM

Hey all, my wife recently discovered a passion for kickboxing and I'd love to support her in it via Christmas presents in the equipment and accessories areas.

I've never done kickboxing before and quite frankly a couple of weeks probably isn't enough time to join up and learn enough to identify for myself what would be useful or helpful to her. She already has boxing gloves, tape, an equipment bag, and a gym with classes she likes.

I'd like to find some other stuff that would be helpful to her as she continues with kickboxing. It's amazing how much she's gotten into kickboxing, and I want to support her in this passion in the new year.

Ideas much appreciated, and anything I can pick up local to Toronto or the GTA is especially helpful.

Thanks!

posted by renderthis to Health & Fitness (9 answers total)

I take kickboxing classes and I use the Glove Dog deodorizers to keep my gloves from getting stinky. It's not a very glamorous gift but could be useful to her!

https://www.workoutz.com/glove-dog-deodorizer.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=CO6bxLa14tACFc2KswoduTIIKg
posted by koolaidnovel at 8:05 AM on December 7, 2016 [1 favorite]

not exactly related, but maybe one of those things that rolls out/massages your muscles? i imagine she'll be sore after working out.
posted by monologish at 8:22 AM on December 7, 2016

Monologish is talking about foam rollers. They are great! Especially the ones with big lumps sticking off them. Great for hip and hamstring mobility.

A lacrosse ball is also a very cheap but highly useful thing for this.

If she's like most athletes I know, myself included, she likes looking tough but also looking fashionable. Get her some on-trend workout tights with the translucent mesh panels on them. I don't know who has the best deal on them, but Lululemon is the "gold standard" intersection between "makes me feel badass and trendy" and "ugh, these are how expensive?" but hey, it's Christmas.

Get her a speedbag setup for the house.

Knee-high compression socks with fun patterns would be good for when she hits the bag with her shin by accident.
posted by radicalawyer at 9:32 AM on December 7, 2016 [2 favorites]

Mexican-style hand wraps. They're longer and stretchier than the American kind, and so much easier to get on and keep on.
posted by ignignokt at 11:46 AM on December 7, 2016 [2 favorites]

And don't forget basic gym stuff like a water bottle and hair bands (or clips, or sweat bands, whatever she usually wears)
posted by aimedwander at 12:50 PM on December 7, 2016

Not sure if your wife is generally doing a sparring version of kickboxing or just hitting a bag, but if she spars/does partner drills, then good shin guards (usually in the $70-80 range from Fairtex, Twins, etc.) or Thai pads would get a lot of use. If she's mostly solo against a bag, what about getting her a sports massage? I also intermittently use a heating pad with a lacrosse ball, when my shoulders are stiff from practice, and I'm planning to pick up a pair of those Glove Dogs for myself, as far as stuff I use goes.

For more general workout stuff, I bought one of those Nalgene water bottles two years ago and it's still holding up great. Since you guys are in the Great White North, if she does any running outside as part of her training, maybe armwarmers or a nice, easy to wash jacket just for workouts?
posted by tautological at 2:08 PM on December 7, 2016

Enough of the basics that she hardly ever has to do a special wash for them is really handy. That's even socks or the best wicking undies or whatever. Not very romantic except that it's nice every week of the year.

also: occasionally my sweetie meets me right outside my gym with a smoothie, slightly more indulgent than I would get for myself, and kisses my red sweaty face. All of this makes me so, so happy.
posted by clew at 4:14 PM on December 7, 2016 [1 favorite]

A heavy bag for the house, or pads so she can practice with you at home? Research the brands or ask the gym what they recommend.

People at my gym buy the Thai style shorts after a while. They're more expensive and could make a nice gift.

Wraps need to be replaced every so often as they stretch, so a couple extra pairs could come in handy.

Maybe get her a 1:1 session with an instructor.

And consider (ask instructor?) what cross-training or supportive activities you could help her try for flexibility and strengthening and core work so she can do this long-term.

Make sure her gloves are nice gloves. Quality varies.
posted by ramenopres at 7:16 AM on December 8, 2016

A mouthguard and case for it would be useful. Hair bands always seem to bugger off into an alternate dimension, you can never have enough… I think my gym bag must have a portal inside it. Also, sport-wear specific laundry detergent is one of those 'How did I ever live without this?' Items. Biofeeeze in roll-on form for the sore muscles, old-school ice packs, and ibuprofen. And I would be over the moon with joy if my sweetie gave me massage coupons.
posted by culfinglin at 9:48 PM on December 8, 2016