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Combat Sports Guides for Switzerland
Which combat sport is right for you, and what equipment do you really need? The Vikingstore blog features clear and honest guides to boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA, BJJ, judo and other martial arts.
We answer questions regularly asked by beginners, active fighters and coaches in our stores. Topics include choosing boxing gloves, finding the right weight in ounces, hand wraps, mouthguards, headguards, shin guards, boxing shoes and preparing for your first training session.
Which combat sport is suitable for beginners?
The right discipline depends on your interests and goals. Traditional boxing focuses on punching techniques, footwork, distance management and defence. Kickboxing and Muay Thai also include kicks and, depending on the rules, knee strikes and clinch techniques.
BJJ and judo concentrate more on throws, ground fighting and submission techniques. MMA combines striking, kicking, wrestling and ground fighting. However, beginners do not automatically need to start with MMA. Learning the fundamentals of one discipline first can often be a sensible approach.
What equipment do you need for combat sports?
For an initial trial session, comfortable sports clothing may be sufficient, depending on the gym. The protective equipment required afterwards depends on the discipline and your coach’s instructions.
Boxing gloves, hand wraps and a mouthguard are fundamental items for boxing. Kickboxing and Muay Thai often require additional shin guards and groin protection. BJJ and judo gis differ in cut, material and technical requirements. No-Gi BJJ is generally practised in a rashguard with grappling shorts or suitable leggings.
How do you choose the right boxing gloves?
Boxing gloves differ in more than colour and price. Their intended use, padding, fit, material, closure and weight in ounces all matter.
Gloves designed for heavy-bag training have different requirements from models intended for sparring or competition. Options such as 10, 12, 14 and 16 OZ should not be chosen at random. Body weight, hand size, type of training and gym rules must all be considered.
Fit also varies between brands, meaning that a simple size chart is not always enough. Our guides explain the differences in detail and help you avoid buying unsuitable gloves.
How should you care for combat sports equipment?
Boxing gloves, shin guards and hand wraps absorb moisture during training. They should be removed from the sports bag after every session and allowed to dry in a well-ventilated place. Hand wraps should also be washed regularly.
Leaving damp gloves sealed inside a training bag is the fastest route to unpleasant odours and a shorter lifespan. Our articles provide practical advice on cleaning, drying and caring for different materials.
Advice Based on Real Retail Experience
Vikingstore is not an anonymous online shop. We advise combat athletes, parents, coaches and clubs every day and understand the most common questions and purchasing mistakes from real experience.
As an official Swiss partner and importer of several combat sports brands, we work directly with names such as LEONE1947, Sting Sports, SafeJawz, Namman Muay and Venum.
Our goal is not simply to sell you the most expensive gloves. We want to help you find equipment that genuinely suits your discipline, training requirements and budget.
Discover our combat sports guides or visit the Vikingstore locations in Bern and St. Gallen for personal advice.
Why Boxing Hand Wraps Are More Important Than Most People Think
When beginners start boxing, kickboxing, or Muay Thai, they often spend a lot of time choosing the right gloves. However, one essential piece of equipment is frequently overlooked: hand wraps. No matter how expensive or well-padded your boxing gloves are, they cannot fully protect your hands without proper hand wrapping. That's why hand wraps are considered an essential part of every fighter's training gear.
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The 50 most frequently asked questions about boxing gloves - answered by a martial arts shop from Switzerland
Buying boxing gloves for the first time can be confusing. What do ounces mean? Should you choose leather or synthetic leather? What gloves are best for boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, sparring or bag work? These are questions we hear every day. This guide answers the most common questions about boxing gloves and helps beginners and experienced athletes avoid costly mistakes.
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Why many punching bags appear cheaper than they actually are
Anyone looking for a punching bag usually starts by comparing prices online. And we see the same situation again and again. A customer finds a punching bag for CHF 79 or CHF 99 and compares it directly to a model costing CHF 199 or CHF 299. At first glance, both products look very similar. But once you take a closer look, you often realize they are not comparable at all.
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Why Do So Many Beginners Buy the Wrong Boxing Gloves?
Few pieces of equipment cause as much confusion among beginners as boxing gloves. Almost every day, we speak with people who are buying their first pair and many of them make the same mistakes. Some focus only on the price, others misunderstand glove weights, and many choose gloves that simply do not match their actual training schedule. One of the most common mistakes is buying gloves that are too light, even though sparring is already part of their training plan or will be in the near future. In this article, we explain the most common mistakes beginners make when buying boxing gloves and how to avoid costly purchases that may need replacing after only a short period of time.
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Why Do Combat Sports Brands Disappear From The Market?
Many combat sports athletes have experienced the same situation: a well-known brand suddenly becomes difficult to find, retailers can no longer order products and popular items disappear from store shelves. Most people assume that poor quality or a lack of demand is the reason. In reality, the causes are usually very different.
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Why Are There So Few Martial Arts Stores in Switzerland?
Anyone looking for a specialized martial arts store in Switzerland will quickly notice that the selection is surprisingly limited. While fitness centers, sporting goods stores and large sports chains can be found almost everywhere, dedicated martial arts shops are relatively rare. At the same time, interest in boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and MMA continues to grow. So why are there still so few specialized martial arts retailers in Switzerland? The answer lies in the unique challenges of the Swiss market.
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Why Are Boxing Shoes So Hard to Find? The Reality Behind the Boxing Shoe Market
Anyone who has ever searched for a specific pair of boxing shoes has probably experienced the same frustration: the right size is out of stock, your favorite model has been unavailable for months, or certain shoes simply seem impossible to find in Europe. Many athletes wonder why the selection of boxing shoes is so limited compared to other sports footwear. The answer is simple: the global boxing shoe market is much smaller than most people realize.
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How Much Does Boxing Cost as a Hobby in Bern or St. Gallen?
Many people immediately think of professional fighters, black eyes or competition when they hear the word boxing. In reality, most people in Bern and St. Gallen train for completely different reasons: fitness, stress relief, self-confidence or simply as a healthy balance to everyday life. Combat sports have become increasingly popular in Switzerland over the last few years. From traditional boxing clubs to modern fight gyms, there are now options for beginners, hobby athletes and experienced fighters almost everywhere.
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