What to Wear to Wrestling Practice: Know Before You Go
Getting ready for your first Wrestling class can become stressful, but it doesn't have to be.
In this page, we will cover what to wear to Wrestling class on your first day, explain a checklist of items to bring, and what to avoid bringing.
Table of Contents
What Should I Wear On My First Day of Wrestling?
On your first day of Wrestling, you'll see wrestlers wearing a wide range of things that you may not have, and that's okay. You can simply wear an athletic t-shirt and running shorts with no pockets.
If possible, you'll want to make sure that your shirt is a tighter fit, almost skin tight, to eliminate other wrestlers accidentally grabbing your shirt when wrestling.
Consider Wrestling Shoes
If you're attending a wrestling practice in a school setting (vs an MMA gym), you'll want to consider purchasing wrestling shoes, as normal shoes aren't allowed on the mat.
However, many instructors realize that you may not have wrestling shoes right away, and may allow you to train with socks.
(Traditionally in a MMA gym, you can wrestle with wrestling shoes or barefoot)
Why Shorts Without Pockets
The reason that you want to avoid pockets is due to the risk of the pocket catching someone's fingers or toes when wrestling.
If you've ever accidentally grazed your finger by the pocket, where it briefly becomes stuck inside the pocket, you'll know it's extremely painful.
Checklist of Items to Bring
- Athletic Shirt
- Athletic Short without pockets
- Wrestling shoes
- Water bottle
- Towel
- Spare change of clothes
The towel and a spare change of clothes aren't necessary, but ultimately come down to preference.
Wrestling is one of the toughest sports in the world, which means that you're almost guaranteed to sweat.
A towel can come in handy, as you can quickly wipe off the excess sweat before resuming your training.
When you're sweaty after practice ends, chances are that you still have to get in the car to drive back home.
By bringing an extra pair of clothes, you can quickly change into a new shirt/shorts, to prevent stinking up your car.
Everyone Had Had Their First Day
Although you may feel out of place wearing 'Normal clothes' next to everybody else, you'll realize that every single person in that room has also needed to take their first class.
The instructor and other wrestling students will all be understanding and will do their best to help you and make sure that everything is explained at a pace that you can follow.
What to Avoid Bringing to Wrestling
You'll want to avoid wearing:
- Any type of Jewelry such as a watch, chains, or even hairbands (on the arms)
- Shorts with any type of zipper or pockets
Additionally, you'll want to ensure that you're practicing good hygiene and are wearing deodorant, covering up any scabs, your clothes are cleanly washed, and that you are showing up clean to the practice in general.
Nobody wants to wrestle with someone who practices bad hygiene, and it's very quick to spot those people in a wrestling environment, as you'll be within inches of other students at times.