Body Protection

Body Protection for Boxing, Kickboxing & Muay Thai

Body protection provides padded target areas for strikes to the upper body. Depending on the design, it can be used for coach-led training, controlled partner drills or specific competition formats. The important thing is to choose protection that matches both the areas you need to cover and the type of training you intend to do.

At Vikingstore, you'll find body protection for a wide range of combat sports training. A body protector, for example, can be combined with focus mitt training: the coach presents targets with the mitts while also providing a padded target area for body shots.

However, a belly pad, coach's body protector and competition body protector serve different purposes. Don't choose based on the product name alone – consider the coverage, fastening system and the techniques the manufacturer has designed the protector for.

Which Body Protector Is Right for My Training?

Before buying, first consider who will be wearing the protection and which strikes or techniques you want to practise.

• For body shots in boxing: A suitable body protector provides padded target areas across the torso while keeping the coach's hands free.
• For abdominal and body techniques in Muay Thai: A suitable belly pad can be combined with Thai pads for more varied combinations.
• For partner drills: Choose a model designed for the specific exercise while allowing sufficient freedom of movement.
• For competition: Always check the requirements of the sport, federation and individual event.

Not every body protector is designed to absorb kicks or knee strikes. Approval for punches does not automatically mean that a particular model is suitable for other techniques.

Belly Pads, Body Protectors and Protective Vests: What's the Difference?

Belly Pads

A belly pad is usually worn as a wide padded belt around the midsection. It primarily protects the abdominal area and, depending on its shape, may also cover part of the sides.

This design leaves the shoulders and arms largely unrestricted, making it particularly useful when a coach is holding Thai pads and wants to switch between hand-held targets and body targets during combinations.

The amount of side coverage and the techniques permitted vary from model to model. A narrow belly pad should not be considered complete rib protection.

Body Protectors for Coaches

A body protector generally provides more coverage than a standard belly pad. Depending on the design, the padding may extend across the front of the torso and around parts of the sides. Shoulder straps and rear fastening systems help keep the protector securely in position.

Body protectors are suitable for coach-led training when the specific model is designed for the body shots being practised. Combined with focus mitts and strike pads, they allow athletes to practise combinations at different target heights.

Only the designated and sufficiently padded areas should be used as striking surfaces. Straps, fasteners and unprotected edges are not target areas.

Body Protection for Partner Training and Competition

Protection worn by an athlete during a drill or competition has different requirements from a heavily padded coach's body protector.

For athlete-worn protection, freedom of movement, weight and sport-specific regulations become especially important. A heavy coach's protector is not automatically suitable for unrestricted sparring. Likewise, a lightweight competition protector cannot replace a body protector designed for intensive pad work.

Body Protectors for Boxing

During boxing training, a suitable body protector allows athletes to practise targeted combinations to the body. A coach can, for example, present a combination on the focus mitts and then provide a padded body target to finish the sequence.

This helps train distance, accuracy and transitions between head- and body-level targets. The sequence should be agreed beforehand so that the coach is prepared to receive the strikes in a controlled manner.

Athletes should wear suitable boxing gloves. Properly fitted boxing hand wraps provide additional support for the hands. The appropriate gloves will depend on the exercise and the coach's instructions.

Wearing a body protector does not mean the athlete should strike with maximum power without considering the person wearing it.

Belly Pads for Muay Thai and Kickboxing

In Muay Thai, a belly pad can expand the range of combinations practised with Thai pads, provided the model is designed for the techniques being trained.

In kickboxing, body protection can also help combine punches and kicks within clearly structured drills. However, not every design provides sufficient coverage for every direction, technique or target height.

Before training, check:

• Which techniques does the manufacturer allow?
• Where are the designated target areas?
• Does the protector remain stable while moving and turning?
• Are the sides sufficiently covered for the planned exercise?
• Can the coach safely control and manage the drill?

Kicks and knee strikes require the wearer to maintain an appropriate position and posture. Have an experienced coach show you how to use the equipment correctly before increasing training intensity.

How Should a Body Protector Fit?

A correctly fitted body protector should sit securely against the body without unnecessarily restricting breathing. It should not shift so much during movement that the intended target areas become exposed.

When trying on a protector, check that:

• The padding covers the intended areas of the body.
• Shoulder straps and fasteners can be adjusted correctly.
• The protector does not ride up excessively when you raise your arms.
• You can rotate your torso and bend your knees comfortably.
• The lower edge does not interfere with hip movement.
• Straps do not dig into the body.
• Fasteners remain outside the intended striking zones.

Try the protector on over the clothing you normally wear during training. You should also assume your usual position with focus mitts or Thai pads. A protector that feels comfortable while standing normally may fit differently once your arms are raised during pad work.

What Size Body Protector Do I Need?

The correct size depends on more than just your height. Chest and waist circumference, torso length and the adjustment range of the individual model are also important.

Always refer to the manufacturer's size chart and measure the body areas specified. A one-size model does not necessarily fit every person equally well.

Torso length is particularly important. A body protector that is too long may press against the hips or thighs when bending. A model that is too short may leave areas exposed that you want protected during your training.

If a protector continues to move around or causes pressure points even after the straps have been correctly adjusted, the shape of that model may simply not suit your body type.

How Important Are Padding and Weight?

Thick padding alone doesn't tell you whether a body protector is suitable for your training. Construction, materials, coverage and the condition of the protector are equally important.

The padding should remain even and retain its shape. Permanently compressed areas, hard edges or uneven sections are signs that the protector should be inspected carefully and, if necessary, taken out of use.

Weight also matters. Coaches who run several sessions in succession need equipment they can comfortably wear for extended periods. More weight does not automatically mean better quality. Look for a model that combines sufficient padding with practical freedom of movement.

Is a Body Protector the Same as a Chest Protector?

Not necessarily. A coach's body protector, a belly pad and an anatomically shaped chest protector are different types of protective equipment.

A dedicated women's chest protector is designed specifically to cover and protect the chest area. A belly pad sits lower on the torso and does not serve the same purpose. Likewise, a coach's body protector does not automatically replace chest protection required by a particular sport or competition.

Choose your equipment according to the actual protection you need. Body protection also does not replace a suitable groin guard, as this protects a completely different area of the body.

Can I Use a Body Protector for Hard Sparring?

A body protector does not make heavy strikes risk-free. Padded areas can absorb and distribute some of the impact, but force is still transferred to the body.

A coach's body protector is also not automatically designed for unrestricted sparring. Its size and construction can affect movement or interfere during close-range exchanges.

Check with your coach whether the specific model is appropriate for the planned exercise. Start with controlled intensity and increase the load only as far as the equipment, technique and experience of everyone involved allow. Pain should not be treated as a normal or desirable part of the drill.

Can Body Protection Be Worn in Competition?

That depends on the sport and the applicable rules. Some competition formats require specific protective vests or approved models, while others do not permit this type of additional body protection.

A product being described as a combat sports body protector does not mean that it is automatically approved for competition. If you need protection for an event, check the requirements of the organiser or governing federation before purchasing.

Body Protection for Coaches, Gyms and Clubs

For equipment used frequently, reliable fasteners, durable stitching and easy maintenance are particularly important. If several coaches share the same protector, the straps should offer enough adjustment to accommodate different body types.

When choosing equipment for a gym or club, consider:

• Will it mainly be used for boxing or for mixed striking techniques?
• How long will it be worn during each training session?
• Will several people with different body types use it?
• Which areas of the body need to be covered?
• Can the protector be cleaned and dried easily between sessions?

Choose equipment according to the exercises you actually intend to perform. A compact belly pad and a large body protector are not interchangeable.

How to Clean and Store Body Protectors

Sweat tends to accumulate on the inside of the protector and around the straps. Clean your equipment after training according to the manufacturer's care instructions.

For regular maintenance:

• Wipe surfaces with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
• Pay particular attention to the inside, straps and fasteners.
• Use only cleaning products suitable for the material.
• Remove fibres and dirt from hook-and-loop fasteners.
• Leave the protector open in a well-ventilated area to dry.
• Avoid direct heat and strong sunlight.
• Store the protector only once it is completely dry.

Machine washing, soaking or using strong disinfectants may not be suitable for every model. When equipment is shared, cleaning and drying should be a standard part of the training routine.

When Should a Body Protector Be Replaced?

Quickly inspect the protector before every use. Pay particular attention to areas that regularly absorb strikes as well as the straps and fastening systems.

Stop using the protector if:

• The padding has become significantly and permanently compressed.
• Hard or uneven areas have developed.
• Seams are coming apart.
• Straps or buckles are damaged.
• Hook-and-loop fasteners no longer hold securely.
• The protector continues to shift despite correct adjustment.
• The outer covering is torn and the internal materials are exposed.

Temporary repairs can affect the intended performance of protective equipment. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding repair or replacement.

Buy Body Protection in Switzerland

At Vikingstore, you'll find body protection for boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and combat sports training. Choose a model that matches the techniques you plan to practise, your body shape and the level of coverage you require.

Order your equipment online with delivery throughout Switzerland or visit our Vikingstore shops in Bern and St. Gallen.

If you're unsure which type of protection is right for you, a proper fitting and advice based on your intended use can help you make the right choice.