What sort of equipment do i need to get started in kickboxing?

Start your workout with a minnimumof 15 minutes of stretching. This is crucial to help avoid injury or strain. A few basic exercises would be practicing a front kick, a side kick, and a roundhouse kick (10 - 15 repetitions on each side). This will help build strength and definition in your legs. For your upper body, I would suggest practicing a jab, reverse punch, and a hook (again 10 - 15 repetitions on each side). These are to be done against open air before you work a heavy bag, to gain form and control of the techniques BEFORE you attempt to hit with real power. This basic workout ahould take between 45 - 60 minutes if done right (this includes the 15 minutes of stretching at the beginning. You can do a search online and find pictures and diagrams of the proper way to do these techniques online. After you have done this routine for a few months, it would benefit you to seek out an actual trainer (there are even some willing to train you through online instruction, but a clroom environment is always best) to continue your trainning. As far as equipment, you need hand wraps to protect your wrists, light boxing gloves to protect your hands and knuckles, ankle wraps to protect your ankles, and kick guards to protect your feet. It would also be good to get a mouth piece to keep from biting down on your tongue. This equipment is not needed for practicing the techniques against open air (which is known as "shadow boxing"), but is essential in heavy bag training to keep from sustaining an injury. Hydration is kee, so be sure to keep yourself well hydrated with water or gatorade. Lastly, when making contact with the heavy bag, be sure to exhale. This will promote a healthy and steady flow of oxigen as well as increase power output. Hope this helps, good luck in your training.