What do u own?

[Jussi Häkkinen]

Ehm...I definitely recommend tapering the board for makiwara. Cut it in a way that the striking end is about 0.5" thick and thickens eventually to the ground level to ~1 - 1.5" thickness. The board has to have a good give - 10-15" with a good punch is OK.

Having a 4*4" board and using it as it is will only cause your fingerjoints irreparable damage. Not recommended.

[Enviroman]

I think .5 inches is excessive. You can tell if the board is too stiff or just right. If you feel that it is too stiff you can take a plane and shave it down until you get a stiffness that you are comfortable with. At .5 inches thick you could break the board (at least you could cause it to crack, especially if your foam shifts or something). I think having a board that is only 1" in width where you plant it in the ground (which is what I think you're recommending) will cause it to be a very short lived board.

edit: Ok, maybe for people that don't have an inordinate amount of practice with a makiwara, I'd recommend shaving the top of the board down to around an inch or so in width (the part where you place your pad).

[koko1969]

Heavy Bag

Weights

Mitts

My little brother...

[Ben Martin]

weight bench with weights and

2 thai pads

2 focus pads

2 pairs of gloves

3 pairs of wraps

2 pairs of shin pads

1 pairs of kick boots

2 mouth guards

skipping rope

a small home made sand bag to condition my shins with

[George]

Heavy Bag

Speed Bag

and I just got a set of Bulzai sparring gear from Zaigear. this gear uses target system. it is cool