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Step 1
Visit the USA Table Tennis website for a list of equipment approved by this sanctioning body (see Resources below). This site is also a great resource for rules of the game and just about anything relating to table tennis in the United States.
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Step 2
Start by shopping for a table. Make sure your table conforms to stated specifications of length, width, height and net height as specified by either the USA Table Tennis or the International Table Tennis organizations. Color is merely a matter of preference for a home table, but blue and green are the most common colors.
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Step 3
Select a racket or bat. The first step is choosing one that is comfortable to hold. There are three basic handle designs. There are straight handles, flared handles and anatomic handles. Select the one that feels right to you.
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Step 4
Select the head type for your racket. In table tennis, the racket can be referred to as a blade.
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Step 5
Test how light or heavy the blade feels in your hand. The ideal blade is the heaviest one you can use comfortably without sacrificing speed of movement. Beginners should choose a "slow" blade because it offers better shot control. As your skills improve, upgrade to a "fast" blade because it will enable you to hit the ball harder and with more spin.
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Step 6
Make sure you're buying a wood blade if you plan on being competitive. There are very strict rules about the amount of wood that must be used to make a table tennis blade for competition purposes.
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Step 7
Choose a blade cover, called a rubber, depending on your preference. Rubbers are the surface that contacts the ball. They can be smooth or studded. There are many colors to choose from and many different graphics that allow you to make a statement about yourself. Check the equipment requirements and rules for rubbers before you enter a table tennis tournament.
