How to get started in boxing.

[bigmike34]

I am interested in getting involved in boxing. I want to do it for fitness and not for competition right now. Does anybody have any tips on how to get started, equiptment that I would need, etc. I am kind of on a tight budget right now so keep that in mind. I would'nt be able to invest in too much equiptment. I would appreciate your help.

[Mr Ian]

If you have a dicks near you, you can pick up a speed bag/speed bag for like $70, go to Champs or your local sports store and pick up some 16oz gloves. once you have that set up (if you have the room for it, if you dont let me know). there are different things you can do for cardio once you have these. or even if not, you can do it in a yard (although you might look stupid)
Start off
- Stretch out: arms, legs, shoulders, move your ankles around, thenJump rope/or jumping jacks to get your legs moving.
- do some slow combinations for a certian amount of time.
EX: you can do J(jab)/C(cross) back and forth for alittle while to get your arms moving set up a time frame. Then then start to add uppercuts, body shots, hooks for another time frame: like a min at a time
- Next set do fast punching J/C J/C for like 45 sec. straight
Keep changing it up and add too it. While you throw punches lower yourself by bending your knees alittle bit, move around too. dont stand still,
Hope this helps alittle bit

[bigmike34]

Thanks for the help

[AngeliveD]

Before you start a routine though, do some research on the proper stances and motions. You'll get more out of your workout if you learn to aim and throw a real punch/jab/etc. Keeping your balance is important too : Practicing dodging motions between punch reps will work your abs.

You might just buy/rent a video to get the feel and then invent your own routines.

[Shamrock]

I was a Junior C middle weight when I was in highschool. I've done boxing, football, soccer, baseball and amateur body building and box, by far, is the toughest training I have ever gone through. Although obviously the sparring and bag work is important, the cardio and resistance training is as well. I had a trainer monitoring my nutrition as well as motivating me which is definately advantageous but good training can be accomplished without one.

My routine went: (Note NSBT refers to non sparring bout training. It means skipping, specific ab routines, and footwork)
Monday 12 km bike ride/NSBT
Tuesday Resistance training/windsprints/sparring
Wednesday: 5 km jog/NSBT
Thursday (AKA Hellday by my trainer): Resistance training starting at 2PM, windsprints, sparring as well as NSBT all until the point of failure (usually around 8 or 9 PM)
Friday 8 km bike ride

The biggest skills you need to develop are:
Stamina - It is ridiculously tough to keep your arms swinging, midsection and core flexed, and be able to keep footing for round after round after round
Core strength - Your abs are your best line of defense. You'll never see more abdominal/oblique work than that of a boxing training routine
Breathing - I had a real hard time with this. During the first 8-12 monthes your core won't be strong enough to protect you so you need to "flex" during a bout. Breathing while flexing your midsection is tough, but not nearly as painful as when your opponent connects with a weak and relaxed stomach.

My advice would be to pick your weight class, and no its not just weigh yourself and look at the charts. Find a target weight class and work towards it. I aimed for a middle weight is pretty heavy for the age I was when I started. Thats because I wanted my advantage to be overall strength, most of my components spent half the time I did performing resistance training.
How much do you weigh, how tall are you, and whats your current build?

After you've picked a weight class you need to decide if you want to just reap the benefits of some of the toughest training in the world (which by all means is a smart decision) or if you want to proceed. If you do you need to get "associated" with a local club. Be forewarned though this is a big step. Being associated is a very legal thing (I am in Canada but the laws are very similar). This means if you get in a fight and are charged with assault, it's assault with a deadly weapon because you are associated.
Brendan

[bigmike34]

thanks for that advice. it is very helpful