Learning to Box

[DMC]

I total agree platinummatt!

Its ridiculous being too old to do something at 31

I am surprised there are not more 30+ guy's looking at boxing especially Amateur.
I know most guys my age are turning pro or already pro, but I think if they really opened it up to older guy’s and promoted the health, fitness and self defense aspect they would get guy’s coming from everywhere. They whole white collar aspect where normal business people and workers have a go could work on a bigger scale with competitions and things. Show the safety and fun side of it and it would take off.

The guy that was showing me owns the gym; he seems nice and seemed like he knows what he is doing. When I arrived and was ready to start he has me in front of a mirror showing me how to stand and balance, then how to move. Then how to throw some very basic punches. Then he left me and went to work with the rest of the guys sparring. He left me with one of his trainers how stayed with me and showed me how to use the Floor to sealing ball, speed ball and heavy bag. He showed me drills to do and things to work on. He commented on defense and while I was taking a little rest we were watching the sparring and he said we will get your defense 100% before you even attempt to get in there. (That was very reassuring) He stayed and helped me for about 1hr and a half. The owner also kept coming over to check on me. They were both very impressed with me on the seed ball. They said I picked it up very quick and had great timing and rhythm.
The only thing I struggled with all night was punching and getting my hips into it. I do everything from the shoulders and I found it hard to coordinate my whole body.
I left that night with a buzz and sense of accomplishment and was happy that they took the time out to help me. I look forward to next week.


DMC

[fraidycat]

They whole white collar aspect where normal business people and workers have a go could work on a bigger scale with competitions and things. Show the safety and fun side of it and it would take off.
:

I don't go to a white-collar gym, but I'm definitely a white-collar boxer. At least, I fit that demographic. And in ******ia this year, there was a Master Division (35+) round at Golden Gloves for the first time ever. I would like to compete in Golden Gloves someday. I know I'm not alone in this.

What's really interesting is the role I find myself in at my gym. I'm one of the oldest "serious" fighters; there are a few guys older than me who come in occasionally, but I'm one of three over-35 guys who train 3-4 days a week. Even though I've only been at it for a year, I find myself looked-up to as a trainer and a teacher by the young guys, both in technique as well as psychology and attitude. All of us "old guys" do.

It's a really fascinating space for a latte-sipping, Saturn-driving, nearly-40-year-old white guy to be in when a 20-year-old badass with gang tattoos asks him for tips in beating the **** out of someone. Sometimes when I step through the gym door, I feel like I've fallen down a rabbit hole.

What a great game.

[DA1CATAS]

After you get a few fights your gonna wanna start fighting am's... get a belt or sumthin...

you'll find out if your really good.. thoughts will fly in your head and before you know it your gonna be fighting Oneil bell on a comeback fight feature bout on espn2 wed. night fights...


lol.. Or you could just keep training wn a few fights and feel good about doing something different in life when you *ASSUMED* you were too old... lol.. they both are good one takes more dedication though..

Happy you started boxing.. post on how your doing every now and then 1

[DMC]

Sure DA1CATAS I will let you know.

DMC

[PunchDrunk]

I'm 34, and honestly, though I miss it, I'm glad my fighting days are over... My body just won't let me do the things I used to be able to do. fitness wise, reflexes, speed... It's just not the same. I guess if you've never tried being a 21 year old, top tuned fighting machine, you don't know what you're missing. But if you have, you'll KNOW fighting after a certain age just isn't the same.

I know I'm coming from a different place than you guys, but that's the way it looks from this end. If you get what you're looking for, more power to you!

I take great pride in training kids now. As a boxer it's all about ME, you know? As a trainer, the kids come first. It's just great to be able to work with kids, teach them, not just boxing, but life lessons.

[fraidycat]

Conversely, the young guys don't understand how Goddamn sore we are all the time. There's no way they can. That's the biggest thing for me. At my age my body has no sense of humor. One heavy sparring session will leave me sore for a week. In the mornings after boxing, I can barely move; my morning roadwork is mostly to shake out the kinks and the soreness.

[DMC]

Went back again last night for my second visit.
Had another great night, the guy was teaching me about defense and blocking punches and well as following up with punches.
Then I got a little shock when he got me to get into the ring with another guy.
You couldn't really call it sparing. but He would throw a punch and I had to block it and follow up with some punches. When I going ok with that then we had to move around the ring doing it. The after that he had my practice my defense and punch on a heavy bag, by swinging the bag and blocking it as it came at me. I learnt allot. I also watched other guys spar most of the night some were very full on. I am really glad I decided to start doing this I have lost allot of weight and I have felt strong and the best both Physically and emotionally than I have my whole life. The next thing I need to do is buy some decent headgear and sparring gloves. I know I am ranting but it feels good to share.


DMC

[Trick]

There's a couple of old 40 something warriors in my gym. I guess they never won any world titles, but they have a lot of experience. Sure, the age slows them down (not mention they're not really BOXERS anymore per se) so when you spar or do drills with one of them, you obviously take it a little easier. Even still, these guys have been around the block, and definitly get the respect. At least at my gym.

I know you're not a vet, but my point is, while not many 40 year olds have their eyes on the world title, there's more out there than you think.

Keep at it man,

[DMC]

Hi all,

Just thought I would give an update.
Been going now for 3 weeks, and I love it. Between going to a regular gym and a boxing gym I think I am doing ok. The weight loss has been going ok, but it's getting harder to loose now, I think because I am doing weights every second day and I am building muscle. The learning to box is going ok. I have discovered that I am very uncoordinated. I had my first semi spar tonight. Not just the drills I have been doing.

The trainer put my in with an experienced guy, he told him to go easy and it was all just body shots. The idea was to move around and block and punch. I started ok then they guy opened up a little and DAM I had no idea my balance was bad I managed to block on out of every 3 punches. I got so focused on blocking I wasn't throwing any back. The guy I was against said "Hey you going to punch back". I got a few in but I was still very bad. I have a long long long long long way to go. I am not very coordinated and am not very fast but I am sure I will improve. The main thing is I am having loads of fun.
Reading the stuff you guys put on here help allot as well, So thanks
I Will report again soon.


DMC

[DMC]

Here I am again.

Had my best night last night. Got myself some good sparring gloves, headgear and mouth guard. Did more of the same just shots to the body, but this time I felt more relaxed in there. I have been a little tense and I have been moving like a robot. Think it's been a combination of nerves and thinking to much. So tonight after watching a few other guys I went in and tried to stay loose. I moved around allot more and blocked his punches well. I throw back a few good jabs and put some ok combo's together. My balance felt a little improved but I still need to work on it. The guy training me was very happy and kept yelling "Keep on him, keep throwing" After one round I was wrecked. I stepped out had a rest watched some more. was about to pack up and the trainer told me he wanted me in again soon. So back again same stuff. I can see what he is doing, just working me a little harder each time. I can't get over how a few minutes are so draining and a great work out.
The only thing I need to do is throw harder punches. My trainer keeps telling me to throw harder punches, but I get unsure.

I have never really hit anyone in my life and I know I am not the hardest hitter and watching the guys sparring they hit allot harder than me. I am just a little scared to hit these guys with more power in the mid section and guts.

Anyone else had this problem when they started?

Anyway enough from me. I am back there Thursday I hope it's just as fun as last night.


DMC