Where Shall I Start.

[JF91]

Ok, I'm really in the dark here and just looking for some guidance/help, hope this can be answered without much problem.

Basically, I'm 16, I've competed at national level for both running and swimming. I've got tons of endurance and found that I had way too much upper body muscle compared to most swimmers and was told that it would never help me. Just recently I disbanded from the elite swimming club really just because it's not my scene splashing around in tight pants and thought that starting boxing would be a good idea in the near future, I'm really optimistic and I would honestly put everything possible into getting to a really high standard of boxing and being at really high level in other sports I'm used to pushing my body past its limits. If you can give me any opinions on how you think I'll match up or how to change my body shape to adapt to boxing then its even better.

But, basically all I'm saying is that I'm really keen to box. REALLY keen. I dont know what brought it on but I'm ready for whatever comes and want some pretty experienced help and idea's on how to get there. I plan on joining a local boxing club some time soon and taking things from there first, however, I need to know the sort of drills/excersises and things that I can be doing at home to completely strengthen myself for being a boxer and get myself into maximum shape. I've been doing the usual sit-ups, press-ups, dips, squats and punch bag workouts and just wonder if theres anything else thats vital that I'm missing out. I guess commitment is all good but I just want to make sure I'm committing to the right areas and doing the right things to make full effect of what I do.

Completely random, I know, but I'm completely in the dark here and basically just wanting some "Experienced" Beginners-Information on how to get to a high-level in boxing, FAST. haha.

Thanks alot.

[Domey]

Well you've already competed on the national level for both running and swimming, so you have an idea of the competition on that scale.

Running is very important to a fighter, and since you run, that is already a very good start.

You cannot say how far you would make it or if you would at all. Dedication is crucial and if you work hard enough you can be as big as you want.

For at home other then doing situps and punching bag, you could try skipping rope, or even practice shadow boxing. Granted you really wont have a clue as to what you are doing with shadowboxing, or even hitting the heavy bag. But working out and getting those muscles ready sure wont hurt. Carefull punching the heavy bag too. Without properly wrapping your hands, and throwing a punch correctly, you could injur yourself.

[sukhenkoy]

Hey man,
I was in your position about a month ago. I had been playing soccer at the highest level for over 2-3 years when I had to stop because of leg problems. So, after soccer, I started lifting weights, swimming, and doing a lot of upper body exercises. After about 6 months of doing that, I decided to start boxing.

Basically, I think that if you can run well, that is already a good advantage to starting boxing. Also, if you've been doing those upper body exercises for some time, you should be in decent shape. My 6 months of upper body exercises (as well as ab exercises - do not forget those as they are extremely important) got me to the point where I am probably in the best shape for doing pre-boxing workouts (like ab exercises, pushups, and the other exercises you do at the gym before the actual boxing begins) in my gym. However, like the poster above me mentioned, you probably won't be able to learn a lot of boxing technique at home before you go to the gym because you need a trainer to show you how to do it properly. My advice to you is to just get yourself to the gym as soon as possible and don't worry too much about trying to prepare your body for what's to come. If you work hard in the gym, you will get the hang of things pretty fast.

Good luck man and I congratulate you on choosing to pursue boxing, as it is the most physically and mentally demanding, yet rewarding, sport in the world.

[mr tricky]

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to be honest you need to join a boxing gym your self. if you dont you will naver make it far because you will devolep poor technique, the best thing is to search and find out about a local boxing club and join them, technique come before fitness in boxing, theres so much more to boxing than you will veer realise unless you get down to a gym, footwork,jab,right hand, left hook, right hook, uppercut, hand speed, 1-2s, combos, power, heavy bag work, speed bag work, running, push ups, sit ups, nutrinion, protien, sparring, fighting, hand wraps,learning,stance, technique, body shots, tone ups, spipping or jump rope,

here is just a few of the things involved in boxing and each one needs to be masterd, and practiced to full technique, you cant just be healthy and fit and thorw punches how you would like,

if i were you i would join a boxing club, search this sites old posts for advice , learn how to thorw your punches properly , buy a dvd, read posts, learn everyting there is, and keeps doing all the running and exercises your doing as it will help, but belive me the best thing for boxing endranc is boxing,
no boxer would out run a runner in endurace and no runner would out work a boxer in endurace, they are both completley diffrent things, im a really rubbish runner, everone would beat me, im a really rubbish swimmer everyone would beat me, i would beat all my freinds even the fitter ones in a boxing match.

learnt eh basics before you do fitness, theres no point doing an hour bag work if your throwing ****, that wont help you box, youve got to trow controlled shots, and good shots, that you could use in real boxing,


anyway hope this helps

[BrooklynBomber]

Prepare to get punished. While you do have great advantages in being a runner and a swimmer, you have one great disadvantage being that you have a totally different set of central nervous system instructions for different sports.


It's gonna be hard for you to adopt though, especially taking into account that you are probably a slow twitch muscle person(endurance) if you were a swimmer and a runner, I take it you were probably a marathon runner, not a sprinter?

[kenny91]

well by the sounds of it you got the basics "I've been doing the usual sit-ups, press-ups, dips, squats and punch bag workouts" but what i would say is get yaself a speed rope which will help with quick footwork and it disciplines you in rythm n a bit of coordination too (jump/speed ropes dont cost too much and get weighted ones later on)

A;so, been as though uve started to use ur punch bag already i'd suggest looking at combos. OH nearly forgot; do u know the correct boxing stance and how to throw a jab, hook and upercut correctly? this was one thing my trainer absolutely grilled me on cos i thought it didnt matter how u hit - apparently it does.

so a quick summary of things to take into account:
- Footwork (speed rope will help)
- How to execute a jab, hook, upercut correctly
^ this link will help u with thosehttp://youtube.com/user/Rivalbox
- Hand wrapping (absolutely crucial)
example vid: http://youtube.com/watch?v=h2XbrsmHl2Q&feature=related
- combos; just look up different combos or even create some of your own, bring variation to ur game.
- speed ball (works on hand coordination and speed)

Thats it really uve got everything else like strength, fitness, determination, working out, punchbag. Just watch what u eat now and control your weight (protein foods is advisable like fish chicken peas and pasta etc)

Anyways dude welcome to boxingscene, i hope my comment been of great help and i wish u luck in the future

[JF91]

Thanks Kenny, thats awesome, just what I was looking for.

And BrooklynBomber I was actually a sprinter at both, if it makes any difference. Thanks alot for the tips everyone.

[kenny91]

Mate, no probs.

good luck and all !