Recently started boxing, some questions about gym.

[whywouldyou]

I recently started boxing been going for about a month now but have some questions about the gym and whether these things are normal practice in gyms.

My first question is the training on the training days in the week it will start with a jog for about 20 minutes then when back in the gym we will be told to hit the bags, while hitting the bags the trainer will just watch and sometimes pick out people for mitts, but a lot of the time will stand and watch and now say much. While the boxers in there who fight will get get constant advice and spar and hitt the mitts with a lot of different trainers. So 1 will watch over about 20 people on the bags while around 4 others will will work with about 5 of the other people. Then after 12 rounds on the bag we will do a circuit then its over. I just want to know whether this is normal training methods am guessing it is, as obviously the Amateur competitors need more training but the only part that bothers me is the interaction with the coach but I guess you have to earn that, but does this training sound normal?

BTW the gym has National champions and decent pros so am not guessing quality of the coaches.

[NVSemin]

I recently started boxing been going for about a month now but have some questions about the gym and whether these things are normal practice in gyms.

My first question is the training on the training days in the week it will start with a jog for about 20 minutes then when back in the gym we will be told to hit the bags, while hitting the bags the trainer will just watch and sometimes pick out people for mitts, but a lot of the time will stand and watch and now say much. While the boxers in there who fight will get get constant advice and spar and hitt the mitts with a lot of different trainers. So 1 will watch over about 20 people on the bags while around 4 others will will work with about 5 of the other people. Then after 12 rounds on the bag we will do a circuit then its over. I just want to know whether this is normal training methods am guessing it is, as obviously the Amateur competitors need more training but the only part that bothers me is the interaction with the coach but I guess you have to earn that, but does this training sound normal?

BTW the gym has National champions and decent pros so am not guessing quality of the coaches.

When do you actually work on technique? 12 rounds of bag hitting can be harmful if you do it wrong

[whywouldyou]

When do you actually work on technique? 12 rounds of bag hitting can be harmful if you do it wrong

Well thats what I was worried about I've been going for a month and have not done any mitts or sparring which is to be expected I guess. The only form of technique training for me has been heavy bag, I've had little input while hitting the bag too. But I don't doubt the quality of the coaches, I guess if I carry on going I'll get my chance on the mitts and in sparring. I just hope am not developing any bad habits on the bag, but am guessing if I was I would be told or I hope anyway.

[SBleeder]

Well thats what I was worried about I've been going for a month and have not done any mitts or sparring which is to be expected I guess. The only form of technique training for me has been heavy bag, I've had little input while hitting the bag too. But I don't doubt the quality of the coaches, I guess if I carry on going I'll get my chance on the mitts and in sparring. I just hope am not developing any bad habits on the bag, but am guessing if I was I would be told or I hope anyway.

In my opinion the technique has to be taught first.

[mconstantine]

Waaaay too early for you to start sparring...are you actually looking to compete? If not, than coaches aren't going to spend a great deal of time with you.

But since you're just getting started, technique should come first.

How to stand
How to move laterally, forward, back, pivot etc.
How to defend
How to punch

Then you practice on heavy bag.
Then you begin to learn combinations and practice on mitts
Then you learn how to shadowbox and envision blocking, dodging, countering, attacking etc.
Then light sparring drills
Then light sparring
Then sparring

It should be a progression with technique coming FIRST to avoid bad habits. It doesn't take long at all to develop habits...bad or good.

[DIB42]

Talk to the trainers (when they're not busy) and ask them questions, that'll get you "noticed." If you stay dedicated you'll start getting more individual attention. Is there fights coming up? If there is a tourney or something looming the fighters will get 95% of the attention until its over. Also if their is a competition coming up, ask your trainers if there is anything you can do to help. In the gym the more you commit the more you'll get.

If they're completely ignoring you, then I would be a little concerned about possible injury.

[whywouldyou]

Waaaay too early for you to start sparring...are you actually looking to compete? If not, than coaches aren't going to spend a great deal of time with you.

But since you're just getting started, technique should come first.

How to stand
How to move laterally, forward, back, pivot etc.
How to defend
How to punch

Then you practice on heavy bag.
Then you begin to learn combinations and practice on mitts
Then you learn how to shadowbox and envision blocking, dodging, countering, attacking etc.
Then light sparring drills
Then light sparring
Then sparring

It should be a progression with technique coming FIRST to avoid bad habits. It doesn't take long at all to develop habits...bad or good.

Yeah I know I hope to spar in about 4 months maybe more depends on how I develop first I guess, but I definitely want to compete one day I guess they might not be aware haha, I've been taught how to stand and punch, not in much detail, I think I have the basic hang of different punches.

Talk to the trainers (when they're not busy) and ask them questions, that'll get you "noticed." If you stay dedicated you'll start getting more individual attention. Is there fights coming up? If there is a tourney or something looming the fighters will get 95% of the attention until its over. Also if their is a competition coming up, ask your trainers if there is anything you can do to help. In the gym the more you commit the more you'll get.

If they're completely ignoring you, then I would be a little concerned about possible injury.

Yeah its been end of the season and fighters have been competing alot. I don't think they know am looking to compete oneday should I tell them? I don't want to sound like a idiot who thinks he can jump in the ring on the first day though. Also do you think a target of May (next year) for a amateur bout is realistic if I continue going for 5 days a week?

[Ray Corso]

What city are you in? The "techniques" meantioned here are about hitting a bag. Theres a right way and theres alot of wrong ways! I never had a new guy in my gym punch a bag for 12 rounds, never heard of that with a seasoned guy!
How old are you?
What kind of condition are you in now? Height? Weight? Ray.

[whywouldyou]

What city are you in? The "techniques" meantioned here are about hitting a bag. Theres a right way and theres alot of wrong ways! I never had a new guy in my gym punch a bag for 12 rounds, never heard of that with a seasoned guy!
How old are you?
What kind of condition are you in now? Height? Weight? Ray.

Hey, am based in England. And it was around a hour straight on the bags which I don't know could be longer then 12 rounds haha. Condition isn't great although with the 3 miles 3 times a week and circuits I've been doing the last month I feel like I've improved. Am 6'2 and about 190lbs.

[GentlemanBoxer]

Hey there whywouldyou.
I only recently started as well and what youre talking about sounds abit strange to me. In the gym im at, the head coach/owner is the guy who spends 95% of his time with current competitors, the assistant coaches are there for everybody. They do as you say set us up with mass drills on bags, but the assistants are always watching and making adjustments; thr most common ones being "keep your feet on the ground, breath when you punch and dont tey to kill the bag, focus on technique. Everyone who wants to gets mit work time in, maybe not 6 8 or twleve rounds like the competitors, but they GET time. Im 100% behind your humble approach, but at the same time, you gotta let your trainers know you wanna compete, and even demand 1 on 1 time once in a while. As dor sparring, i say go ahead and ask to do it if you want to. We only have one ring at my gym and still anyone can use it. Just becwuse you wanna spar doesnt mean your gonna get thrown in there with the top competitors. Plus, the way i see it as pong as you listen and donas asked, they could always use a fresh pair of legs to work the main guys on.

Maybe my view is skewed, i only recently started, have only ever been at this one gym and the owner takes a really casual non elitist view on boxing... but i say xit ahoulndt be too different at yiur gym. I mean your paying for this training right? Might as well get yiur money's worth