Am I kidding myself as a beginner?

[MannyPT]

I've been shadowboxing for a couple of months based on DVD1 of Pat Miletitch Striking Strategies when I realized I need to learn proper boxing foundations first.

My goal is to do cardio/strength work while I'm developing a self-defense skill (or are combatives better?). Seems like boxing is a better investment of time and effort to learn a valuable skill instead of just running or doing swimming.

However I just do shadowboxing, I have no punch mitts, heavy bag, speed bag, nor a training partner for drills and physical contact. There is a nearby martial arts academy where the instructors supposedly teach mma (standup and ground) but they have a karate background and I want to learn from real boxers/may thais.

Should I continue with shadow boxing or is it just a waste of time and I should really wait for a proper instructor?

I have Christopher Getz Ultimate Boxing and Kenny Weldon's Learn to Box. There is also Kenny Weldon's Becoming a Better Boxer, which is a more recent product (he has gray hair in this one as opposed to Learn to Box). Any differences between these 2?

[Soju]

You can't learn to fight on your own just like you can't learn to dance without a dance partner. You also need a trainer to show you and correct you. Go to whatever trainer is available, boxing is better, but anything is better than nothing. Introduce yourself by saying you have absolutely no experience, because you don't, and you wish to learn. Never mention this DVD business again and good luck with your training.


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[NVSemin]

I've been shadowboxing for a couple of months based on DVD1 of Pat Miletitch Striking Strategies when I realized I need to learn proper boxing foundations first.

My goal is to do cardio/strength work while I'm developing a self-defense skill (or are combatives better?). Seems like boxing is a better investment of time and effort to learn a valuable skill instead of just running or doing swimming.

However I just do shadowboxing, I have no punch mitts, heavy bag, speed bag, nor a training partner for drills and physical contact. There is a nearby martial arts academy where the instructors supposedly teach mma (standup and ground) but they have a karate background and I want to learn from real boxers/may thais.

Should I continue with shadow boxing or is it just a waste of time and I should really wait for a proper instructor?

I have Christopher Getz Ultimate Boxing and Kenny Weldon's Learn to Box. There is also Kenny Weldon's Becoming a Better Boxer, which is a more recent product (he has gray hair in this one as opposed to Learn to Box). Any differences between these 2?

Christopher Getz Ultimate Boxing and Kenny Weldon's Learn to Box are reasonable materials to learn from out there

[MannyPT]

Christopher Getz Ultimate Boxing and Kenny Weldon's Learn to Box are reasonable materials to learn from out there

When you write reasonable, do you mean there are better? Which materials do you recommend for learning boxing or muay thai?

[Dagomba]

When you write reasonable, do you mean there are better? Which materials do you recommend for learning boxing or muay thai?

I recommend a real life trainer. There has to be a boxing gym or at least a normal fitness gym with that gives boxing classes. Normally the trainer is bound to know some people or a real boxing gym. You just can't learn boxing from videos. My trainer always says that you don't really learn to box until you actually step into the ring to spar. You learn the technique on the bags but you'll never truly box until you have someone hitting you back.

[Baptist]

They are good DVDs to work from but as everyone has said, you just can't learn it on your own. Go to a boxing gym and have a go and you'll be surprised how much faster paced everything is.

Best way of learning from those DVDs is

1. learn method
2. try method in gym
3. let coach tell you how you are doing it wrong
4. practise it right
5. watch dvd again and SOMETIMES understand where you were going wrong, SOMETIMES realise the coach knows best

If your coach was an actual boxer then 9 times out of 10 they know exactly what they are talking about

Sometimes you just find a middle ground where the coach gives you 80% info, and the DVD / internet or whatever fills in those little queries in your head to help you perfect it

At the end of the day you can't beat someone screaming at you 'keep your chin down' or 'stop dropping your arm' every time you do it.

Shadow box for too long without any critique from an expert and you will pick up a billion bad habits

My honest opinion is that shadow boxing doesn't really make that much sense until you've started sparring, only then can you actually imagine what it's like when a boxer is coming at you trying to smack you in the head.

Before that it's like trying to imagine something you've never witnessed, you make it easy, the guy is slow, you're the ultimate fighter who never gets hit, in reality, they'll punch you so fast you'll trip over your own feet trying to avoid him.

Good luck!