Are most boxing gyms scams?

[trener_chempion]

I live in NYC, and have been around the block in terms of attending various boxing gyms that charge people way too much money to train at these gyms. In Manhattan, it seems that 90% of the gyms are more geared toward workout sessions than training serious boxers.

I found a nice small gym next to where I live that is actually focused on boxing, however I've recently been feeling unfulfilled since I'm 27 and most of the people who come in are younger and less experienced in the sport.

Is there any gym out there (particularly in NYC) that is actually geared toward training people who have potential to be professional boxers, and aren't just trying to take your hard-earned cash? Or do you just have to put up with all the BS of going to the gym on a regular basis in order to eventually get noticed by a good trainer who will train you for free?

At this point, I'm already considerably past the beginner stage, and am only really advancing by going to the gym in terms of being able to work on the bags. The sparring situations aren't doing anything for me, since 90% of the people I spar with are doing it for fun and aren't actually focused on becoming skilled boxers.

If anyone knows of a good gym in NYC with a reasonably good rate, my ears are open.

Visit several gyms and choose your coach. It will be better this way. I train boxers for competitions in my city and I do it for free. And those who are engaged for pleasure pa

[WonderMonkey]

It seems like there are tons of "boxing" gyms where no actual boxing takes place. The "trainers" are more personal trainers than boxing trainers.

Whenever someone tells me they go to a boxing gym or are in a boxing class I assume they are just doing a conditioning workout and hitting a heavy bag with silly form, not actually learning how to box or doing any actual sparring.

I think you are right. They know they need money to keep the gym open, and they see a way to do it. They may feel they have sold their soul a bit, but they also want to pay their lease.

[OctoberRed]

I think you are right. They know they need money to keep the gym open, and they see a way to do it. They may feel they have sold their soul a bit, but they also want to pay their lease.

Tons of guys like that in my gym.

[billeau2]

I live in NYC, and have been around the block in terms of attending various boxing gyms that charge people way too much money to train at these gyms. In Manhattan, it seems that 90% of the gyms are more geared toward workout sessions than training serious boxers.

I found a nice small gym next to where I live that is actually focused on boxing, however I've recently been feeling unfulfilled since I'm 27 and most of the people who come in are younger and less experienced in the sport.

Is there any gym out there (particularly in NYC) that is actually geared toward training people who have potential to be professional boxers, and aren't just trying to take your hard-earned cash? Or do you just have to put up with all the BS of going to the gym on a regular basis in order to eventually get noticed by a good trainer who will train you for free?

At this point, I'm already considerably past the beginner stage, and am only really advancing by going to the gym in terms of being able to work on the bags. The sparring situations aren't doing anything for me, since 90% of the people I spar with are doing it for fun and aren't actually focused on becoming skilled boxers.

If anyone knows of a good gym in NYC with a reasonably good rate, my ears are open.

You have a number of concerns. You have to separate them and deal with them as separate issues.

a) A place to put in work has everything to do with you and not a gym. As a professional, or serious fighter, you have to train with the right intensity and put in time... Doing reps, roadwork etc can be done in any gym for these activities. Reps for the chest press done at orlando's special gym are the same as reps done in the weenie hut 24 hour nautilus house. you just have to work at a higher intensity as someone who is in training. Develop good training habits which apply anywhere.

b) Your boxing routines will be determined by a coach. Everyone is different in this respect, once we accept that we all have to slog (see above). Maybe you need cardio, or work on strengthening core...but your coach should determine this.

c) Find a great coach...not a trainer per se, a coach who will actively shape you and who you see eye to eye with. In my day most fighting arts teachers would go with you to a specific gym if they do not have a base, most have a base, sometimes even their basement.

Its more important you get a coach that can teach you than a great gym...I'm a martial arts guy and here is an analogy:

I introduce you to Master Hong and he is the best and most impressive and a red belt with 50 years experience... then I tell you to also check out this guy who is a bit of a stand off... he is a black belt and has really good credentals but is demanding...

So you go to master hong and he says "we start training today?" Yu say "Great!" he says "ok line up front kick one two three four, five.... ok forward block one two three four.... then he says "great" pushups one two three four.... You leave there feeling good physically but something is lacking... you just poo poo the feeling and then remember about this other guy...well just for shets and giggles you decide to check him out...

he says "show me a front kick" you do your master hong special one two... he stops you and says "Ok when you do that kick, turn your back hip out and relax from your pelvis, drop" and then he says, "show me a strike" and he tells you 'when you do that strike, its like a sword cut, relax the shoulders, and extend your hitting hand more, and stretch off that back leg to get stability, and reach when you drop.'

Now question; Who in this case is "your coach" versus your "trainer"? And in learning mode, who would you rather have to direct your quality time? I don't know about you...but I can do master hong's program without master hong...but getting legitimate feedback about improving body, developing good habits, is what a real coach or teacher does.

Hope this helps...many people don't know that these are different. Yes sometimes a trainer is a great teacher, but essentially they can have different roles, even if I have the names mixed up.

[Rockin']

Just find somebody who impresses you with their knowledge of the sport. Not who beat who in 1974 or who held whatever title at whatever time. Find somebody who can introduce you to the art rather than the arts history. Find somebody that knows the nuts and bolts of the fight. Anybody can recite the history of boxing, but not everybody can detail how the fights go down. Just let me say, if you walk in to a gym and it looks like somebody invested millions, chances are that there will be NOBODY who knows a damned thing 'bout no boxing on their trainers roster...…..Rockin'

[WonderMonkey]

You have a number of concerns. You have to separate them and deal with them as separate issues.

Your whole post was excellent. I enjoyed reading it.

[billeau2]

Your whole post was excellent. I enjoyed reading it.

Welcome, also you guys have incredible references. Youtube has some great boxing teachers who analyze fights and techniques. You can learn a lot that way.

[OctoberRed]

Welcome, also you guys have incredible references. Youtube has some great boxing teachers who analyze fights and techniques. You can learn a lot that way.

Zelenoff is certainly not one of them.

[billeau2]

Zelenoff is certainly not one of them.

Sure he is...watching Zellenoff one can see exactly what doing things wrong will result in.

[OctoberRed]

Sure he is...watching Zellenoff one can see exactly what doing things wrong will result in.