Becoming a boxer, advice needed

[DugzBoxing]

Okay, right. You've all convinced me to get in there asap haha, I'll look at joining a club by next week, I already have one in mind. And yeah I'll really put in A LOT of effort I'll be in there every single day that I can and train for as long as I can.

I have time to train every day (although that may not be possible due to the chance of getting injured etc, idk) I only currently have a part time job where I work two and a half hours a day so I can start my morning by my usual run, with workouts before and after it, this involves sit ups and shadow boxing etc and other activities. Then go to work for two and a half hours, then relax at home for an hour and watch boxing videos on youtube for tips etc, so far they've all been really helpful and have built my confidence in throwing jabs, upper cuts, right hooks and getting better with my foot movement. and then I can get ready to hit the gym. I think I'll go to the gym five days a week and do swimming on the weekends.

That's basically my plan to remain fit as of now.

I think I already have a very good diet planned out which I've already started but I've got nothing to lose by asking a professional on their opinion etc. I'm really hoping I am able to go for my run tomorrow :/ my right ankle feels a bit sprained.

Make sure you learn to wrap your hands. I am telling you from my experience. Order a pair of hand wraps and watch videos on YouTube showing how to do it.

Where are you from? I would think things are different in the US?

[PRINCEKOOL]

Do not starve yourself or focus on calories seriously 'This will just cause your psychological stress, boxers/athletes don't need these extra stress variables'. 'And don't think about weight loss, just focus on training and forming good eating habits' I.E Not eating sweets, only drinking water and adding whole grains to your diet. And over time these good habits will have a accumulative effect on your body and training. This is a much better idea than wasting your money on slim shakes etc

Train smart also, you want to leave every training session inspired not laying on the floor 'While you are recovering and learning things technically' But from my experience in boxing gyms, it is hard to pace oneself due to the culture in boxing circles. 'Depends whether your gym is a old school type gym'.

[RossyJames]

Make sure you learn to wrap your hands. I am telling you from my experience. Order a pair of hand wraps and watch videos on YouTube showing how to do it.

Where are you from? I would think things are different in the US?

That's one thing I've been thinking about and it's why I can't join straight away, I don't own a pair of boxing gloves etc and I'll look a bit ****** if they don't provide them there. Besides, I would like to own my own gloves anyway for memories etc of them being my first set of gloves.

I'm guessing I don't need to buy a tracksuit, I could start out in trackies, trainers and a plain top right?

I'm from the UK.

[RossyJames]

Do not starve yourself or focus on calories seriously 'This will just cause your psychological stress, boxers/athletes don't need these extra stress variables'. 'And don't think about weight loss, just focus on training and forming good eating habits' I.E Not eating sweets, only drinking water and adding whole grains to your diet. And over time these good habits will have a accumulative effect on your body and training. This is a much better idea than wasting your money on slim shakes etc

Train smart also, you want to leave every training session inspired not laying on the floor 'While you are recovering and learning things technically' But from my experience in boxing gyms, it is hard to pace oneself due to the culture in boxing circles. 'Depends whether your gym is a old school type gym'.

I used to eat a lot of bad things such as crisps, chocolates, sweets, energy drinks, drink coke etc and drink alcohol a lot but I've stopped all of that. I now only eat healthy meals, I actually do use slimming shakes but I don't go obsessive on them, I still have at least a meal a day. Besides that I only drink water or milk occasionally, but it's mainly water. Should I stop with drinking milk on it's own?

I understand what you're saying about not needing the extra stress about being obsessive over losing weight and calories but to me it isn't stress, it's something that needs to be done. It isn't getting me down at all, if anything it's making me feel more positive because I know it's another goal of mine that I'm accomplishing. I'm known for being a very happy and a positive person so being strict on losing weight won't give me stress.

[DugzBoxing]

That's one thing I've been thinking about and it's why I can't join straight away, I don't own a pair of boxing gloves etc and I'll look a bit ****** if they don't provide them there. Besides, I would like to own my own gloves anyway for memories etc of them being my first set of gloves.

I'm guessing I don't need to buy a tracksuit, I could start out in trackies, trainers and a plain top right?

I'm from the UK.

All you need is gloves and wraps. Wear whatever you like. Make sure your footwear is comfortable as you will have to be good with your feet.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Everlast-...ZK3IMIBwUsBL4w

Everlast gloves are hard wearing. I know a lot of people use Adidas for training but the wrist protection isn't great.

[RossyJames]

All you need is gloves and wraps. Wear whatever you like. Make sure your footwear is comfortable as you will have to be good with your feet.



Everlast gloves are hard wearing. I know a lot of people use Adidas for training but the wrist protection isn't great.

I actually went to the boxing gym I was wanting to join today, before I went swimming and I really don't know what to think now, I'm still not a member and it was all my ****** fault LOL.

I got there, nobody was at the reception desk so I thought I would check out for a trainer or someone who works there in the actual gym. I asked the first person I seen in there and he said 'Clive' the owner and only trainer for today will be in soon, he told me to put on some gloves and get stuck in (They provide gloves there) so I did. At first I thought this was some sort of test to see if I would be a waste of time or not, but 40 minutes later I began wondering...

An hour passes and children started coming in with parents, I continued punching bags but a little later on when I heard parents giving out I went over and asked one of them if they knew Clive and asked him what was going on, the parent told me that the class for children was supposed to start at twelve, it was quarter past when I looked at the clock. Still no sign of this Clive.

It reached half past and I thought to myself, there's no point in sticking around because even when he does arrive (if at all) he won't have time to talk to me as he would have a class to teach. So I left. I was undecided if I was going to go back or not. Apparently there was a big fight on last night hosted by his gym but besides that I was left confused.

I've only just browsed through their Facebook page now as I was looking to see if some sort of apology would be on there and explanation for why he no showed and I noticed a post stating that classes for today are cancelled. I was questioning his punctuality all day long and cursing until I seen that post haha, I've calmed down now.. My bad for spending less time on the internet I suppose. I guess I'll go back another day.

[DugzBoxing]

I actually went to the boxing gym I was wanting to join today, before I went swimming and I really don't know what to think now, I'm still not a member and it was all my ****** fault LOL.

I got there, nobody was at the reception desk so I thought I would check out for a trainer or someone who works there in the actual gym. I asked the first person I seen in there and he said 'Clive' the owner and only trainer for today will be in soon, he told me to put on some gloves and get stuck in (They provide gloves there) so I did. At first I thought this was some sort of test to see if I would be a waste of time or not, but 40 minutes later I began wondering...

An hour passes and children started coming in with parents, I continued punching bags but a little later on when I heard parents giving out I went over and asked one of them if they knew Clive and asked him what was going on, the parent told me that the class for children was supposed to start at twelve, it was quarter past when I looked at the clock. Still no sign of this Clive.

It reached half past and I thought to myself, there's no point in sticking around because even when he does arrive (if at all) he won't have time to talk to me as he would have a class to teach. So I left. I was undecided if I was going to go back or not. Apparently there was a big fight on last night hosted by his gym but besides that I was left confused.

I've only just browsed through their Facebook page now as I was looking to see if some sort of apology would be on there and explanation for why he no showed and I noticed a post stating that classes for today are cancelled. I was questioning his punctuality all day long and cursing until I seen that post haha, I've calmed down now.. My bad for spending less time on the internet I suppose. I guess I'll go back another day.

Boxing gyms can be all over the place as everyone's focused on getting on with things rather than greeting people. It seems like more of a drop in rather than boxing lessons which some gyms offer.

The gym you went to clearly prioritises U16s and experienced fighters. You need to get yourself on that level and keep turning up. Trust me, it may have been awkward for your first time, however, do try that gym again because it will help you mentally. The old school boxing gyms shouldn't look fancy and will seem disorganised and have a bit of arrogance to them.

The best sessions are on weekdays (nights) and there will be more adults surely. Saturday lunchtime does seem like a children's session.

What city is it in?

[RossyJames]

It's in Derby, now that I've seen classes were cancelled on their Facebook page I'm feeling okay about it and will be going back again. (I'm unsure if you've seen my edit of my post, I posted before I seen their post and have recently made adjustments) I wasn't going there to join etc more to ask questions. I was on my way to swimming anyway and they're both in the city center or close to it so I thought why not. But when I got told to get stuck in I couldn't resist as I don't have a punching bag at home etc.

I've messaged their page on Facebook with my questions, it says they get back within a day to people. But you see, I can keep on going and punching bags and watching videos on youtube for tips etc but I do need training as well. I understand that they won't put a lot of time in with me at first but a little bit of time, I would appreciate. They hold boxersize classes for adults and I know the time that they're on so I will go half an hour before one of those starts. I'll see how the class is run before I join as a member, you can pay a fee of £4.00 per session so I'll do that next time. I'm looking for a club where I can be trained as well as working on my own otherwise I won't learn what I want to. I can punch air at home, beats paying £16.00 per month, so hopefully training is a part of it.

[RossyJames]

Thanks for all your responses guys, but I've got it worked out now. The gym replied to me five minutes ago and told me that I would be best off in their Charity boxing classes if I want to become an amateur boxer, they told me that I don't have to fight if I don't want to which is good for me at the moment. But training will cost, so I will be getting training in this class which is what I am after.

They've given me the times etc so I'll happily be there.

[DugzBoxing]

Thanks for all your responses guys, but I've got it worked out now. The gym replied to me five minutes ago and told me that I would be best off in their Charity boxing classes if I want to become an amateur boxer, they told me that I don't have to fight if I don't want to which is good for me at the moment. But training will cost, so I will be getting training in this class which is what I am after.

They've given me the times etc so I'll happily be there.

Nice one. Hopefully you'll enjoy the intensity and fun in the sessions ahead. Keep researching about the sport and learn things before sessions.

You can film yourself shadow boxing, hitting the bag, sparring etc. and upload it here to get lots of advice.