Finding a Good Gym/ Trainer

[lilrip133]

Now that I'm out of college and done with running, I want to really get serious about boxing. I dabbled in some self taught methods a few years ago, but quickly had to drop them because a) there was no gym and I was teaching myself bad habits and b) running was paying for my scholarship, therefore, focusing on any other athletic activity was jeopardizing my performance. I still have been using the heavy bag for conditioning from time to time and reading/ watching videos tons, but haven't actually trained at all.

So I went to a boxing gym yesterday to check it out and try to talk with someone about beginning training. It wasn't exactly what I expected, as it was some sort of boxing fitness class, and the trainer just basically grabbed me and had me jump in, I worked out for about an hour, and then he was asking people if they wanted to sign up. Not really my cup of tea since I want to actually be competitive and technically sound. If I want fitness, I'll just go work out myself with all of my bad habits and suck but look smexy.

That said I have tons of questions but here are the main ones:

What are some key things to look for/ questions to ask of a trainer?

What price range should I be expecting to pay?

Do most gyms allow you to come and go at your own convenience once you have a membership? Or do you only come as often as your trainer or classes are offered?

Do you recommend classes starting out? Or is 1 on 1 the way to go from the beginning?

Is anybody on here from the Atlanta area and have any recommendations?

[MalikKnucklez]

Whatsup, fam.

There are a few things to consider when trying to look for a trainer. But, the best advice I can give you is to spend a significant amount of time in the gym around the trainer and his pupils before making a decision. Sometimes this can take months.

The best way to judge a trainer's ability is by studying the people he has taught. Walk into the gym and observe how they work with their fighters. Do they engage their fighters, are they didactic (bland/straight forward) with their delivery of instruction? are they dynamic, flexible, etc. Also, how often do their fighters make adjustments? Most importantly, are you able to REMEMBER & UNDERSTAND what they say easily. (some trainers are great at giving u little "sayings" or "phrases" to remember certain moves/techniques, they dont just say dumb s**t like "stick and move, stick and move!" or "keep your hands up!")

The best three assets I think a trainer should have is knowledge of the sport, an ability to communicate and the ability to motivate. But everybody is different, and every trainer has a different style. You gotta find a style that suits you.

The most important thing I'd advise you to keep in mind is that a good trainer is always a "specialist". When I mean every gym/trainer has a different "style", that also applies to the School of Boxing that they belong to. And this will significantly affect the things you learn. Ask about their experience in the game. This can depend even on location/neighborhood or nationality/background of the fighters & trainers.

For example, what you will learn in a "Cuban" gym will differ from what you learn in an "American" gym. Some gyms place more focus on the strategical/ technique aspect of the game, others on the strength & conditioning, etc.

You might be thinking that the best trainer for you is an "all-round" trainer. But realistically, that doesn't necessarily mean the most effective. A good trainer "cuts out the extra meat", meaning he analyzes u well, and is good at identifying YOUR strengths & weaknesses, and focuses 90% of his time on just improving those, instead of trying to teach you EVERYTHING there is to know about boxing. A good trainer isn't trying to make you the next Ali, he's trying to make you the best You.

Price ranges vary depending on trainer. some will charge you $15, i've seen some trainers charge up to $50. Some gyms just offer you a flat yearly fee, and you work out the schedule with the trainer.

Hope this helped, bro. Good luck!

[lilrip133]

Thanks sounds like some great advice to take going into my search. There's about 3-4 gyms within reasonable driving distance of where I live, so I'll head out to #2 tonight and see what it looks like.

If I find a gym with a good environment, good enough equipment, etc I guess I'll settle down there and observe for awhile before getting with a trainer.

[chico 305]

If you want to cut the "boxing fitness" gyms from a boxing gym call the gyms up and ask if they have a active amateur program. If your looking for boxing training and not boxing cardio, call them up and say your interested in becoming a amateur boxer.

It's hard for a trainer to put in work with you if you have no goals of becoming something in the sport, if your serious about boxing a trainer will be serious with u, there's no need for them "wasting" there time busting there ass to fix your mistakes if off -rip they know all u want is to defend yourself better in the streets or whatever the case may be (unless your doing some 1 on 1 training and paying the upper end bracket of personal training to them)


If you want to learn boxing then you must be willing to goal yourself to AT Least to do some amateur bouts,



Ask if they have a active Amatuer Program, let them know you don't know much but eager to learn, dedicate your time and in hopes become a amateur boxer with time. You'll catch a trainer's eye thats willing to work with you for more than just the pay check if you show that dedication.

Good Luck

[lilrip133]

thanks very much for the advice, that's what I'm really looking for. I'll make sure to mention that right off the back.

[chico 305]

trust me man, if i knew this when i wanted to become a amateur boxer i would of been 100 times further than where im at now. i spent so much wasted time in gyms thinking im learning boxing when it was just some cardio class and in gyms where coaches dont even guide u.

there are a few gems in every city but a whole bunch of **** gyms surrounding them.



Also, a great way of finding a great gym is go to a local amateur boxing event and see the gyms that are performing there.. Look at the coaches on the corner and see how they conduct and ifs in a manner youll be good with..

Also, see the competition that would be in your weight class, if u notice a boxer that catches your eye with your body frame and a fighting style u see yourself doing see if he's a local cat and just join the gym he's repping.. soon enough you'll be sparring him getting that experience in.


if your still in the ATL u can start at your local Boxing PAL
http://www.atlantapal.com/

[chico 305]

http://www.gaboxing.org/
^ for amateur boxing events in GA

http://www.sugarbertboxingacademy.com/paul.html
^ this is a well known GA boxing gym that they do a lot of amateur boxing shows in. If your close to this gym I suggest check this one out.

A friend of mine from Miami went there and competed.

[lilrip133]

Thanks for all the great tips, you've really been a ton of help. Just came from Hitsville in Atlanta talking with one of the coaches, Musa Muhammad. Showed me some videos of himself working with fighters currently at the gym, and had a good all around conversation. GA Golden Gloves was a couple months ago, but I'm having a tough time finding the results. I'd like to see where the winners of my weight class came out of. I may go check out that gym you posted in Doraville tomorrow. It's a little bit of a drive, but with the success that's come out of there, I think it's worth it.

I feel like I'm at least headed in a solid, sensible direction thanks to you guys and I really appreciate it. Hope to have some good results to report back in the future.

[lemuelmayers]

You can look for a gym within your vicinity so that it will be easy for you to go there even after work. Also,you may want to use a personal trainer regularly or occasionally. Find out if the gym provides any personal training as part of your membership. Also ask about any restrictions on bringing an outside trainer in if you think you'll want to do that.

[greynotsoold]

Try these...
http://www.boxinggyms.com/addresses/georgia.htm
Honestly, these days, just finding a gym is hard. Go in and look around, see what they do. You can tell in a second if it a "fight" gym or a "workout" gym. Tell them what you want. There are a lot of people "teaching" boxing that know **** all nothing that talk a good game, and a lot of people that know a ton that don't sell so good. Watch and see.