Originally Posted by Wade187
I've been trying to work out for a while but I'm a slim guy and don't mind my appearance at all, but would like to be in better shape and really have no motivation. I've heard boxing is one of the best ways to get in shape, and honestly I would love to learn to box, but at the moment I work monday through friday from 9-6 and don't know anywhere I can go to learn, but I'll be going back to school in september and will have more time on my hands. So I'm just wondering if there's anything I can do for now to get started on my own, any way to build technique etc. Also I don't plan on pursuing this as a career or anything but just curious if it's even common for anyone to learn this late (I'm 21) and actually be good?
In order to box, you need to be motivated. If I were you, join the local boxing gym as opposed to a regular fitness gym that has boxing classes, usually those instructors are just there for an hour to get your cardio up and don't give a F about form and technique. Once you join a local boxing gym, now you have to find a right trainer that suit your needs. Me personally, I've had a few that I wasn't feeling and had to go to someone else. But once you have the right trainer, when you go to the gym make sure you're there to do work. You don't want to waste your time nor your trainers (and obviously your money).
As far as how to find a good boxing gym, many gyms offer a day pass for you to try out and see if you like it. And as far as hours all gyms are different, but most of them open early like 6am-7am.
I know you said you're not looking to fight competitively, but it's always good to atleast spar once after all that hard work you will be doing in the gym. Because once you do that you will realize that there is so much more to learn about boxing, and that's where the extra motivation to work harder should come in. The workouts can be strenuous, the typical boxing workout INSIDE THE GYM (excluding road work) for me is starting off running 2 miles on the treadmill, then 20 mins of jump rope no break. Then I do an exercise where you grab some light weights (2-3lbs) and lay down on the floor and throw about 300-400 punches up in the air with each hand, then a bunch of different ab exercises from bicycles to rows to hanging leg raises etc etc. Then shadow box for 3 rounds (3 mins a round if you didn't know) Then I hit the heavy bags for 5-6 rounds, you don't have to do so many but the heavy bags are my favorite, then if you want you can go to the uppercut bag, then the double end bag for 3 rounds, and end it with speed bags for 2-3 rounds for the extra burn for your shoulders. Hardest part for me honestly is doing my abs, the other stuff is easy for me. Oh don't forget footwork also, it is VERY important to work on footwork, if you play basketball, you can somehow relate the footwork to boxing so the transition was kinda easy for me on that front. Sparring is fun too, just be loose and confident, think too much in the ring and it'll already be too late. Always keep your hands up too, you're not Mayweather, alot of trainers will slap you upside your head with his focus mitt if your hands are down at any given time in your workout, it's their way to remind you that your hands should always be up, whether you're shadowboxing or hitting the bags.
Watching videos to learn proper technique is cool, but it's way better to get a trainer to analyze you when you throw a punch. Joe Frazier has a great book called Fight like a Pro (if I remeeber correctly) Also Rocky Marciano has a book which I forgot the name of. Expertboxing.com is a great site that deals with all facets of boxing including diet and the mental aspects of it, I always learn something new on there. Any other questions feel free to ask.
