by admin on March 13, 2012
You may not be ready to enter any competitions or even spar with a live human, but joining a good gym can be one of the best decisions you make. Here are 5 great reasons why it makes more sense to join a gym… even if you’re just a beginner.
1. Knowledge - Ask any experienced boxer or fighter where they learned their skills. 9 out of 10 times their answer will be, “the gym.” In most gyms across America, there’s decades worth of knowledge just waiting to be tapped.
2. Network - Even if you’re a beginner, there’s a good chance that you’ll find someone at a gym at your skill level. Finding a good training partner will keep you motivated.
3. Equipment - This ones a pretty obvious reason, but gyms have more training equipment than you could ever hope to accumulate on your own… unless of course you’re Bill Gates.
4. Accountability - A good gym will keep you accountable for your training. It’s one thing to skip out on a workout when no one’s watching. It’s a totally different thing to do it when a coach is expecting you.
5. Fun - Finally, gyms are simply more fun. It can get boring working out by yourself. If you’re not having fun, you’re less likely to stick with the program.
by admin on February 28, 2012
Are you looking for a way to get physical exercise, relieve stress, and lose weight? Are you also fond of punching things as hard as you can? If you answered yes to the previous questions, you may want to look into boxing as a hobby. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Aren’t boxers notorious for having black eyes, broken noses, and damaged brains? Well, sure they are. But don’t worry, boxing at the hobby level is much safer than the violent affair that you see on TV. Before getting started, you’re going to need a few things.
In order to protect your hands, you’ll need to purchase some hand wraps. These are often 120-180 inches long pieces of fabric tape. They will help protect your hand tissue and bones. Next, you’ll want to get a decent pair of boxing gloves. These help to protect both you and your opponent. Finally, you’ll need something to punch. The most versatile piece of equipment that you can use is a heavy bag or a boxing dummy. Before stepping into the ring with a live human, you will want to practice punching something that doesn’t punch back.
If you’re just getting started, those basic items will suffice. However, if you plan on following through with this hobby, there are a few more things that you may want to pick up. A jump rope is cheap and incredibly useful. It will help you with your footwork, coordination, endurance, and speed. A range of medicine balls varying in weight and size are great for strength and endurance. If you have a partner that you can train with, focus mitts will also help you with your timing and striking. A good timer or stop watch is also useful for training and sparring sessions.
Now that you have amassed a good boxing starter kit, you’re ready to start training. If you’re just starting out, I recommend that you start slow and on your own. Develop a decent training regimen that mixes jumping rope, medicine ball work, and heavy bag punching. If you stick with it, you’ll start to notice pretty quick results. Once you’re comfortable staying on your toes and striking for 3+ minutes, you may be ready to join a gym. A lot of gyms have beginner classes. Do a quick search on Google to see what your area offers. As nervous as you may feel, just remember that you box better when you’re relaxed and breathing smoothly. Keep you chin tucked in, your gloves up, your feet moving, and you’ll be fine. Best of luck!
