Thinking of starting to Box

[Clark_Kent03]

Hey all,

So recently I have become interested in picking up boxing, primarily because it seems like an interesting way to get in shape/increase muscle development, etc.., but also as a hobby of sorts. I had a few questions that I thought you all might help answer.

I am 5'10 and weight between 135-140lbs. I am 23 years old. Currently a law student (for time management purposes).

So my first concern is muscle building. I have always been a naturally thin guy, so I am probably going to have to eat a ton to offset the excess calories Ill be burning off. I have done very minimal research on this, mostly because Im not sure where to look, but what people seem to say is that for muscle building, boxing isnt really that helpful and that it is more for endurance/stamina/toning. Does boxing build muscle or would I have to implement some sort of weight lifting regimen as well? I'd rather not, because I have tried to go to the gym consistently a few times before and it just doesn't hold my interest. But I guess if boxing doesnt solve that problem, I will try to work it in there. Let me know what you think.

Also, is there any sort of eating schedule that I should implement in order to gain some weight? Maybe someone could give me ideas as to what I should eat and when/how often?

Finally, what would be a good exercise/workout/training schedule? any info on length of workout or exercise, types of exercises, etc... will be helpful.

I really appreciate any information you all can give me.

[serial runner]

1. Welcome to the boards. 2nd If you scroll down and look at past post I'm sure your questions will be answered. Train hard.

[Clark_Kent03]

The problem that I am having is that many of the posts are either concerned with losing weight as opposed to gaining, and if they do talk about gaining weight, its very vague and there is a lot of talk of that this professional boxer did vs. that one. It's tough to get a sense of what will actually work. If I am 140lbs. now and I am looking to get to 150-155lbs., I just want to know if there is a way to do it by incorporating boxing and not having to go to the gym and straight lift as much. I am assuming that boxing will definitely help, but that I would have to also implement some sort of rigid calorie intake so as to offset the crazy amount of calories that i can (and most likely will burn off). I feel like that is a very specific desire, so I was hoping people might have some specific advice. and also if there is a post similar to mine, then pass that along please. thanks.

[Akyra]

try mcdonalds. hope it helps!

[Hi-Dro]

good luck TS pm if you n eed help

[danny13]

I hope law school is going well. Where do you go to school? I am actually an attorney, and I box as well. I started boxing to just try something new. I lifted weights for about 8years and then became an attorney. Naturally, I became really busy when I became an attorney and slacked big time at the gym, gained some weight, and drank way too much. I have always been a huge boxing fan and figure it would be fun to start boxing. The lifestyle itself is a healthy and good one if you take it seriously. I have become lean and muscular again and am looking as good as I did when I was 21 years old. I am 32 now. I have been boxing for 3-4 months and love it. I will be having my first amateur fight this summer and feel like I am going to do well. I started at 184, but am down to 167. However, I did not have to lose weight. I wanted to lose weight. If I eat whatever I want I will stay at about 175, but I want to be nice and lean.

Try it out! Train hard and enjoy and learn good habits and apply it to your life. There is a lot to learn from the sweet science. Enjoy it. Law school is actually a great time to start. I wish I had started back then, but I was lifting weight and playing b-ball everyday. Good luck.

[bklynboy]

Hey all,

So recently I have become interested in picking up boxing, primarily because it seems like an interesting way to get in shape/increase muscle development, etc.., but also as a hobby of sorts. I had a few questions that I thought you all might help answer.

I am 5'10 and weight between 135-140lbs. I am 23 years old. Currently a law student (for time management purposes).

So my first concern is muscle building. I have always been a naturally thin guy, so I am probably going to have to eat a ton to offset the excess calories Ill be burning off. I have done very minimal research on this, mostly because Im not sure where to look, but what people seem to say is that for muscle building, boxing isnt really that helpful and that it is more for endurance/stamina/toning. Does boxing build muscle or would I have to implement some sort of weight lifting regimen as well? I'd rather not, because I have tried to go to the gym consistently a few times before and it just doesn't hold my interest. But I guess if boxing doesnt solve that problem, I will try to work it in there. Let me know what you think.

Also, is there any sort of eating schedule that I should implement in order to gain some weight? Maybe someone could give me ideas as to what I should eat and when/how often?

Finally, what would be a good exercise/workout/training schedule? any info on length of workout or exercise, types of exercises, etc... will be helpful.

I really appreciate any information you all can give me.

Just train and eat well. I'm 5'10" and 195 (should be at 175). Our bodies are what they are. You're a naturally thin guy. I'm naturally stocky. If you train regularly and eat well you'll look good no matter how slim you are. Work your core along with the bags and aerobic and you'll have killer abs. As you lift and train you're body will demand more food and you'll put on muscle. You may not put on 20 pounds of muscle but don't sweat it.

[Trices]

Alright, first post on the board then.

I am, just as you, a naturally thin guy, but you can always gain weight. There are no shortcuts, just one way and that's eating. Now I know you're probably saying "yeah, duh...", but when you're aiming on gaining weight you gotta go into some sort of hardcore eat-eat-eat ragemode.

First off, some basic things I always try to keep at home:
1. Cottage cheese: This is probably the best thing ever. You can mix it with anything, and it always tastes good. Mix it with juice, lemonade, avocado, tuna, lime, put it in your lasagne, your salad, don't be afraid to experiment, I'm yet to find a mix that tastes bad

2. Tuna: This is a great snack, and so incredibly simple. Just open up a can of tuna and eat it straight out of the can with olive oil and some herbal salt (or whatever suits you). Try to get tuna in water, not in oil, as the oil tuna's kept in is not as good as for example olive oil.

3. Sunflower seeds and/or dryed fruit: Perfect to bring to work/school as a snack. Always carry a bag with you to have something to eat during those long afternoons between lunch and dinner.

4. Salmon: Eat salmon (or some other type of fish with lots of omega-3) once a week or more, it's important to get the right kinds of fat.

5. Olive oil: I eat a table spoon of olive oil every day, lots of good stuff in it!


To make it simple, your eating schedule from now on will be eating as often as possible. Try to eat some sort of protein at least every 3rd hour (except during the nights then, only freaks get up to eat at night ) and eat at least 7 or 8 times every day.

Two more important things: Sleep as much as possible, it's when you're asleep you're building muscles. Drink water, at least 1,5ltr every day.

Lastly, remember that this is just what works for me, and you gotta find what suits YOU best. Don't be afraid to ask, read everything on the subject of nutrition you can, not just on the internet but in books as well. It's hard to grasp at first, it's a lot of stuff to know, but as you progress in your training you'll get the hang of it!

Hope you'll find boxing fun, I know I do!

[Righthandbanger]

boxing aint for building muscle stronglifts.com if you want strength training (which every boxer should)

[Clark_Kent03]

danny13, thanks for the info. Glad to see that law school wont hold me back if I dont want it to. I actually am from NY, but I did my undergrad at UNC Chapel Hill and now I am at the University of Richmond for law school... I guess I just like those southern schools.

But yea thanks guys. It seems like the general consensus is that just eating as much as possible as often as possible (while keeping it healthy) is the way to go. And and addition to that, training hard enough should still bring the positive results, minus the weight loss. I have Spring Break coming up and Im heading to NY, so Im probably gonna start the eating this week and then hit the gym at home. Once I come back to school Im going to really hit it hard. Here's to success. Thanks again.

Oh, and feel free to keep the comments coming. Pretttty much obsessed with this forum.