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Becoming a boxer, advice needed

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    Becoming a boxer, advice needed

    I'm a 22 year old male who's spent the last three years ill, so at the moment I'm obese, I weigh 223 pounds, my height is 6'2 but as I've had no exercise in such a long time I have no stamina and am very unfit. My diet over the past three years hasn't helped neither.

    Since I became ill I always thought about what I could have done with my life if I hadn't became ill, there was a strong possibility that I wouldn't be able to walk again but in March of last year I had part of my spine removed, only a small bit of it so I'm as good as new now and it won't put any restrictions in the way of me wanting to become a boxer but for the entire year I was waiting for the all clear from my doctor to take on heavy training, I got that wonderful news last week. Yesterday I went for my first run where I took on about two miles, I of course had to stop a great load of times because my stamina is terrible but the point is that I did it and didn't give up.

    I'm wanting to make this a five day a week routine and my goal is to eventually be able to do it without stopping and increase my distance to five miles. I'm not considering becoming an amateur boxer before either of those goals are achieved. I also have the goal of doing 120 sit ups (this will increase eventually) a day in sets of 40 at a time, 100 lunges every two days, 100 squats daily and I also want to go swimming twice a week. I am also working on my flexibility as of yesterday where I do a number of stretches three times a day for around half an hour to an hour.

    I've been looking at boxing gyms to join, but this will be later on in the year when I'm a lot fitter, I don't want to go there and embarrass myself. I've found one where it also has a gym to it, I could use that but I think I'll stick to self at home fitness and running for now as it costs nothing. Some of you may think that I've left it too late at 22 but for me I haven't. I really want to do this. Of course my exercises and fitness will increase as I get fitter to be more extreme but if I take on too much at once, I could easily have a heart attack. I also spend my free time looking at punching techniques and moving techniques so I have a general idea of how to punch before I join a club. I've begun practicing in shadow boxing after watching videos on Youtube and I feel more comfortable in throwing jabs then before, I also know how to guard properly and I know how to do a correct stance.

    I'm posting this for advice, I've had a new diet since the all clear from my doctor and I've been replacing meals with slimming protein shakes so that I can lose weight and go back to my natural size. But what else can I do? I won't be able to take on too much straight away so if any of you have any beginner ideas, I'd be really grateful to hear them.
    Last edited by RossyJames; 03-08-2019, 02:39 AM.

    #2
    You can pull it off but if you haven't boxed before I don't know whether the boxing gym would notice you. In this case you need to find the right type of gym.



    Check out the link. If there are only a couple of nearby gyms then try either one. For me the closest one to me offers box fit classes. The one I have been going to since 2017 has professional fighters training there. The money I pay for the sessions is put towards the overheads of the gym and all of the associated costs of boxing shows (e.g. travel).

    Eventually you will be noticed but it takes a lot of dedication so show your face often. The more frequently you turn up, the better you'll become.

    Good luck! I think you're definitely on the right tracks and you have your head screwed on to be successful. I'm in the same boat. All the best.

    Comment


      #3
      I disagree with your whole avoiding the gym "til I'm in shape" angle. I think if you wanna be a boxer you'd go learn boxing & training with someone who can help you.

      Fair play on doing your running & other stuff & making goals, but boxers box first & foremost.

      And sh^t man if you go tomorrow or a month from now you might get embarrassed or feel a lil dumb if you can't perform to the level you wish. Being in shape for running isn't gonna put you in boxing shape so some level of embarrassment is a near lock to happen. It happens to everyone. Its not THAT big a deal. Getting better is whats important & the sooner you dive in headfist the sooner you'll be seeing goals met with boxing. Current top 168lber Benavidez was fat as f#ck when he first entered the gym.

      Good luck regardless doe.

      Comment


        #4
        Cong**** on the successful recovery. 22 is definitely not too late to start boxing and start to compete in amateurs. You will be at a bit of a disadvantage coming in without much athletic experience in the recent future and being out of shape, but no better place to lose the weight than in the boxing gym.

        I originally stayed out of the boxing gym for 6 months (August 2017 to February 2018) because I wanted to be in good shape going in. I got in good shape, I'm a year into training and have had 2 amateur fights (both in february of 2019), had a couple exhibitions in 2018.

        While I'm not regretful, looking back that's 6 months that I could've used learning and refining my boxing skills rather than my general conditioning. So I say get into the gym now! Start learning from a trainer/coach on boxing form, etc and you'll gain conditioning along the way.


        As far as running 2 miles, I would first push for running 1 mile without stopping. As tough as it gets, don't let yourself quit mentally, even if you slow down just keep jogging keep pushing. Also make sure you get a good warm up (1/2 walking or some jumping jacks, etc), and a cooldown (1/2 walk after you finish your mile run).

        Once you can run for a mile, go for a mile and a half, then for 2 miles. Just be careful about increasing your mileage too quickly (as structurally you can start to break down ie in your joints, knees, tendons, etc).

        Best of luck and cong**** again!

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by DugzBoxing View Post
          You can pull it off but if you haven't boxed before I don't know whether the boxing gym would notice you. In this case you need to find the right type of gym.



          Check out the link. If there are only a couple of nearby gyms then try either one. For me the closest one to me offers box fit classes. The one I have been going to since 2017 has professional fighters training there. The money I pay for the sessions is put towards the overheads of the gym and all of the associated costs of boxing shows (e.g. travel).

          Eventually you will be noticed but it takes a lot of dedication so show your face often. The more frequently you turn up, the better you'll become.

          Good luck! I think you're definitely on the right tracks and you have your head screwed on to be successful. I'm in the same boat. All the best.

          I've always felt that boxing or some form of fighting was to be my thing, throughout life I've never been good at anything, fired from jobs continuously etc. But with becoming a boxer I have a very good feeling about it that I can be successful at it, I feel it's what I am meant to be doing and only now it's that I am really seeing this and see that I need to give it a damn good try otherwise I know I will really regret it.

          I've actually already looked at gyms and there's one I'm really interested in joining. It trains you how to box but they don't actually do combat, so I won't be there forever it seems because I'm actually looking to compete one day. They do a charity event etc every few months so I'm looking at competing in that when I'm ready, and of course if I compete in that after it I'll be wanting to go to a boxing gym that's more sparring opponents and about actual boxing. But this gym looks like a really good starting point for me. I've looked on their website etc, their reviews all positive looking and it's easy for me to get to.

          But yeah, once I get into boxing I will work damn hard to be noticed. Okay, I lied, there's one thing I used to be good at which was gymnastics although it was a long, long time ago and it was when I was a child but I made sure I was the best in the class so I know what it's like to work hard and be competitive. Within a couple of months I was recommended for their more advanced gymnastics club where I made sure I was the best in also.

          Thank you for your response, and good luck to you too!

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by tcbender View Post
            Cong**** on the successful recovery. 22 is definitely not too late to start boxing and start to compete in amateurs. You will be at a bit of a disadvantage coming in without much athletic experience in the recent future and being out of shape, but no better place to lose the weight than in the boxing gym.

            I originally stayed out of the boxing gym for 6 months (August 2017 to February 2018) because I wanted to be in good shape going in. I got in good shape, I'm a year into training and have had 2 amateur fights (both in february of 2019), had a couple exhibitions in 2018.

            While I'm not regretful, looking back that's 6 months that I could've used learning and refining my boxing skills rather than my general conditioning. So I say get into the gym now! Start learning from a trainer/coach on boxing form, etc and you'll gain conditioning along the way.


            As far as running 2 miles, I would first push for running 1 mile without stopping. As tough as it gets, don't let yourself quit mentally, even if you slow down just keep jogging keep pushing. Also make sure you get a good warm up (1/2 walking or some jumping jacks, etc), and a cooldown (1/2 walk after you finish your mile run).

            Once you can run for a mile, go for a mile and a half, then for 2 miles. Just be careful about increasing your mileage too quickly (as structurally you can start to break down ie in your joints, knees, tendons, etc).

            Best of luck and cong**** again!
            I can understand your reasoning's for saying I should get straight in there and get on with it ASAP, especially as I'm not getting any younger but I've done research on boxing exercises and I just wouldn't be able to do them as I'm very unfit at the moment. I can only do like 40 sit ups at a time before I feel knackered so I really need to work on my fitness a little if I want to go in there and be taken somewhat seriously.

            It was the same with my running yesterday, I had to keep on stopping, I wouldn't be able to run a mile without stopping atm. You're probably wondering why I'm bothering with boxing as I seem so lazy lol but I know that I'll get my fitness back so I feel I'm not wasting my time.

            However, I have pushed my date sooner to join a boxing gym which is for the better but joining right now, I don't think they would be all that interested in me being their top student. I feel I have to do a few things to help myself before I go there and have them train me up.

            Thanks for the response!

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Eff Pandas View Post
              I disagree with your whole avoiding the gym "til I'm in shape" angle. I think if you wanna be a boxer you'd go learn boxing & training with someone who can help you.

              Fair play on doing your running & other stuff & making goals, but boxers box first & foremost.

              And sh^t man if you go tomorrow or a month from now you might get embarrassed or feel a lil dumb if you can't perform to the level you wish. Being in shape for running isn't gonna put you in boxing shape so some level of embarrassment is a near lock to happen. It happens to everyone. Its not THAT big a deal. Getting better is whats important & the sooner you dive in headfist the sooner you'll be seeing goals met with boxing. Current top 168lber Benavidez was fat as f#ck when he first entered the gym.

              Good luck regardless doe.
              I am going to be pushing my joining date to a lot sooner then I planned but I also think I want to get fitter first to make sure that sports is for me etc, if I can't keep up my running and swimming and self fitness at home then going to the gym would be a waste of my time. So far I am loving getting back into shape.

              I guess me going for runs and doing self fitness, which I will make more extreme when I get fitter, bit by bit is me seeing if I can work with myself and hit goals and targets, see if I don't give up easily etc. So far it's going to plan.

              Thanks for your response!

              Comment


                #8
                If you wanna box, you simply must get into the boxing gym asap. As long as you're showing good effort no-one will care about your current fitness levels, it's about the strive. Any decent gym will be able to give you good advice on diet, and getting the weight down, etc., the sooner the better

                Also, just to add, if you're like most people, the camaraderie that you can get from going to the boxing gym will be further motivation to keep going

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by HeadBodyBodyBody View Post
                  If you wanna box, you simply must get into the boxing gym asap. As long as you're showing good effort no-one will care about your current fitness levels, it's about the strive. Any decent gym will be able to give you good advice on diet, and getting the weight down, etc., the sooner the better

                  Also, just to add, if you're like most people, the camaraderie that you can get from going to the boxing gym will be further motivation to keep going
                  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.
                  Last edited by RossyJames; 03-08-2019, 02:24 PM.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    P.S this is a bit grim but has anyone got advice for a stinging arse when doing sit ups? with my current sprained ankle there's not all I can do workout wise. When I do sit ups I get a stinging pain in it, it feels like a wasp is up there and after like 20 sit ups the pain is just so annoying! I've tried on soft surfaces and hard surfaces, nothing makes it go away. I've also tried in different types of clothing, same thing.

                    Comment

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