HEY! how does a boxing gym work?

[vash]

kinda intimidating to go and ask the same question at an actual gym. i assume you pay a fee, and the trainer is extra? i cant punch out of a paperbag. no form, no strength. basically i hit like a girl. (unless i have lots of time to actually set up for a punch). in danger i use my elbows and knees.

are they expensive? i just want to learn some techniques. work out the stress...etc.

[VINMAN]

Basically, you end up paying someone to hit you much harder and faster than you can hit them. Thats what I found out!

Some you pay monthly. The one I went to, you paid per session which includes the trainer. Not very expensive . was about $10. an hour.

[Jims5543]

Originally posted by vash
kinda intimidating to go and ask the same question at an actual gym. i assume you pay a fee, and the trainer is extra? i cant punch out of a paperbag. no form, no strength. basically i hit like a girl. (unless i have lots of time to actually set up for a punch). in danger i use my elbows and knees.

are they expensive? i just want to learn some techniques. work out the stress...etc.

My wife took boxing lessons for the exercise. Before it was trendy to do. She intended to move onto Kickboxing and then discovered Billy Blanks and found an instructor from LA that trained under him and took her classes instead.

She can throw a mean punch and it hurts. I had her punch me in the shoulder one day to see if she really could hit hard. She can.

[kjb]

Cliff, I've been going to a boxing gym for the exercise for a little more than a year. 1-3 days a week, $10 per 90 minute session. Great work-out!

It's down in San Carlos at 6.30pm Mondays and Wednesdays and 9am on Saturdays. Let me know if you want to come try it out. I'm sure you can ask our trainer about good gyms closer to where you live.

Now, how about those turkey eggs?

/ Johan

[coloradoporsche]

I did martial arts for many years (among other sports). Then, I tried boxing and I was amazed at how fun it was and how much tougher it made me than anything I had done before.

Like you, I couldn't punch very hard when I started. But after learning the technique and practicing a lot, I became "heavy-handed" according to my instructor, which is about the biggest compliment I have ever received, athletically speaking. I can bench press maybe 135# on a good day…..but now I have a sledgehammer right cross.

Kickboxing is way overrated, IMHO. People do it because they either think they need to kick to get a good workout (women who want tight butt, etc.) or skinny guys like me who think they need to kick to have power. Most people don’t realize you use all muscles when boxing and you generate huge power from your legs and back. Best workout ever.

Don't be intimidated...just find a good instructor. Someone who will teach you and look out for you at the same time. Look for a gym that has other people with your same goals. You can work out with like-minded people and stay safe. I did run into a few punks who were dangerous to be in the ring with. But if your instructor is looking out for you, he will pair you up with safe sparring partners.

Edit: To answer your questions, I paid something like $50 per month for gym membership (unlimited gym time) and then $40 per hour session with the head instructor (worth every penny).

[vash]

this is gonna be my holiday gift to myself.

[Westy]

Plan A. You go in and get the scheet beat out of your face, then you go out with your buddies for a beer and say, "Yeah, but you should see what the other guy looks like." That's how they work.

Plan B. Come up to my area. Our Bubbas will teach you how to fight real quick.

[juanbenae]

Originally posted by kjb
Cliff, I've been going to a boxing gym for the exercise for a little more than a year. 1-3 days a week, $10 per 90 minute session. Great work-out!

It's down in San Carlos at 6.30pm Mondays and Wednesdays and 9am on Saturdays. Let me know if you want to come try it out. I'm sure you can ask our trainer about good gyms closer to where you live.

Now, how about those turkey eggs?

/ Johan

no more dicking around with johan. i am sorry for all the stuff ive ever said to yee.

[kstylianos]

Try and see if your county (or a surrounding county) offers sports programs for its residents (i.e. tennis, b-ball, etc). I actually taught an advanced tennis class for the county a couple years ago. Good fun.

It's much cheaper and you'll probably find that you'll be in the same company. At least here, the county offers beginners and advanced boxing courses. My friend and his wife have been doing it for the past 2 years. Says 'coach' reminds him of the coach from Rocky. Yes, they call him Coach and used to be a boxing coach for YEARS and does this for fun in his retirement years. At least you can get an idea if you like it or not, w/o paying the bigger bucks through a private gym.

[M.D. Holloway]

Vash,
I was a member of a boxing club in Boston for about 3 years - learned about it through a State Trooper I knew. At the time it cost me $75/month. That included ringtime and some work with a trainer. You'll have to buy your hand wraps (which I strongly suggest) and maybe even a pair of sparing gloves and some speed bag gloves - nothing too expensive. Some guys would wear a cup when they spared - I never did. They supplied the head gear but I had my own. If you do spare get a mouth piece as well (normally required). As for shoes - wrestling shoes will do but some guys wore basketball sneakers or cross trainers.

Best workout of my life 4 days a week! When in the ring, its the longest few minutes of your life! The guys were great, some had a chip but I cured that the first week. One time, some southy was given me lip and trying to impress others. I picked up a 25lb weight and throw it at him then walked towards him with a smile on. He thought I was nutz. Never a problem afterwards!

I did get my ribs cracked by a guy from Jamaca Plains - great guy out of the ring but a freak'n animal inside. He lifted me off the mat with an upper cut and I landed on my back. Knocked the wind out of me. I thought I was gonna die but in 15 minutes it was back to jump'n rope and working the bags.

I would strongly suggest anyone to do it. But like anything else, you have to commit to do it everyday or so otherwise it is a waste. It is really a great time and you get to meet people from all walks of life - the very poor minorities to the very bored rich and everything in between. You learn much about yourself and others and it build confidence and gets you into shape real fast.

[DavidI]

Vash, I am a boxing coach and have been for many years. I suggest you spend a little money (maybe $75-100) and buy your own equipment from Title Boxing Boxing Equipment

You will need a mouthpiece, handwraps (buy the ones with elastic and velcro), and bag gloves to start out. Boxing is an excellent workout and you will get into the best shape of your life.

PM me if you have any additional questions. I'll be more than happy to give you additional information. I also have some instructional tapes if you want copies.

Let me know, David

[vash]

is sparring mandatory?

[M.D. Holloway]

no, not at all. In fact there were a few girls that just went for the work outs (plus to check out the guys). I started out just for the work outs but after a few months you start wondering what it would be like. So you get into the the ring with a buddie and before you know it your pounding on eachother and you have this fantastic primal rush that is better than...well, no it's not better than that, but it is better than.....well, its not better than that either but it is pretty fun and in 3 years I only really took a beating once and it wasn't that bad really. You will be surprised. With the proper equipment and training it is a blast and what a great way to work off stress and tension.

[Drago]

"How does a boxing gym work?"

That all depends...is Tom Cruise involved in anyway?

[kjb]

Originally posted by k911sc
no more dicking around with johan. i am sorry for all the stuff ive ever said to yee.

Toby, you should give it a try too. It may give you some muscle to match that mouth.

Other than that, it'd be good to see you again.

/ J

[DavidI]

Originally posted by vash
is sparring mandatory?

No, you do not have to spar at all. If you are looking to get into shape or have a medical condition, then do not spar. However, I highly recommend sparring because it will show you that you can actually take a punch. It will give you the confidence in yourself and give you a guage of your abilities.

There are several different types of headgear that offer a variety of protection. There is a type that has a face bar that prevents contact with the opponent's glove and your nose/face. You can also select the glove weight to provide more or less protection. If/when you do decide to spar, you will start off very light with a coach to make sure you don't get hurt.

David

[kjb]

Originally posted by vash
is sparring mandatory?

No, but after working a heavy bag for while you start looking for more challenges.

/ J

[juanbenae]

Originally posted by kjb
Toby, you should give it a try too. It may give you some muscle to match that mouth.
/ J

try this on then johan, i got a heavy bag you can work.

[cantdrv55]

Originally posted by DavidI
No, you do not have to spar at all. If you are looking to get into shape or have a medical condition, then do not spar.

Is the fear of getting hit or ouchthathurtophobia, considered a medical condition?

[vash]

cantdrv. beating yourself wont help you get over the fear. share the love!