Learn how to box for the first time by following this guide. Whether you are interested in boxing as a hobby or want some new skills, these lessons will teach all of the basics of boxing and allow you to start punching people.
Boxing is a sport that has been around for hundreds of years. It’s one of the most popular sports in the world, and it’s also an easy way to get into shape. Amateur boxing near me is a great place to start. Read more in detail here: amateur boxing near me.
Note from the editor: Martin Schatz has written a guest article for us.
People engage in boxing for a number of reasons and objectives. Some people participate in the sport as a means of self-defense, others for fitness, and still others to compete. All of these are admirable objectives, but the emphasis of this three-part series will be on individuals who want to participate in amateur contests via USA Boxing.
We’ll go over how to identify and choose a boxing gym, as well as how to choose a coach, in this first segment.
Locating a Gym
First and foremost, an ambitious fighter must locate a training facility. Despite the growing popularity of boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA), this is sometimes easier said than done. To begin, bear in mind that not just any location that advertises “boxing” would suffice. We’ve compiled a list of gym characteristics to keep an eye out for for your convenience.
Look for a real boxing gym. This is a boxing gym that only teaches boxing. This excludes any martial arts school that “additionally” teaches boxing. If you want to become a well-rounded martial artist, look for a school that teaches ground fighting in addition to their stand-up techniques. However, this article is about boxing and boxers, and most MMA gyms lack the A) quality of coaching and B) amount of sparring partners required to become a good amateur boxer. You’ll also have to share the ring with Muay Thai courses, the floor area with Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners, and so on. Believe me when I say that an MMA school with boxing “lessons” is not the place to perfect your skills.
This leads me to my next point…
Most (but not all) gyms with scheduled boxing classes should be eliminated. Classes are wonderful for fitness buffs and enthusiasts, and I’m sure many grappling sports are taught this way as well, but they don’t build a great boxer. As boxing and kickboxing have grown in popularity, a slew of gyms have sought to cash in by providing training and programs in the sports. There’s nothing wrong with boxing courses, but they’re typically not designed to help you become a better boxer. In order to provide the best of both worlds, several high-quality boxing gyms have begun to expand class periods. In the rear, the lads are prepping for fights, while a 7:00 pm boxing class is grooving to the newest top 40 rhythms. That’s fine and dandy, and I’ve seen several highly reputable gyms do that. In fact, my favorite gym, where I used to workout, was set up in this manner. I wouldn’t rule out these hybrid establishments outright; just do your homework on their fighters and trainers.
Any gym where the only people who have fought previously are the instructors and trainers should be eliminated. That tells you right away that whenever you get some competence, you won’t be able to find enough good sparring partners. The gym setting necessitates getting your colleagues prepare for their battles and having them assist you in getting ready for your own. You’ve outgrown it before you’ve even put on a pair of gloves if you’re the lone prospective fighter in the gym.
Choosing a Coach
Most genuine boxing gyms use a number of private contractors as instructors and trainers. Some of them are buddies, while others are foes, and yet others are competitors. I’d chat to the owner/manager/guy-at-the-front-desk about what you’re looking for after you’ve settled on a gym. He’ll inquire about your objectives, experience, age, and so on. He would often propose a certain coach to you, making your task simpler. Once you’ve been introduced, you’ll very certainly be asked the identical set of questions you just answered. The instructor will most likely put you through a workout if you have any prior expertise. He’ll hold the focus mitts for you, keep an eye on you while you strike the bags and shadow box. You want to find someone with whom you can have a wonderful relationship. I like seeing how he interacts with the other members of the gym. Is he liked, or at the very least respected? Who else does he put through his paces? These are some of the qualities I seek for in a coach, although you may value other qualities:
1. Does he have any current amateur boxers under his tutelage? It would be ideal if he had men your size and degree of expertise. This way, if no one else is available on a given day, you’ll always have someone to spar with.
2. Is he a hard worker himself? Is he paying attention to what his fighters are doing? When my coach is working with someone else in the ring but spots me on the other side of the room and screams at me to stop fooling about, I always appreciate it. It is important to him that I follow the rules.
3. Is he on time, not too buzzed, and intellectually present? Unfortunately, many modern trainers and instructors are former boxers, and boxing is a difficult sport. There are a lot of broken-down ex-pugs who are broke and at bottom, many more than one would assume. Boxing is all they know for some of these people, which is why they are still in gyms. It’s just the only method they’ve ever known to earn money. I recommend searching for a coach that still has a great enthusiasm for the sport and is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of fighters.
It’s time to get your feet wet and jump in once you’ve chosen a gym and a coach. However, as a newcomer, you may be concerned about how you should behave at a boxing gym. Next time, we’ll talk about how you should conduct yourself and workout in the gym.
What additional recommendations do you have for locating a reputable boxing facility and coach? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of Amateur Boxing for Beginners: A How-To Guide
Amateur boxing is a sport that requires skill and endurance. Weight classes are used in amateur boxing to determine the weight of the boxer. The first class is called “lightweight”. Reference: amateur boxing weight classes.
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