Thinking of taking boxing classes

[Quiksilver]

Hey, there's a boxing clinic that just opened up down the road from me. Thought it would be cool to give boxing a try.

Anybody here have experience with boxing, and any comments about it?

 

[6-heads lewis]

I boxed for a few years and plan to go back as a heavyweight, it kicks ass. The rush of fighting (or sparring) is unbelievable and addicting, though the minutes leading up to it are unbearable. Someone compared it to 'the green mile', its hard to disagree.

Its not pretty, though. You wont get much recognition, its painful and demanding, and it doesnt bring the aesthetic benefits of bodybuilding. I rarely fought with headgear and then only when forced, I dont advocate headgear, I recommend you research it yourself. I seem to have slightly poorer coordination and memory than before I started with slightly slurred speech, though it could just be all in my head.

Expect broken knuckles and wrists, its part of the game. To this day I cannot do pushups b/c of wrist pains and inflexibility (I could do them before), have 2 dislodged knuckles (Ive lost knuckles for a few days, they magically reappeared), and have a problem with my right thumb that causes me great pain on occasion (like typing, or gripping for an extensive amount of time).

I found that the better a fighter I became, the more humble I was. I was hoping boxing would make me the badass cigar-smoking hero in the movies, but it doesnt work that way.

 

[Quiksilver]

Okay cool, thanks.

I'm more interested in the conditioning and training than sparring, to be honest. I've heard plenty of stories about what boxing does to your head, mentally and physically.

I'm interested in learning how to use any muscle I put on, in learning how to throw a proper punch, and use my body, rather than just going to the gym for health benefits and aesthetic purposes.

I do play other sports(rugby, tennis), but neither of those teaches any sort of fight techniques.

Would I be better off just buying a punching bag/speedbag, and mucking around with it, or are there cool techniques that you learn in training?

 

[blinkwatt]

I have a buddy who is a boxing trainer and man oh man is it awesome,he keeps his cool when people try picking a fight with him who think they are "gangstas" & hard asses. He just keeps his cool and when they push him to instigate the fight,it's over lights out.

 

[mexican_player2]

I use to box here in mexico and my trainer was very good at it, he had like 10 golden globe champions.

If your trainer knows what he is doing you wont get hurt like 6 head lewis so don’t worry about it.

The first time I got injured was after a year when I fought the best dude of the whole class and he was heavier and taller than me and I just got some nose bleeding but that was it.

You should train man, and even if you are scared go to the sparring cuz you’ll get very good at fighting just wear a protector in the head and a mouthguard, and you’ll start getting a good attitude in life, you’ll be like if I can go to a ring and fight, I can do ANYTHING.

And the best thing is that once you learn it you’ll never forget, it has been a year since I left boxing but I still have the same technique and movements I just need endurance.

Also don’t be afraid to fight bigger guys, its all in the technique

Try it man, this is the most manly sport and you’ll get a lot of confidence, knowledge, make friends that can help you when somebody tries to fight with you, impress people, a lot of condition, if you want to know something else just tell me.

 

[simba_]

Definitely better than buying a bag. The conditioning is amazing (atleast where I took classes). I find that buying a bag and using it once in a while is inferior to actually attending classes. Not only because you learn technique properly, but because your forced to do conditioning training every set day instead of when you feel like it (which will end up being never ).

 

[6-heads lewis]

quiksilver, I just noticed you're in TO. Which gym opened near you? The best boxing gym here is undoubtedly Cabbagetown followed by Sully's, though the area is rough and the trainers are really serious and demanding. If you just want to get conditioned and learn some techniques, Premier Fitness has a few good locations. I know the coaches at Bloor/Islington and Dundas/Dixie.

mexican_player2, my trainer was amazing, probably the best in Ottawa. If I got hurt its b/c im stupid like that, I fought people bigger and more skilled than me without headgear (sometimes without a mouthpiece) and didnt care to defend myself at all times. I enjoyed a good beatdown every now and then, it was fun to walk past the pansies in the weightroom with blood streaming from my nose and gums.

"you’ll start getting a good attitude in life, you’ll be like if I can go to a ring and fight, I can do ANYTHING."

that's what I though initially, but it doesnt work like that. You will be more confident in confrontations, in your athleticism, in your mental toughness... but the crossover benefits are neglibile. If you want to learn how to talk to girls, go out and practice. If you want to learn how to fly a plane, go out and practice. Getting punched in the face wont help you do either, otherwise id be a pimped-out pilot.

 

[Panda 2000]

Boxing is freaking excellent. Basically, only good can come out of that. I've been training boxing for a little longer than half a year, nothing beats it. It's fun, it gets you in shape and you gain good coordination and the ability to defend yourself.

 

[chancer]

Go for it, it's really nice especially when you lift heavy and want to keep your flexiblity and speed. Overall I feel more athletic.