Becoming a trainer.

Hi Dan,

Yeah, it can be very hard if you are balancing work time and commitment with boxing. When I was working with the amateurs, we'd train three/four nights a week and virtually every week we'd also have to travel to shows elsewhere, which would mean eating up any other spare evening. If you have a job it can be very strenuous.
I was up at 4am, work 5am-2pm then in the gym from 4-7.30pm. And the weekends were often a write off too because there would be more travelling to shows, as most schoolboy/junior championship tournaments are held on weekends and you usually have to weigh in in the morning. And Sundays I would take a bunch of lads mountain running.

So it means giving up virtually all your social life as Ste Hawkins pointed out. And if you are working another job it can be tiring.
Also the financial element can be a struggle too, so it's great if you can get sponsorship of some kind. Bear in mind you have to pay affiliation fees, tournament entry fees for championships, insurance, travelling expenses, accomodation if required, gym overheads etc, and you have very little coming in, as boxers' subs don't stretch that far. I often had to dip into my own pocket to cover expenses. So quite often you're left knackered and broke!

I'm not trying to put you off, just highlighting it's not quite as easy as those who are unaware may think. But I can tell you, whatever sacrifices you make, whatever you give of yourself, if you really love boxing then it is worth it all. You will love it. And when you get a kid getting in that ring and giving his everything, you heart swells with pride and you get a buzz no drug would ever achieve.

At the moment I am only working with one serious boxer (and a few others who I train but who don't actually box competitively), and although we do more training-wise, it is a less gruelling schedule for me because we do it one-on-one and we do it to suit us with regards to time arrangement.
We do technical boxing training 5 times a week, fitness/conditioning training every other day, and swimming on the alternate days, and we do at least three runs up the mountain a week.

The best thing to do is look at what time you can spare, when you aren't work-committed etc, find a gym where you get on with the head trainer and ask if you can just help out when you are freely available to get to the gym. Things will evolve from there, and it will also give you time to develop your own skills and confidence as a trainer and a rapport with the boxers.
It probably isn't a smart idea to just jump straight in it at the deep end as it can be very stressful. Just take your time with it, and let things progress at their own pace.
The most important thing of all though is that you enjoy doing it, and that you do it with passion. If you don't, it rubs off on the boxers themselves.

Also, one thing you encounter in the amateur game is a whole load of bull****. There's a lot of political game playing (and you think the pros are bad!). It can be easy to get disheartened when you are trying your best and you have boxers giving it everything, only to be screwed over in one way or another. However, don't let anyone or anything discourage you. If you excuse my language - f*** 'em. Just keep on doing it for the love of the sport and for the benefit of those you coach.

When you feel the time is appropriate and you make whatever decisions you are going to make, please come on here and let us know of your progress and keep us updated. I'm telling you Dan, despite anything I've said here that may be negative, I guarantee you'll have the time of your life with it. I can't imagine my life now without being involved in boxing. I hope you get the same amount of pleasure and satisfaction out of it that I do.

 

Hi Dan,

What training quals do you have? What experience in boxing do you have? What makes you suitable as a trainer? Why do you want to train fighters? Will it be your sole income?

 

Are you still coming over Gaz, when is it? Next week?

 

There's no reason for the local club not to use you. The only thing is you'll need to pass your CRB check to prove your not a bit of a Gary. What club is your local one?

Are you employed at the moment?

I was made redundant from a well paid job earlier this year managing a security company. I decided that, based on my eye for details and experience i'd try to develop myself as a trainer. I'm already earning more then I was as a manager and i've not even advertised much yet. Plus I only work four days a week.

I've always helped out at gyms but the first thing I did was do a Fitness Instructor CYMCA level 2 Qual. It gives you a good understanding of the body and exercise systems. That in itself will put you ahead of 90% of boxing coaches in the UK- I **** you not. Coaches in the UK are generally very poor. Top end guys like Oliver Harrison, Dave Coldwell, Kevin Maree, Billy Nelson, Arnie Farnell, ingles, Breen etc etc etc are actually few and far between and the majority of coaches- even those with boxing experience have a poor understanding of 'why'.

If you have not boxed a great deal yourself you should read about boxing and trainers and watch as many fights as you can. Volunteer at a pro gym, just try and pick up any info you can. Go on the training forum read and understand the suggestions there.

There is a course that Adam Booth and David Haye are running called boxfit I think and its actually a recognised REPs qualification. I've seen the content and it is actually very, very good. The only reason I haven't done it is because it is practically word for word exactly what we already do... even the combonations are the same and it forms an excellent template for how you should train fighters.

Also look at a circuit training course with Focus... its excellent and I will be doing it when I have time. Don't be afraid to further educate yourself. It is brilliant learning new things and I am going back to college in Septemeber to study accountancy....

Any help you need let me know and also answer those questions, Where abouts in Manchester are you from? I can probably get you in one of the gyms down there as an assistant.

 

are you on about FAB? i did some coaching there. Franks a class guy and its a good lil club to start theres so many kids there but theres about 4 coaches there now maybe more. but if your persistant im sure he will eventually come round... they do usually get alot of people asking so persistance will help you mate, even if your ringing every 3 weeks etc they will eventually let you come down im sure.

 

jeff your a gent, great to see you encourage guys into coaching, the more the better, the uk have far better boxing coaches than any other nation, other nations may have a greater selection of fighters thats all.

 

I'm seeing you later Billy.... Come on John Simpson. I like Truscott he's a tidy boxer but i'd like to see Simpson get a deserved win tonight.

 

who would you say could learn you the most in terms of british coaches?(beside yourself of course) :good say the top 3?

 

I am bored of my job and want o become the next Calzaghe. Anywhere near Brighton Budd?!

 

it would be very unfair to mention a top 3 coz there are alot of good coaches in uk,farnell as a stable full of talent,david coldwell very intellegent,enzo has achieved wonders, oliver harrison and kevin maree are excellent as well.the uk has a wealth of talented coaches which is good for the future of the sport.

 

What do you think of Enzo then Bill?

He get's a lot of bad press with fans, I believe a lot unwarrented.