so many gyms seemed more focused on using boxing to improve fitness instead of actually teaching boxers how to box. what do you look for when choosing a gym? is it bad if trainer hasnt trained any good boxers? how far would you be prepared to travel and pay? avoid gyms that have gym wars?
Everyone in the gym should be shouting "hard work!" "dedication!" & should be throwing you into a spar with everyone surrounding the ring laughing at you when you get rocked and drumming on the canvas shouting "fresh meat!"
What are your goals? Depending on your age and experience, a lot of more serious trainers aren't necessarily going to spend the time to really try and make you a great boxer. That said, usually enough money will get you private lessons. But generally speaking I would look for a reputable gym that has some pro fighters in it. They don't have to be champs, but you want a gym where guys are training to fight competitively bc if they're **** trainers they'll be found out more quickly. I got great boxing instruction as a total novice and in my 30s at an mma gym that only does a couple boxing classes a week but the boxing teacher was a pro fighter and so the conditioning and training drills were good. So you can get lucky with a good instructor even if the gym isn't stellar.
Truth is even in competitive gyms there aren’t really good trainers anymore, boxing is so low skilled right how it’s depressing.
Having had to jump around gyms often, I've been in quite a few near me. I've always thought the best gyms are the ones where you look forward to going back, no matter the goal. It doesn't matter how they approach the training in terms of focussing on fitness, skills, etc; because if you want to go back every couple days, you're going to develop fitness, athleticism, skills and experience naturally. Now, that's not to say I'd recommend a gym that does nothing but bagwork, skipping and running, but if you find that entertaining, by all means go there. This is if you're boxing recreationally, rather than competitively. It's a bit different if you're a fighter, not just someone who boxes for fun. If you're a fighter, I think what needs to be a priority is a gym that you progress at. Whether it's because they've got a good stable to learn from via fighting against; whether they prioritise skill based training; whether they get you loads of fights; or whether the coach is savvy enough in terms of strength and conditioning training to improve you as an athlete. It doesn't matter how IMO, just so long as you can feel yourself improving. You still need to look forward to going back, as well though. Nobody's at their best if they're disinterested with the process.
See if they will let you come and watch the sparring. I think you can learn a lot about a coach in how they handle the sparring. Do they promote safety for the participants, do the boxers seem like they know what they are doing, how is the level of instruction coming from the coach I would also see the conditions and the amount of equipment that they offer. Also it may be a good idea to go on their social media page and see if they have any fighters that have been successful or to see if the pictures include the same people as in guys come in and come back not come in once and then disappear. My coach puts a lot on social media and it shows improvements in many of the guys he trains which serves as a pretty easy testimonial to see it on screen a guys day one side by side with day sixty
