I've thought about this before but it never seemed like the right time. Now though, I really want to start doing it, though I just have a couple of questions. Right now, I've been putting too much strain on my legs and I'm pretty sure my shin splints have come back. Because of this, I can't run, skip or do most other typical boxing fitness training. Would I be ok just working on punching and upper body movements, given my limitations? How long are you guys in the gym for? I have time to kill so would be happy spending two or three hours just learning new moves and practicing the skills, as well as getting fitter. It does sound like something I want to do, but I'm just reading over the forum and deciding whether I should or not. If any of you have any general advice as to whether to go for it, I'd appreciate that too. Cheers.
Just because you go to a boxing gym doesn't necessarily mean have to compete if that's what's bothering you. You should be just fine doing just the upperbody portion just let your trainer know so they don't think you're just being lazy. I personally go the gym 6 days a week, 2 hours each session, but not really necessary to do so unless you want to compete. I would recommend easing into workout rather than jumping straight into kicking your ass
Agree. Many gyms run free trial sessions. I paid a visit to a ~5 gyms, before I made up my mind, asking each trainer to teach me the basics, as if I had never stepped foot in a boxing gym. I got a free, solid grounding in the basics (at the good gyms), and I learned a lot about each gym along the way. If there are flaws, they quickly surface in the way a trainer might approach a newcomer and communicate the golden rules in boxing. Some were just plain wrong. Others just plopped me next to a heavy bag. Still others gave me about 3 mins of attention over a full hour sesh. I don't know how much stress your shin splints can sustain at the moment. You might get away with no running, skipping or dancing around the ring. But, I find it difficult to imagine how one could isolate a punch from lower body movement. The basic 1-2 involves stepping and/or turning your feet as well as crucially, pushing off them. Woe betide me, if I ever forget to move my feet under my coach's watchful eye! It's also impossible, say, to throw a right hook-left hook with your feet flat on the ground. You'd topple over. Any idea how long your shins might take to heal? You could try shin splint support/compression sleeves. I added sessions over a month or so, before I settled into my present training schedule. Now, I hit my boxing gym 5 days/week, 3 hr/sesh - skipping, footwork, shadowboxing, sparring, bags and mitts, all technique. I also bank 1 additional hr 4 days/week at my other gym, known for conditioning boxers - strength, HIIT, circuit, mobility. Boxing can get pretty repetitive, so I find switching up the conditioning helps to maintain a higher level of interest. Unless you want to compete - and I wouldn't compete unless my heart was fully in it - training at this intensity is unnecessary.
No lie! :bbb But, I take a 3 days off each month to cope with... womanly things. (Ugh, I hope that was not out of line.) And, my conditioning gym is shut for Easter - perfect chance to recharge. There's this lad at my gym who has been training 3-4 times/week for 2 months. Coach is letting him fight nationals in June. How do people manage to progress at several times my pace is beyond me...
Definitely do it. I wish I had the determination to go back to it. It's the only time I've been on the verge of throwing up through physical exertion.
Do the free session. They had me fill out paperwork for my first time which was just basically previous experience, name, address, phone #, etc. After that I was allowed to spectate and/or participate for the day (for free). I actually did both over two sessions.
if you want to get in shape, boxing is a good program that will help you get in shape. But , read up on shin splints, and what to do. You coach might have some insight on that. Icing your shin before and after yoru work out may help. A bit of stretching and ankle rotations may help.
