Getting into boxing at a later age.

Honestly, sounds like a cross-training gym that is more focused on the fitness aspects of boxing instead of technique.

But never hurts to give it a go since your not under contract. Taking the time to find a good gym/trainer is crucial if your serious about a commitment to boxing.

 

Um. This is not boxing...

 

There's a difference between "mitt work" with a random guy that has a class qualification and a boxing coach. Also a difference between hitting a bag and punching a bag for boxing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzfeFg6CiRs

 

I'd definitely check out the Wild Card place, especially if it's affiliated with Freddie Roach.

 

Ask to see if you can sit in on a session and watch the training, what kind of things they are working on and how the trainer is with the fighters. This will quickly tell you most of what you need to know before any money is even spent.

As for the membership goes, this is really a personal call. Myself, I would just pay the monthly fee. Most people stick around in boxing till they start getting punched, that's what I've seen. And if it is a reputable gym, you probably won't be sparring till you have some basics down so it will probably go past a month. I think I had 2-4 months before I started sparring but its been a while.

 

No, but nothing he is going to be doing on day one anywhere is "boxing".

Yeah, and there's a difference between what's suitable for a novice (entirely uninitiated on all boxing-related fronts: conditioning, the basic ABC's of technique, etc.) and what you would be looking for in a gym at the intermediate or experienced level.

To say that classes of the sort described aren't serviceable to at least get one's feet wet and get a rough idea of what a boxing workout involves would be snobbery for its own sake.

 

If you ever do manage to make enough money from boxing to not need a second/third job, you will have the distinction of being the first person in the history of the universe to do so by beginning your career asking for advice on an internet forum.

You aren't too old to have a good amateur career, though. Particularly if you can get down to 178/165.

A lot of people aren't realistic about how poorly fighters are paid. You'd need to fight once a month just to s****e by unless you became very good and VERY connected. I know guys with over 80 amateur fights that struggle to find opponents/shows. I'm talking less than 10 fights in a 5 year period.

So...harsh reality says you had best find something you can make a career out of and let boxing be a way to make some side cash. Don't count on it as a career because it's a terrible return on investment even if you're good...even worse than college.

 

Also, cycling sucks for boxing and is an inefficient use of your time (unless you use it for transportation, then it's great).

Furthermore, if you actually want to become a boxer you need to go to a gym that has actual boxers. Like...ones that currently box. Anywhere that advertises the amount of calories they burn is going to be more suited to moms/fat chicks/kids/people who dksab.

Ask the trainer if they have any competitive amateurs/pros. If not, go somewhere else.

PS
Amateur weight classes go 152/165/178/201/201+

Guys your height (like me) can make 152/165 easily. I wouldn't mess around at 201/201+ unless you're a beast. I DEFINITELY wouldn't eff around with the pros anywhere above 175.

 

Yeah. I suppose it makes sense to go to a class where techniques doesn't matter at all and learn bad habits before you even begin boxing.

Think I'll start going to Body Combat classes to learn Muay Thai.