I've always been really attracted to boxing, but recently i really wanted to start boxing. Theres a couple problems with that. Since im 16 my dad can decide whether or not im allowed to and hes not too happy with the idea of me boxing even though he boxed himself at a younger age than me. But the other problem is i have no boxing gyms in my town, and since i can't drive it would be at least another 5 months before i could drive to another town to box. So im looking for some advice on what i should do in the mean time. Theres a lot of karate dojos in my town and a couple within walking distance, i dont know how good they are but its something that i would try if it would help me later when i do start to box. Would that be helpful, or would it be like taking french before learning latin? If starting karate isn't a good idea are there any exerices or work outs or anything that i would help me before i start to box. Boxing is something i really want to do and any advice you can offer me is greatly appreciated. Thanks
I wouldn't bother with martial arts if you want to do boxing, they'll teach you bad habits which can be hard to drop. I'd just run if I was you and get fit and into shape if you are not already. Do sprints if you are already reasonably fit. Going along to some circuit training classes would be great too.
Run, swim, cycle, whatever. Don't teach yourself bad habits, box after you joined a gym. In the meantime get your general fitness up by being active and cleaning up your diet.
Thanks, i walk 4 miles a day to and from school and once it warms up ill start running instead. So i guess i should start with dieting.
Yea, I agree with the previous posts. Boxing is physically challenging, even to guys who are already fit. The better shape you are when you start, the better you will be for actually learning technique. It's really hard to learn proper form and technique when you're too busy gasping for air or you can no longer lift your arms because your shoulders are exhausted. So sprints, push-ups, chin-ups, and sit-ups are all in the menu. I can't attest to whether learning karate would be detrimental to learning boxing. But my trainer does make fun of the way karate folks throw punches. Maybe he's on to something.
Learn something completely different from boxing. If there is a judo, or ground fighting class nearby learn that. If there is an MMA class see if there is a jiujitsu only class. Avoid learning Muay Thai before boxing though or you will try to parry way too much imho. MMA is becoming popular and a lot of traditional Karate/Kung-Fu schools are adding MMA programs to their curriculum. Learning the basics of groundfighting could aid you later should you ever decide to fight MMA..or if you find yourself on the ground in a real fight. Good MMA schools practice hardcore conditioning like boxers too, so you can get an idea for the shape you will need to be in. Boxing is by far the best style for learning to punch and defend against punches. It's obvious why..over 100 years in it's current form practiced for money and in full contact in front of the public eye. No karate or kung-fu or muay thai class is gonna teach you better punching or defense. Don't be taken in by Kung fuey bull****..if there was an ancient technique that allowed little old men to kill enemies with a single blow..then one of these multi-millionaire competitors would have sought it out by now.
I recently found out that there is a pretty good taekwon do school near me and its been there for a long time and the guy who runs it is supposed to be a good teacher. would learning something like taekwon do that doesnt focus on punches be beneficial to getting in shape and getting used to fighting and be useful if i ever decided to do something like mma?
Get a skipping rope...you cant form bad habits on these and they take time to learn anyways, + it will improve your fitness too so ready to do lots of it when you get to a gym. Get a boxing instructional video. People say you learn bad habits but I learnt from insructional videos and managed to correct my bad habits at the gym...it did give me a good head start from the begginers.
Get into fantastic shape, and watch boxing every chance you get on TV or youtube. If you can get involved in any combat sports like wrestling or judo, that would be a good way to spend your time till you can get in a gym. Avoid anything that involves punching, because bad habits are a nightmare.
