10 Top Tips for Starting Boxing Training
Starting your boxing training journey is an exciting path filled with growth, discipline, and self-discovery. The tips for starting boxing training that follow are tailored to help beginners navigate through the early stages of their boxing career with practical advice and effective strategies. From understanding the importance of patience and consistent practice to selecting the right gear and finding a quality boxing gym or trainer, I'll cover the essentials that every aspiring boxer should know. Let's dive into these tips and set the foundation for a fulfilling and successful boxing experience.
Take your time. The first thing to know is that this is a craft that requires years, if not decades for mastery. A common mistake I observe in beginner boxers I train is their tendency to want to compare themselves to Floyd Mayweather or Mike Tyson after only training for a few months before they've even fully gotten a grasp on basic boxing fundamentals. It takes a long time and a lot of hard work and dedication to develop your skill level. Take some videos of yourself periodically along the way so you can see how far you’ve come. I’d bet you’re better than you were, but not as good as you will be. Pop culture has fed you a steady stream of cool training montages and social media stars jumping in the ring with seemingly little combat sports background, but we're based in reality so don't let this delude you into thinking that you should be seeing results faster or discourage you by making you think that your own progress isn't as far along it should be.
Training frequency. It’s not rocket science. The more you tend to do something, the better you tend to get and the best way to get better at boxing is by practicing boxing. I recommend at least 2x per week training when starting your boxing journey. This can be supplemented with any type of resistance or cardiovascular activity that you enjoy. It doesn’t have to be running. Find something that you can stick to long-term. The best results from my clients are the ones who practice their skills outside of the gym in between sessions. You don’t have to spend an hour everyday shadow boxing, but 3-6 3-minute rounds of practicing whatever you’re currently working on, or whatever you’d like to work on in the future a few times per week in between sessions makes a world of difference.
The gear makes the boxer? This isn’t true, but there’s something to having your own gear that you like rather than using borrowed communal use gear just hits different. I have various recommendations for the best beginner boxing equipment, including hand wraps, but finding gear you feel comfortable with is key. You’ll find that over the years you’ll try enough different brands and find what truly works for you. It might sound silly, but looking the part can provide a bit of a motivation boost as well.
Find a good gym and/or trainer. This is the most important thing and could be make or break depending on your goals. You tend to get what you pay for. Unlike other sports, the dirty truth about boxing is that practically anybody can become an amateur or professional fighter and have a legitimate actual fight under their belt. This doesn’t make them qualified to be a coach. Also, being a golden gloves champion, competing in the amateurs, etc don’t mean much and there aren’t any legitimate credentials apart from somebody’s professional record or accomplishments to determine their qualifications on the surface. You want to observe your coach and their students. Pay close attention and see how they look. If you know nothing, ask around, check reviews, etc, and check the vibe. Does your boxing coach train everybody the same? Starting out this might be fine as the basic punches and proper form and basic boxing techniques don't change, but for good results, a personalized approach should be employed. A cookie-cutter approach can present problems down the road as different builds, ages, athleticism, personalities, etc might need different styles of training and techniques to best suit individual differences. If you’re just looking to get in shape and get a great workout in, these things matter less, but the more serious you are about your boxing journey, the more you need to ensure that you have the right tools for the job, including your coach. Also, don’t be afraid to look at others online and see if your skill, trainer, or other students are comparable to what you see at other gyms.
How long should you take off in between sessions? In the beginning, I’d say take at least 48-72 hours off in between boxing workouts. This is an every-other-day to twice-per-week frequency. Initially, you might be sore and/or tired, but over time, as your conditioning improves, you can train every day, though I’d still say it's a good idea to plan at least 1 or ideally 2 days off per week to physically and mentally recover for best results.
What size gloves should I start with? The short answer is 16 oz. The long answer depends on your size and what you’re looking to do. In professional fighting, everybody 147 lbs and up wears 10 oz and below 8 oz. Having that said, people tend to wear heavier gloves in sparring, usually 16 oz. If you’re just looking to work out, the extra weight of the glove is a great way to get a better workout throughout the duration. You can also change to a glove between 8-16 oz over time, especially when it comes to bag or mitt work.
What type of shoes should I get? Prioritize ankle support first of all. From there you can go with a flat or elevated sole depending on what feels best for you.
How long should it take to get down the fundamentals? Depending upon frequency and how fast you pick things up, anywhere from 3-12 months. Remember, beyond the obvious boxing basics, you'll be developing skills like hand-eye coordination, correct breathing technique, your proper boxing stance, hand speed, and good footwork. That's a lot to cover to the point of having correct technique as muscle memory. And if you are coming from a different martial arts background or a sub-par training situation we may have a few bad habits to train out of you as well - don't discount the time that can take.
How long before I should spar? Well, in an ideal world, you should get the fundamentals of boxing down to a point where they have become second nature, so anywhere from 3-12 months. You can also do light drilling before this time and light sparring either just body shots or with minimal contact to the head to dip your toes in. It’s much harder and different to punch at an actual target than it is a mitt or bag and the sooner you realize that the better. This is why I generally have my clients at least punch at another boxer a few times between their 10th and 30th lessons. After that it's best to match up with a more experienced sparring partner who has good control and isn't trying to take your head off with an ego flex power punch while you get the hang of things.
What additional gear should I buy to help me train at home? The beauty of boxing is that it’s relatively cheap. All you might want apart from gloves, wraps, and shoes, is a jump rope, and if you can swing it, a heavy bag for bag work, although it isn’t necessary and you can still easily get a good workout in without it. Running is free, and weight lifting is affordable nowadays with a regular gym membership or basic home gym. The next best thing would be a partner you could practice light drilling and movement with.
As we wrap up, it should be clear that the road to becoming a skilled boxer is paved with dedication, proper preparation, and the right guidance. Remember, boxing is not just about physical strength; it's a craft that demands patience, discipline, and a continuous desire to learn and improve. Whether you're lacing up your gloves for the first time or looking to refine your skills, these tips will serve as a cornerstone for your training regimen.
If you're serious about taking your boxing to the next level and are located in the Los Angeles area, come try out a training session with me. With years of coaching experience, I'm dedicated to helping my clients achieve their fullest potential. Together, we'll work on honing your technique, improving your fitness, and mastering the mental game of boxing. For more boxing training tips, be sure to follow me on my social channels listed below.
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Remember, every champion was once a contender who refused to give up. Your boxing journey starts now. Let's make it extraordinary.