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jlmarcin
jlmarcin Posts: 36
edited January 8 in Social Groups
Hi everyone! I just starting taking a few boxing classes at an MMA gym. I love it so far. Any tips you have or stories of when you were starting out would be nice to hear. Thanks!

Jennifer

Replies

  • RobynLB
    RobynLB Posts: 617 Member
    There is a lot to learn when you first start. Learning form is difficult, and you can't really learn anything until you have your basic form down. Go to class about 5 times a week and practice every day even if you can't go to class. Look up tutorials, and practice slowly in front of a mirror. Once you get your form down, you will be able to progress more quickly and enjoy yourself a lot more. Don't be one of those girls that just comes for a workout and can't throw a proper hook six months in. Be one of those girls that the boys don't want to spar with because you hit so hard ;)
  • redrover
    redrover Posts: 71 Member
    Here are a few more to consider...
    - Go a minimum of three times a week if you want to improve
    - Take care of your hands - wrap them properly and wear gloves that are the right size. Alternate between hard and soft heavy bags so your hands don't get overly sore. If they are ever calloused or cut then you need to make an adjustment. Don't wear the MMA gloves with the fingers exposed if you are boxing and not doing MMA.
    - If you have a choice, train with a coach who has been in the ring as a pro.
    - Power starts in your legs. Run, jump, and work on balance exercises.
    - Your core delivers the power from your legs. Train your whole core and train both sides of your body evenly.
    - Do not use ankle weights when running. They ruin your knees.
    - When you start to spar, be sure your jaw is clenched all the time. If you get hit in the jaw and it is not clenched it can be very damaging and it is very painful.
    - Train with your mouthguard in to get used to breathing hard with it in your mouth.
    - Stretch.
    - Get plenty of sleep to allow your muscles to repair.

    Good luck!!!
  • jlmarcin
    jlmarcin Posts: 36
    Thank you so much for these tips. I really appreciate them. I want to start out slow at 3 times a week, each session consisting of an hour of form basics and an hour of bag work. I hurt my right Achilles tendon in August and although it has healed nicely (I think), if I overdo certain things it can be pretty painful. It hasn't hurt so far, so that's positive.

    I saw a post or two about types of gloves and wraps. Do you brand suggestions? Also, if you take protein powder, is there one you would recommend? I have heard that there is something to be said about protein powder for women, but also that they are all the same. Thanks!
  • redrover
    redrover Posts: 71 Member
    As far as gloves, I use Everlast because they seem more durable. Regardless of what brand you get, just buy a good quality glove and you will save money in the long run. As far as wraps, just try a few to see what you like. You are going to want to hang them up to dry so get a few pairs and rotate. I think the wraps give you better support than the slip-on gel types, but I do have a gel pair that I use for less intense workouts because they are faster to get on and off.

    I can't help you on the protein question.

    Stretch that Achille before and after every workout.

    Have fun!
  • TRMite
    TRMite Posts: 60 Member
    I would avoid quick wraps. They don't seem to come sized for women. If they are too big they are very uncomfortable.

    As for gloves, I really like Waldorf. Their website sales their gloves at wholesale prices so they are a great deal. I've been very satisfied. http://www.woldorf.com/Shop-list-1.html

    Only thing I have to add to the tips above is head gear! worth the investment if you start sparring. If you are just doing bag work then don't worry about that. Just have fun. Boxing is a great way to keep your fitness fun.
  • jlmarcin
    jlmarcin Posts: 36
    Thanks for the info. I ordered some Everlast gloves and 180' Mexican wraps. I don't plan on sparring (at least anytime soon) but headgear would be a must if I did!
  • RobynLB
    RobynLB Posts: 617 Member
    Two hours pretty long session! Three days a week of that will have you well on your way. I'd give the same recommendations on wraps and gloves: long wraps, everlast gloves.

    I take protein powder, and I have noticed a big change in body composition since I started taking it. I was probably getting about 50 grams of protein a day, and now I get around 100. The powder makes it a lot easier to get your protein in. I have a protein mug cake every day for breakfast. Yummy. They are all pretty alike. Compare a few lables and get one with little or no added sugar to keep the calories around 100 - 150 per serving.

    You absolutely must spar. Give it a few weeks on the bag, and you'll be chomping on the bit to spar, and then you'lll know what I'm talking about. There's just a lot to the sport that comes together in sparing in a way that can't come together with mits and bag work. The purpose of sparing is technique, not power, so you don't need to worry about getting hit too hard.
  • jlmarcin
    jlmarcin Posts: 36
    The two hours is broken down into technique training for the first hour and then the second hour is cardio drills and bag work. Once I get the technique down (I will give it about a month) then I can just go to the bag class and maybe add in sparring (If I am brave enough!)
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