Boxing? Me? How?

kiela64
kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
edited November 24 in Fitness and Exercise
My friend invited me to join her boxing class. It's under $20/class but I'd also need to buy hand wraps. I figured I could afford it if I didn't buy tea or lunch half as often as I tend to.

But I've never worked out with friends before, just gone with my dad to yoga. And I know absolutely nothing about boxing. I'm very weak, especially in my core & upper body. Not to mention a minor knee injury. I get set off balance very easily (can't do the balance poses in yoga).

Would it be worth trying out, do you think? Or is boxing too challenging and skill- and strength- based? It looks/sounds cool & I like the idea of being stronger and able to hit things, but I'm so extremely not cool or strong at all. It might not be appropriate for my fitness level.

If I did go, do you know what I could expect from a boxing class?

Replies

  • LastingChanges
    LastingChanges Posts: 390 Member
    I felt the same way when I was first signing up, thought I would look ridicilous in class. But it is such a good work out, it burns a lot of calories, and at the end of the class you feel amazing. Everyone goes at their own pace, plus it is such an intense work out that no one is paying attention to anyone else in the room and what they are doing. I am so not a boxing type of girl but I am now surprised how much ive learned and the more i go the better i am able to keep up.
    Dont worry about your fitness level and give it a try.
  • pearshapedmum
    pearshapedmum Posts: 131 Member
    my opinion is to go for it - I absolutely love boxing and first started about 15 years ago. When I did I was very fit and small framed but lacked strength. I loved it so much that i was once training 5 nights week, 2 hrs at a time. my advice, give it a try. do not be embarrassed about lack of strength etc as that will naturally come with time. focus on learning proper technique as this is where your power comes from, and above all, have fun :-)
  • oh_happy_day
    oh_happy_day Posts: 1,137 Member
    Working out with friends is fun, so give it a go! You can expect to work in pairs to do drills with the pads (taking it in turn to hold the pads while the other one punches). There might also be some fitness drills in there - skipping or push ups for example. Everyone will be focused on their own thing - no one will be watching you!

    Boxing is great exercise - your arms will burn and your heart rate will be up. You don't have to be strong or coordinated. Just get the instructor to show you the proper technique so you don't hurt your wrists. You'll feel a bit uncoordinated at first but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it quickly. People were patient with me when I first started. It's heaps of fun, give it a go!
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    edited September 2015
    LastingChanges wrote: »
    I felt the same way when I was first signing up, thought I would look ridicilous in class. But it is such a good work out, it burns a lot of calories, and at the end of the class you feel amazing. Everyone goes at their own pace, plus it is such an intense work out that no one is paying attention to anyone else in the room and what they are doing. I am so not a boxing type of girl but I am now surprised how much ive learned and the more i go the better i am able to keep up.
    Dont worry about your fitness level and give it a try.
    pearshapedmum wrote: »
    my opinion is to go for it - I absolutely love boxing and first started about 15 years ago. When I did I was very fit and small framed but lacked strength. I loved it so much that i was once training 5 nights week, 2 hrs at a time. my advice, give it a try. do not be embarrassed about lack of strength etc as that will naturally come with time. focus on learning proper technique as this is where your power comes from, and above all, have fun :-)
    oh_happy_day wrote: »
    Working out with friends is fun, so give it a go! You can expect to work in pairs to do drills with the pads (taking it in turn to hold the pads while the other one punches). There might also be some fitness drills in there - skipping or push ups for example. Everyone will be focused on their own thing - no one will be watching you!

    Boxing is great exercise - your arms will burn and your heart rate will be up. You don't have to be strong or coordinated. Just get the instructor to show you the proper technique so you don't hurt your wrists. You'll feel a bit uncoordinated at first but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it quickly. People were patient with me when I first started. It's heaps of fun, give it a go!

    <3 This is so encouraging, thanks guys!! & thanks for letting me know what to expect! :) I think I'll for sure give it a shot and check it out. It's really intimidating but hopefully it will be okay :smiley:
  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    Yes, boxing would be a perfect workout for you. It will help strengthen your core and upper body and the footwork will help with balance and agility.

    Allan Misner
    NASM Certified Personal Trainer (Corrective Exercise Specialist, Fitness Nutrition Specialist)
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    AllanMisner wrote: »
    Yes, boxing would be a perfect workout for you. It will help strengthen your core and upper body and the footwork will help with balance and agility.

    Allan Misner
    NASM Certified Personal Trainer (Corrective Exercise Specialist, Fitness Nutrition Specialist)

    Thanks! I finally got more info from my friend, and I'm even more excited now. I found out there are women's only hours as well, and from the website it just looks like a really welcoming place. I'll be going next weekend if my knee spasms chill out and my friend gets better from her flu-thing. :)
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,029 Member
    As a kickboxing instructor, I've never had anyone say they hated it. Many came out too strong (usually guys) and gassed out from waling on the bags after 15 mins (1 hour class). I'll give you some key help:

    Make sure you keep your wrists taut. Nothing worse than boxing and bending your wrist when you make impact.
    Keep elbows close to the body except when throwing hooks.
    Don't hold your breath when hitting. Many do this when they begin.
    Take your time. You don't need to be fast as a beginner. Learning the form is more important.

    Boxing especially helps with bone density in the arms for females. The hitting causes vibrations through the radius, ulna and humerous and even all the way to the clavicles if impact is high. Many can get good bone density in their legs (since many do leg work much more easily than upper body) but upper body can sometimes be challenging.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    I'm so mad. I wrecked my knee and now I probably can't join my friend and her class. My knee cap is in the wrong spot and it's going to take some serious physical therapy to get over it. I'm completely stuck being practically immobile. And I was just getting over a minor knee injury in my other knee as well (IT band tension). I'm so mad. Ugh. I was excited for this. :(
  • pearshapedmum
    pearshapedmum Posts: 131 Member
    hope your recovery doesn't take too long :-(
  • LastingChanges
    LastingChanges Posts: 390 Member
    Sorry that happened :/ Dont stress over it. Take your time to heal so that eventually you can try it when you are better. Good luck
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