Hey all, I'm very new, green as grass, just recently got into boxing as a fan and now I'm taking the plunge and joining a gym.

I'm 5'7 and weigh 210, just recently lost 40 pounds and am keeping the ball rolling. I'm 19 and I go to IUP (state university in west PA). I started hitting the gym to get in shape for firefighting and from what I've heard boxing can really take you to the next level, and that's what I'm looking for.

I can't stand the campus gym... full of pretentious chicks, bone-head frat boys and yuppie a$$holes. (No offense to any frat guys... I'm speaking in generalities, of course.)

So I've narrowed it down to 2 gyms, one is a family owned and ran martial arts academy about 15 minutes from school. The other is a Police Athletic League gym about a half hour from school. Any advice on choosing between these 2? I mean, what is the Police Athletic League? Does a martial arts academy know any more or less than your average boxing gym? I dont even know how the training works... would I have like one or two sessions a week with a trainer, and then workout on my own on other days?

Ive also got questions about my nutrition as well as testing my skill someday down the road (I.E. actually fighting somebody better than myself). But I've chewed your ears enough. Thanks ahead of time and I'm looking forward to getting started!