Thread: Joining a gym

Hey guys I am interested in joining a boxing gym and I need your opinion on what I should do. Just yesterday I tried a class for free and what we did for the whole class was conditioning. No doubt it was an awesome workout, but I did not learn anything about punching. Perhaps this was because I participated in the beginner's class(there is both beginner and intermediate, intermediate class starting right after beginner's class). I did stuck around for another hour and checked out the intermediate class, but in my eyes it basically looked like the same stuff from the beginner's class.. Now for me I dont wanna join a boxing gym just for conditioning, I also want to learn technique as well.. and from what I experienced in the class, I don't think this is the right gym for me. However, after class I did talk to some of the members there who have been around for several weeks and they said they practice sparring etc etc though I did not see it that day.. When I talked to the head instructor he said normally at this time all the "fighters" come in to train but tonight was an exception or something... so yeah, I need your guy's opinion.. should I join the gym? the gym is called Legacyboxingclub...

Almost all people and gyms require you begin in the conditioning portion of the process. Because that is precisely what learning boxing is, a process. They do it because the vast majority of people are not fit enough to learn proper technique and this provides you the step to work your way into the next stage. BUT, they also do it to see a persons level of commitment.

Let's say for eg you're a fantastic specimen of health and vigor, endurance and strength and the like, you still require something learned in the trenches...and that is discipline. The only times I see people skip these primary steps is if they maybe have a known track record in a similar discipline, BJJ, judo, any sort of MMA etc. Or if the gym itself is utter shit and run by someone not looking out for the best interests of the pupils.

Now I don't know anything about the gym you are currently at. But if you desire to learn the sport, and to one day compete, you take a look at the boxers there, how often they fight, travel to matches, have shows, and what level of achievements they have made. If there isn't any of that there, and you want that...you are at the wrong place. If it has a bit of history, and currently has active fighters, you might want to consider everything I've said previously.

And lastly, don't be afraid to speak up. If you have a strong desire to move along quicker, then tell your coach that. Hopefully he will evaluate you and give you an honest answer. Then listen to him. But always speak your mind, if you truly are determined. Cliche yes, but the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Good luck and welcome to Saddos.

Conditioning is important but it is NOT a "boxing class" unless it has SOME boxing instruction.

In my boxing class, Coach typically has us doing the following:

• 3x3 minute Rounds rope skipping or other aerobics (bike for old guy with bad knees like me)
• 3x3 minute Rounds instruction in the ring -- beginners are learning to punch, intermediates are working on partner drills, more advanced students are shadow sparring in pairs etc
• 3x3 minute rounds "boxercise" -- aerobic running in place with punches, arm extended shoulder circles, squats etc
• 3x3 minute rounds heavy bag work WITH instruction and correction
• 2-3 x 1 or 1 1/2 minute rounds burnout on the heavy bag -- left/right, left/right for conditioning
• 10 minutes running -- wind sprints etc (or other aerobics)
• Ab work about 10 minutes of various sit-ups and leg lifts

That's about 7 x 10 minutes and with dead time switching from one activity to another it usually takes us 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.

We do at least SOME boxing training every class -- mostly during the 3 rounds in the ring and the 3 rounds of combination/moving work on the bag.

It's legitimate to ask the coach/trainer when (or whether) the boxing instruction is included or not?

Or find a gym where they do that IF you want to LEARN TO BOX.

ty both for the informative response.
As for fighters, several fighters from this mma gym close by comes to this gym to train in boxing(though I dont know if they participate in the group workout or if they train in 1 on 1 sessions..). Also, the head instructor himself is a competitive boxer. So based on your response, would you recommend I join boxing gym? Their conditioning is PHENOMINAL lol no doubt about it.. its just I'm not entirely sure about their methods of teaching techniques cuz I didnt see it... However I did ask the instructor if I will learn technique and such and he says yes, and also added that the best way to learn boxing is through sparring or something etc.. I dunno what do you guys suggest? I am considering taking up this gym since there are no other boxing gyms close to my place...

Originally Posted by sbae490

ty both for the informative response.
As for fighters, several fighters from this mma gym close by comes to this gym to train in boxing(though I dont know if they participate in the group workout or if they train in 1 on 1 sessions..). Also, the head instructor himself is a competitive boxer. So based on your response, would you recommend I join boxing gym? Their conditioning is PHENOMINAL lol no doubt about it.. its just I'm not entirely sure about their methods of teaching techniques cuz I didnt see it... However I did ask the instructor if I will learn technique and such and he says yes, and also added that the best way to learn boxing is through sparring or something etc.. I dunno what do you guys suggest? I am considering taking up this gym since there are no other boxing gyms close to my place...

I agree with the highlighted. It of course needs to be married with proper instruction, and plenty of practice and conditioning. I wouldn't expect anyone to be in sparring in under 3 months of training. As well when sparring begins, hopefully the coach knows what he is doing in there.

It's okay to be eager my friend. It shows your have determination for the most part I believe. I was the same way, and a huge pain in the ass to my first coaches. I didn't spar until 6 months of training, and had first fight at 9 months. This incidentally led to becoming an undefeated national champion. So in short, patience and some faith in your coaches is usually a good thing.

Originally Posted by sbae490

... So based on your response, would you recommend I join boxing gym? Their conditioning is PHENOMINAL lol no doubt about it.. its just I'm not entirely sure about their methods of teaching techniques cuz I didnt see it... However I did ask the instructor if I will learn technique and such and he says yes, and also added that the best way to learn boxing is through sparring or something etc.. I dunno what do you guys suggest? I am considering taking up this gym since there are no other boxing gyms close to my place...

It depends on your goals, your belief in his claim that you will learn boxing (without having seen that), and your other available choices....

If you primarily want to Learn To Box, then a conditioning only regimen isn't the full answer of course.

If conditioning alone is sufficient for you goals (even if not ideal) you might not care enough to find an alternative, or there might be no practical/affordable alternative in your area.

You can always try it for a while and see if the instruction materializes....

On the subject of the "best way to learn boxing is through sparring" that is a crock -- IF that is the whole story.

Eventually you MUST spar to DEVELOP and COMPLETE your boxing training, but initially until you know how to move the most important aspects are learning how to move, defend, punch, etc without the confusion of a real fight -- you need to train the correct movements first.

Otherwise, you will spend far longer brawling without really learning to box.

Not that just sparring isn't great fun and useful even to beginners (in my opinion) but it isn't what we need mostly in the beginning.

I am six months into boxing training and still begging for my coach for the opportunity to spar full contact -- maybe that is a bit too long to wait, but those first few months have definitely taught me so much that I would not likely have learned anywhere nearly as quickly.

Remember, even the pros including world champions do daily drills and practice in addition to sparring.

Hmm.. well, my goal is to learn how to box and at the same time, get leaner.. basically the whole package. I don't plan on competing professionally or anything like that.. Maybe an amateur bout(this is at LEAST a year after though if I decide to even do amateur).. For the most part, I just wanna learn proper movements, techniques, and improve my fitness. I have decided to give this place a shot for a month or buy a 10 drop in pass. Hopefully this month's worth of participating can answer my questions lol... Thx for the responses btw I will keep you updated on this post from time to time, and if you can all give me feedback of what my experience is like in the gym would be greatly appreciated as well

First boxing gym I joined, I went through three months of pushing cars, wind sprints, push ups, jumping jacks, skipping rope bag drills, etc etc. I got tired of that and joined another boxing gym with a retired professional boxer. His idea of training was to throw you in a ring with an experienced fighter and it was up to you to survive. You were told as you were getting pounded what you were doing wrong. So, after getting worked over a few weeks, I went back to the first gym and realized that they were getting me in physical shape as a first step, they took their time in teaching stance, jabs, shifting, and all the science...but by taking their time, I learned it correctly, and it became 'muscle memory'. Assuming you have checked this gym out, and people who have trained there have progressed and are now in the ring, I would say "Don't be a rush...don't be impatient...start with the basics...like the piano..practice, practice, practice.