Thread: Beginner Advice

Hi everyone,

My names Matt and this is my first time positing on the forum. Ive been reading almost everything i can find about boxing and just need some basic advice. Here is a little background information.

I'm 23 years old. I am 6'1 and 201 pounds. I am in average shape. I currently belong to a gym and see a personal trainer. My personal trainer(who is also an amateur boxer) had me throwing some punches for fitness purposes. My gym only has a 150lb heavy bag. This was last Tuesday/March 1. Since then I have been in the gym everyday working the heavy bag. Sometimes twice a day.

My personal trainer showed me some of the basics on stance, how to punch, hand placement and a few combinations. Since that 1st day i have fallen in love with boxing and i believe i want to take it to the next level and not just do it for fitness. My personal trainer said i had decent reach and a solid punch for a beginner.

I have a pretty good idea about boxing fitness. I have been able to find tons of stuff online and this forum about conditioning and getting in shape.

The equipment I have is a basic gym, 150lb heavy bag, hands wrap and 14oz gloves.

So here are some of my actual question:

What can i do with what i have available to progress?
Any Specific boxing drills or workouts to try?
Anything I should really focus on that a beginner would overlook?
Should I look into a heavier heavy bag?(i am constantly having to stop the heavy bag from swinging)

My last question is about getting a trainer. I am a little worried i wont be able to afford a trainer right now. What should be a typical price I expect to pay for a trainer. If anyone is familiar with the Cincinnati area any gyms that you have disliked or liked.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Look forward to any responses.

ok, just to address the cost factor. you mention you have a personal trainer, but not a boxing trainer?

If this assumption is remotely correct, boxing trainers are generally free to new people. They come with the gym. Other then the cost of admission into the gym, which is also usually quite cheap. Personal trainers on the other hand, cost a lot more, and unless they come with some decent credentials, you are throwing away your money.

A good trainer will find you. Show up to the right gym, regularly, have the heart and desire, skill don't hurt either, trainers are free for the taking. Not getting enough attention? ask for it. Not answered? Ask again.

This isn't a slight on personal trainers, are some really good ones, also on this board. But the majority of them are just trying to make a buck. So again, I suggest, get to the right place, work hard, and the right trainer will find you.

Thanks for the reply Youngblood. The personal trainer is for fitness and i share the sessions with my girlfriend. Its really only been a week with the boxing so I didnt know to go about training. The only boxing gym i contacted wants $75 a month and i didnt know if that was average or not.

that answers my question then. If it is boxing you are most interested in, then it is a boxing trainer you are most wanting to be interested in. Forget any others. AdamGB on this board is both of those, personal and boxing, so it might not hurt to get into contact with him, to learn more.

The heavy bag is supposed to swing- it makes you move and hit it from different angles and thereby control and direct the swing of the bag.

Adding on to what others have said:

look for a boxing specific gym, usually the more rustic and old school, the better.

In the mean time, get a speed rope and work on conditioning and cardio. I would wait to find a boxing coach to set up a good foundation and fundamentals, granted you said your personal trainer is an amateur boxer, he might be teaching things that aren't meant for your size and build.

Try out a few gyms, most give you the first week or first night free. Make sure they have the proper equipment. Numerous heavy bags, speed bags, double-ended bags. Ask students at the gym if they like it, etc.


I started with an MMA/jiu-jitsu/boxing gym and unfortunately the boxing class was small and over-looked. Went on the internet and found a boxing specific gym and I haven't looked back.

Originally Posted by DontDoIt

Thanks for the reply Youngblood. The personal trainer is for fitness and i share the sessions with my girlfriend. Its really only been a week with the boxing so I didnt know to go about training. The only boxing gym i contacted wants $75 a month and i didnt know if that was average or not.

Where are you located DontDoIt??

right now I pay $100 for 3 months, so that works out to like $33.33 per month

[QUOTE=The Student;950204]

Originally Posted by DontDoIt

Where are you located DontDoIt??

right now I pay $100 for 3 months, so that works out to like $33.33 per month

I am located in Clifton right by the university of Cincinnati.

[QUOTE=DontDoIt;950273]

Originally Posted by The Student

Originally Posted by DontDoIt

Where are you located DontDoIt??

right now I pay $100 for 3 months, so that works out to like $33.33 per month

I am located in Clifton right by the university of Cincinnati.

Hmm... so ur in Ohio.. Check out the link below for a list of boxing gyms in Ohio... Maybe you'll find something close by

Ohio Boxing Gyms and Clubs