Getting started, deciding on a gym.

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!

do you want boxing or martial arts? Go check them out, then join the one that deals with what you're after. Ask them if you can get (free) mit work when you go in. Good mit work won't take anymore than 10-15 minutes. Every time you do it you get better and it forces you to keep good habits.

I talked to the owner of one of the gyms and the way he put it, it sounded like I'd be crazy to not compete. Let me clarify, its not because I'm some kind of super athlete, but he just made competing sound like the greatest thing ever. In so many words he said "You've gotta try it at least once, its AWESOME!"

Is it that big a deal? How does one get matches?

They'll sort that out... ;)

you fight dontyer adam?

whats your record?
peace

Do All Towns have A Police Boxing League???

IF SO DAMN IM IN :o

That Would Be Ausome Cuz Every town Has A Police Station ;D

Im Gonna check that Out

Yea, Im defenitely gonna ask the borough police about it too, if anybody knows anything about it its them...

From what I gather about the police athletic league, though, is not all towns have it and not all the ones that do have a league have a boxing club, and some of the ones that do are only 18 and under...? I guess we'll find out. Let me know how you make out Boxerjl.

Ok Ill Let You Know ASAP
well a soon as i find out
yeah im only 17 and i am also a firefighter but cannot go out on fires becuz of my age i have to be 18 :-\

but i went through the firefighter 1 course and it was pretty easy and fun learning all this new firefighting stuff

my dad is a firefighter and has been for a while
well hes been alot of things hes even been a fisher he has tapes of him being on tv its pretty cool ;D

Well back to The Police League Yeha i Would Prolly Have to Be 18 Cuz They Wouldnt Want Me To Woop up On them........lol
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