Kinda confused... Where do I start?

Let me start off by saying that I'm 18, and currently living in the middle of nowhere ( Winfield, WV ), and I've had an interest in boxing ever since I can remember, but I never got into it for some reason. I guess I could blame a lack of funds or whatever, but that's beside the point.

Point is, I'm 6'1"-6'2" and only weigh 140 pounds right now, which anyone who looks at me knows is WAY smaller than I should be. So, I figured since I'm going to start packing on the pounds, why not pick up boxing as something to keep me focused on the task at hand?

That last paragraph leads me to my questions:

1.) What can I do diet wise to increase my weight. I know I don't eat enough given the amount of exercise I get a day and my height, but at the same time, I don't want to sit around and eat ice cream all day and get obese

2.) How big should I plan on getting? Or should I just let my body fill out naturally and go from there?

3.) What are some good exercises/weight training programs to start off with for someone in my position?

4.) I should be relocating within the next 6 months, and afterwards I intend on finding a trainer. What kind of qualities should I look for in a trainer? I'm not going to lie, I really want to take this seriously and see just how far I can go in this sport. I've never really given my all in anything, and I want someone who can be there to really push me to my limits while giving me the instruction I need.

5.) Am I at a good age to start getting into this? Am I too old, too young, what?

1.) What can I do diet wise to increase my weight. I know I don't eat enough given the amount of exercise I get a day and my height, but at the same time, I don't want to sit around and eat ice cream all day and get obese
Protein is the key. Red meat, fish, full fat milk, eggs, pasta.
2.) How big should I plan on getting? Or should I just let my body fill out naturally and go from there?
Listen to your body. Let yourself expand progressively and feel the cahnage as your make up alters. You should know when you have to stop

3.) What are some good exercises/weight training programs to start off with for someone in my position?
The Benchpress is the typical Macho lifte. Try expanding the chest and shoulders first. Benchpress, Incline, Fly, Shoulder press, Shrugs, pulley work.

4.) I should be relocating within the next 6 months, and afterwards I intend on finding a trainer. What kind of qualities should I look for in a trainer? I'm not going to lie, I really want to take this seriously and see just how far I can go in this sport. I've never really given my all in anything, and I want someone who can be there to really push me to my limits while giving me the instruction I need.
Experimentation. If you look hgard enough you'll find one for you.

5.) Am I at a good age to start getting into this? Am I too old, too young, what?
Make no mistake if you want to box, you've got a lot of time to compensate for, but it can be done. Work hard.



My final point is that boxing is not the ideal sport for gaining muscle mass. Boxing is famed for toning and stripping fat, not getting bigger, so question your motives for starting boxing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

1.) What can I do diet wise to increase my weight. I know I don't eat enough given the amount of exercise I get a day and my height, but at the same time, I don't want to sit around and eat ice cream all day and get obese
Protein is the key. Red meat, fish, full fat milk, eggs, pasta.
2.) How big should I plan on getting? Or should I just let my body fill out naturally and go from there?
Listen to your body. Let yourself expand progressively and feel the cahnage as your make up alters. You should know when you have to stop

3.) What are some good exercises/weight training programs to start off with for someone in my position?
The Benchpress is the typical Macho lifte. Try expanding the chest and shoulders first. Benchpress, Incline, Fly, Shoulder press, Shrugs, pulley work.

4.) I should be relocating within the next 6 months, and afterwards I intend on finding a trainer. What kind of qualities should I look for in a trainer? I'm not going to lie, I really want to take this seriously and see just how far I can go in this sport. I've never really given my all in anything, and I want someone who can be there to really push me to my limits while giving me the instruction I need.
Experimentation. If you look hgard enough you'll find one for you.

5.) Am I at a good age to start getting into this? Am I too old, too young, what?
Make no mistake if you want to box, you've got a lot of time to compensate for, but it can be done. Work hard.



My final point is that boxing is not the ideal sport for gaining muscle mass. Boxing is famed for toning and stripping fat, not getting bigger, so question your motives for starting boxing.

---

Understood, but I want to be a fighter, I just need to gain weight and mass to do it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

1.) What can I do diet wise to increase my weight. I know I don't eat enough given the amount of exercise I get a day and my height, but at the same time, I don't want to sit around and eat ice cream all day and get obese
Protein is the key. Red meat, fish, full fat milk, eggs, pasta.
2.) How big should I plan on getting? Or should I just let my body fill out naturally and go from there?
Listen to your body. Let yourself expand progressively and feel the cahnage as your make up alters. You should know when you have to stop

3.) What are some good exercises/weight training programs to start off with for someone in my position?
The Benchpress is the typical Macho lifte. Try expanding the chest and shoulders first. Benchpress, Incline, Fly, Shoulder press, Shrugs, pulley work.

4.) I should be relocating within the next 6 months, and afterwards I intend on finding a trainer. What kind of qualities should I look for in a trainer? I'm not going to lie, I really want to take this seriously and see just how far I can go in this sport. I've never really given my all in anything, and I want someone who can be there to really push me to my limits while giving me the instruction I need.
Experimentation. If you look hgard enough you'll find one for you.

5.) Am I at a good age to start getting into this? Am I too old, too young, what?
Make no mistake if you want to box, you've got a lot of time to compensate for, but it can be done. Work hard.



My final point is that boxing is not the ideal sport for gaining muscle mass. Boxing is famed for toning and stripping fat, not getting bigger, so question your motives for starting boxing.

---

Understood, but I want to be a fighter, I just need to gain weight and mass to do it.

---

Actually, what you need to do is get your azz to a gym and learn the sport if boxing is what you truly want. Worrying about weight at this time, is pointless.

Exactly it will take a long time to learn the correct technique with a trainer so don't even really think of trying to teach yourself as bad habits develope and die hard. Mass building is pretty easy, the key is high weight low reps, eat a lot of healthy food (a lot of protein) and rest a lot with crap all cardio. Do that and you will be gaining a lot, boxing however will make you put on some muscle, especially if your that skinny. But find a trainer and get into it, best fun you can have while exercising and pushing yourself to the limits.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

1.) What can I do diet wise to increase my weight. I know I don't eat enough given the amount of exercise I get a day and my height, but at the same time, I don't want to sit around and eat ice cream all day and get obese
Protein is the key. Red meat, fish, full fat milk, eggs, pasta.
2.) How big should I plan on getting? Or should I just let my body fill out naturally and go from there?
Listen to your body. Let yourself expand progressively and feel the cahnage as your make up alters. You should know when you have to stop

3.) What are some good exercises/weight training programs to start off with for someone in my position?
The Benchpress is the typical Macho lifte. Try expanding the chest and shoulders first. Benchpress, Incline, Fly, Shoulder press, Shrugs, pulley work.

4.) I should be relocating within the next 6 months, and afterwards I intend on finding a trainer. What kind of qualities should I look for in a trainer? I'm not going to lie, I really want to take this seriously and see just how far I can go in this sport. I've never really given my all in anything, and I want someone who can be there to really push me to my limits while giving me the instruction I need.
Experimentation. If you look hgard enough you'll find one for you.

5.) Am I at a good age to start getting into this? Am I too old, too young, what?
Make no mistake if you want to box, you've got a lot of time to compensate for, but it can be done. Work hard.



My final point is that boxing is not the ideal sport for gaining muscle mass. Boxing is famed for toning and stripping fat, not getting bigger, so question your motives for starting boxing.

---

Understood, but I want to be a fighter, I just need to gain weight and mass to do it.

---

By gaining weight you are sacrificing a huge natural advantage in boxing competition; in terms of height and reach.

Where are you relocating to?
I run a gym in Bramwell,a buddy runs a gym in Tazwell,and Mullens produced Christy Martin,so your looking at a Toughman Champ,numerous pros,And Rough And Rowdy champs between the 3 gyms

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey

Where are you relocating to?
I run a gym in Bramwell,a buddy runs a gym in Tazwell,and Mullens produced Christy Martin,so your looking at a Toughman Champ,numerous pros,And Rough And Rowdy champs between the 3 gyms

---

Mullens?
You told me about them before didn't you?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey

Where are you relocating to?
I run a gym in Bramwell,a buddy runs a gym in Tazwell,and Mullens produced Christy Martin,so your looking at a Toughman Champ,numerous pros,And Rough And Rowdy champs between the 3 gyms

---

Mullens?
You told me about them before didn't you?

---

Ive got sort of a working agreement with them,lets face it WV is really rural, so to get cornermen,or sparring time in, well you share boxers around. There arent many classic gyms here, mines run out of the room I thought was going to be a formal dining room when we moved here,Mullens is in a basement, and the Tazwell gym is in a barn. In theory theres a gym in Bluefield, but I dont know a soul who uses it,and Superior in Welch pretty much so went in to the tank

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey

Where are you relocating to?
I run a gym in Bramwell,a buddy runs a gym in Tazwell,and Mullens produced Christy Martin,so your looking at a Toughman Champ,numerous pros,And Rough And Rowdy champs between the 3 gyms

---

Mullens?
You told me about them before didn't you?

---

Ive got sort of a working agreement with them,lets face it WV is really rural, so to get cornermen,or sparring time in, well you share boxers around. There arent many classic gyms here, mines run out of the room I thought was going to be a formal dining room when we moved here,Mullens is in a basement, and the Tazwell gym is in a barn. In theory theres a gym in Bluefield, but I dont know a soul who uses it,and Superior in Welch pretty much so went in to the tank

---

I train in a quarry, I can relate

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey

Where are you relocating to?
I run a gym in Bramwell,a buddy runs a gym in Tazwell,and Mullens produced Christy Martin,so your looking at a Toughman Champ,numerous pros,And Rough And Rowdy champs between the 3 gyms

---

I was planning on Columbus, but I'd love to check out one of your guys' gyms if I could find transportation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

1.) What can I do diet wise to increase my weight. I know I don't eat enough given the amount of exercise I get a day and my height, but at the same time, I don't want to sit around and eat ice cream all day and get obese
Protein is the key. Red meat, fish, full fat milk, eggs, pasta.
2.) How big should I plan on getting? Or should I just let my body fill out naturally and go from there?
Listen to your body. Let yourself expand progressively and feel the cahnage as your make up alters. You should know when you have to stop

3.) What are some good exercises/weight training programs to start off with for someone in my position?
The Benchpress is the typical Macho lifte. Try expanding the chest and shoulders first. Benchpress, Incline, Fly, Shoulder press, Shrugs, pulley work.

4.) I should be relocating within the next 6 months, and afterwards I intend on finding a trainer. What kind of qualities should I look for in a trainer? I'm not going to lie, I really want to take this seriously and see just how far I can go in this sport. I've never really given my all in anything, and I want someone who can be there to really push me to my limits while giving me the instruction I need.
Experimentation. If you look hgard enough you'll find one for you.

5.) Am I at a good age to start getting into this? Am I too old, too young, what?
Make no mistake if you want to box, you've got a lot of time to compensate for, but it can be done. Work hard.



My final point is that boxing is not the ideal sport for gaining muscle mass. Boxing is famed for toning and stripping fat, not getting bigger, so question your motives for starting boxing.

---

Understood, but I want to be a fighter, I just need to gain weight and mass to do it.

---

By gaining weight you are sacrificing a huge natural advantage in boxing competition; in terms of height and reach.

---

I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey

Where are you relocating to?
I run a gym in Bramwell,a buddy runs a gym in Tazwell,and Mullens produced Christy Martin,so your looking at a Toughman Champ,numerous pros,And Rough And Rowdy champs between the 3 gyms

---

I was planning on Columbus, but I'd love to check out one of your guys' gyms if I could find transportation.

---

Hit me a private message,and Ill hook you up with my phone number

TM, he can't PM you until he has 20 posts. But if you send him a message he will get it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Understood, but I want to be a fighter, I just need to gain weight and mass to do it.

---

By gaining weight you are sacrificing a huge natural advantage in boxing competition; in terms of height and reach.

---

I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean?

---

If you fight at 140lbs, thats light Welterweight. The average Light welter is 5' 6''

You will have a huge height advantage over your opposition.
Your arms will also be far longer allowing you to pick him off with your reach.

If you go up in weight, you'll fight taller guys, that can hit harder and like to hit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Understood, but I want to be a fighter, I just need to gain weight and mass to do it.

---

By gaining weight you are sacrificing a huge natural advantage in boxing competition; in terms of height and reach.

---

I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean?

---

What he's going for,is if you can learn to drive with your hips,and stay down in weight, you can stay down in weight class
If you can do that you should have reach in your division,which means you can pepper your opponent,and if your throwing your punches right,you'll maintain speed
Not everyone has the build to be a Heavyweight,play to your natural advantages,Tommy Hearns had a very long career doing that

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

By gaining weight you are sacrificing a huge natural advantage in boxing competition; in terms of height and reach.

---

I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean?

---

If you fight at 140lbs, thats light Welterweight. The average Light welter is 5' 6''

You will have a huge height advantage over your opposition.
Your arms will also be far longer allowing you to pick him off with your reach.

If you go up in weight, you'll fight taller guys, that can hit harder and like to hit.

---

But I'm a rail at 140, I can't even concieve putting on enough mass to do any sort of damage to anyone competing at that weight. I mean, maybe I'm just a dumb kid and don't know what I'm talking about, but I just don't think it's manageable given my frame.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thecontender13

TM, he can't PM you until he has 20 posts. But if you send him a message he will get it.

---

Hadnt checked his post count,got ya

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean?

---

If you fight at 140lbs, thats light Welterweight. The average Light welter is 5' 6''

You will have a huge height advantage over your opposition.
Your arms will also be far longer allowing you to pick him off with your reach.

If you go up in weight, you'll fight taller guys, that can hit harder and like to hit.

---

But I'm a rail at 140, I can't even concieve putting on enough mass to do any sort of damage to anyone competing at that weight. I mean, maybe I'm just a dumb kid and don't know what I'm talking about, but I just don't think it's manageable given my frame.

---

I was fighting at 6' and 140 and kicking ass. I'm now at 152.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

By gaining weight you are sacrificing a huge natural advantage in boxing competition; in terms of height and reach.

---

I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean?

---

What he's going for,is if you can learn to drive with your hips,and stay down in weight, you can stay down in weight class
If you can do that you should have reach in your division,which means you can pepper your opponent,and if your throwing your punches right,you'll maintain speed
Not everyone has the build to be a Heavyweight,play to your natural advantages,Tommy Hearns had a very long career doing that

---

I'm not trying to place myself in any particular class or anything, but if you were to look at me, there's almost no way I could fight efficiently at this weight. Sure, it may sound great on paper, but I'm borderline skin and bones right now and really dont see how I could change that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean?

---

If you fight at 140lbs, thats light Welterweight. The average Light welter is 5' 6''

You will have a huge height advantage over your opposition.
Your arms will also be far longer allowing you to pick him off with your reach.

If you go up in weight, you'll fight taller guys, that can hit harder and like to hit.

---

But I'm a rail at 140, I can't even concieve putting on enough mass to do any sort of damage to anyone competing at that weight. I mean, maybe I'm just a dumb kid and don't know what I'm talking about, but I just don't think it's manageable given my frame.

---

Check out Kelly Pavlik, Gerald McClellan, Alexis Arguello, all very slim men, all monster punchers;D

Sometimes being thin is a big advantage, just work on the tum!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean?

---

What he's going for,is if you can learn to drive with your hips,and stay down in weight, you can stay down in weight class
If you can do that you should have reach in your division,which means you can pepper your opponent,and if your throwing your punches right,you'll maintain speed
Not everyone has the build to be a Heavyweight,play to your natural advantages,Tommy Hearns had a very long career doing that

---

I'm not trying to place myself in any particular class or anything, but if you were to look at me, there's almost no way I could fight efficiently at this weight. Sure, it may sound great on paper, but I'm borderline skin and bones right now and really dont see how I could change that.

---

Bro,honest injun,look at prime Hearns,he looks like a stick figure,toning you might need. But honestly Im 6'5" and fought almost allways fought at Supper Middle. I dont have to make weight anymore but I allmost garuntee you if I checked the scale,Id be around 178.
Theres a stickied thread on what to eat,theres a start.
Id start lifting light weights,but high reps, to build tone up

Man with height and hence reach you have the advantage in punch power as well, T= F x R. It's physics man your power (torque) is going to be that much greater. If you learn to punch with your whole body you will be able to throw bombs. Even if you move up one weight division you will still be huge, i'm 5"11 and 72kg, you'd still have a massive advantage over guys like me and Donny. Don't let this discourage you, boxing is like 90% mental and when you realise this you know your mind is the limitation not the body. You should work on yourself mentally more than your body, not only will this help you in boxing but in life.

Now that I think about it, you guys are probably right about me keeping down in weight. Not having to feel like I have to gain a ton of weight definitely speeds up the process of actually getting started, too. I would like to be on a tad bit of weight though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Now that I think about it, you guys are probably right about me keeping down in weight. Not having to feel like I have to gain a ton of weight definitely speeds up the process of actually getting started, too. I would like to be on a tad bit of weight though.

---

Yea, there is nothing wrong with working towards getting to a weight you are comfortable with and feel good at. It is important for you to be happy with your own personally body image.

What the point we are getting at is, we often see a lot of people who feel they need to do things like gain or lose weight before starting boxing. This mindset often keeps them from actually starting. For to box...starting out, walking your butt through that gym door, is the fundamentally most important first step there is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thecontender13

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Now that I think about it, you guys are probably right about me keeping down in weight. Not having to feel like I have to gain a ton of weight definitely speeds up the process of actually getting started, too. I would like to be on a tad bit of weight though.

---

Yea, there is nothing wrong with working towards getting to a weight you are comfortable with and feel good at. It is important for you to be happy with your own personally body image.

What the point we are getting at is, we often see a lot of people who feel they need to do things like gain or lose weight before starting boxing. This mindset often keeps them from actually starting. For to box...starting out, walking your butt through that gym door, is the fundamentally most important first step there is.

---

You're right, I'm gonna check to see what all gyms I can find in my local area and talk to as many people as I can. I can worry about my body once I start learning the skills and can get advice from a trainer who can take a look at me in person.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thecontender13

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Now that I think about it, you guys are probably right about me keeping down in weight. Not having to feel like I have to gain a ton of weight definitely speeds up the process of actually getting started, too. I would like to be on a tad bit of weight though.

---

Yea, there is nothing wrong with working towards getting to a weight you are comfortable with and feel good at. It is important for you to be happy with your own personally body image.

What the point we are getting at is, we often see a lot of people who feel they need to do things like gain or lose weight before starting boxing. This mindset often keeps them from actually starting. For to box...starting out, walking your butt through that gym door, is the fundamentally most important first step there is.

---

You're right, I'm gonna check to see what all gyms I can find in my local area and talk to as many people as I can. I can worry about my body once I start learning the skills and can get advice from a trainer who can take a look at me in person.

---

You finally got it. When you get the technique right you'll be excercising the right muscles in the right way when doing boxing excercises on the bag and sparring. I was a strong gym rat when I started boxing (I was 22years old and weighed 225), but didn't stop me getting my nose busted by a 15 year old welter in my second sparring session.

Concentrate on just improving your overall strength with bodyweight excercises and abdominal work rather than going for muscle specific excercises like arm curls and that.

Okay guys, I've run into a bit of a problem here. I can't find a gym within managable distance of where I'm currently living, but I feel like I should be doing something. I'm afraid to do anything related to technique ( I won't even shadow box because I'm afraid I may build bad habits ) because I don't want to make the learning process harder on myself later. Am I right for being concerned about this?

Also, what kind of things could I do in the mean time that would be both physically beneficial and give me an edge going into training once I get set up with someone? I know it's probably hard to tell me exactly given that I'm basically just a blank face to you guys, but I really want to do something now that can at least get me moving in the right direction.

Maybe have a look thru some of the training logs, and try to find something that seems reasonable for you. You likely could put yourself together a good workout routine using bits and pieces from others.

Maybe do that and run it by us if you have questions. Also, I don't see a problem really with you shadow boxing and so on. Again, this time maybe look thru some of the assembled video's for tips.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Youngblood

Maybe have a look thru some of the training logs, and try to find something that seems reasonable for you. You likely could put yourself together a good workout routine using bits and pieces from others.

Maybe do that and run it by us if you have questions. Also, I don't see a problem really with you shadow boxing and so on. Again, this time maybe look thru some of the assembled video's for tips.

---

Thank you very much for your help and the help of everyone else here. Really, it means a lot more to me than you guys probably realise to have someone communicate things to me and take my desire to learn and participate in this great sport seriously.

Mate check out the File sharing board, I posted up links for the title boxing dvd's. They are awsome and are great to learn from if you have nothing else as they provide tips from world class trainers. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Salty

Mate check out the File sharing board, I posted up links for the title boxing dvd's. They are awsome and are great to learn from if you have nothing else as they provide tips from world class trainers. :)

---

I can't until I reach 100 posts. :(