Want to start boxing

[TyBuff]

The problem with weight lifting is that big bulky muscles have no use in boxing. If you are just using boxing to get into better cardio shape then go ahead with the body building things. But if you are wanting to compete and be the best you can at boxing then they wont help you in boxing. Do low weights with high reps. Choose a weight that you can curl/bench/(whatever else) for 15 times in 2 or 3 sets. This will help build muscular endurance, which is what you want with boxing.

[Rav_Sandhu]

Thanks, that's exactly what I've been wondering. Last month when weight got easy so I tried lifting higher ones, I was able to do it but only on low reps building mass which isn't really much use, so I went back to by current weight and began to wonder if I'll get anywhere just doing higher reps. Your comment has shed a lot of light, I'll carry on with what I'm doing.

Another thing I really need to know is what's recommended to be the best times for jogging? I can only really do up to four sessions a week with me being in education and studying for my GCSE's, I really need to start because I'm starting to get fat and slow.. I was thinking Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00AM. I'll jog for about 30-60 min's and hope to burn off fat and build some more speed and stamina before I get coaching and to help me stay fit and healthy. Does that sound like a good idea?

I'm also trying to eat cleaner.

Thanks.

-Rav.

[TyBuff]

Thanks, that's exactly what I've been wondering. Last month when weight got easy so I tried lifting higher ones, I was able to do it but only on low reps building mass which isn't really much use, so I went back to by current weight and began to wonder if I'll get anywhere just doing higher reps. Your comment has shed a lot of light, I'll carry on with what I'm doing.

Another thing I really need to know is what's recommended to be the best times for jogging? I can only really do up to four sessions a week with me being in education and studying for my GCSE's, I really need to start because I'm starting to get fat and slow.. I was thinking Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00AM. I'll jog for about 30-60 min's and hope to burn off fat and build some more speed and stamina before I get coaching and to help me stay fit and healthy. Does that sound like a good idea?

I'm also trying to eat cleaner.

Thanks.

-Rav.

Some of the other guys can tell you more, but I tell you what I know. I was told once by a guy that trained with the US Olympic boxing team to run for 2-3 miles, so try to do that on the days you plan on running. He also said to jump rope for 20-30 minutes, do that on the days you dont run. Then when you can go 30 minutes do it everyday. You will be amazed at how much jumping rope helps with your cardio. I was doing it consistently for a couple of months and my workouts began to get so much easier and I was in much better cardio shape. Some other guys on this board have had similar experience's. Also do situps, you will need to build you stomach muscles.

[Sharla]

Mon, Weds and Friday sounds fantastic. Later - especially since you are time limited now - you could do more but that should be enough with the other things you are doing to see some big benefits for a while.

Especially if you are time limited I don't think you need to push for an hour.

My favourite session is a running workout known as the Monaghetti Fartleck (named after a famous Australian runner who came up with it)

Warm up - for me about 5 min jog, stretch, 10 mins easy jog and then (without stopping) do the following:

90 sec hard running, 90 sec moderate/easy pace X 2
60 sec hard running, 60 sec moderate/easy pace X 2
45 sec sec hard running, 45 sec moderate/easy pace X 2
30 sec hard running, 30 sec moderate/easy pace X 4
15 sec sec hard running, 15 sec moderate/easy pace X 4

And finish off with an easy jog for 5 or 10 mins and a stretch to warm down.

It's not a time consuming workout but done hard it will make you work. You want to aim to be able to do it without going to too slow in the easy parts and make the shorter hard intervals at least as hard or harder than the longer hard ones. To begin with the most important things is NOT to stop unless you are injured. Then you can learn that however tired you are you can recover on the move to go hard again. Having confidence in my ability to do that has helped me dig deep in a few of my more challenging boxing fights.

I love doing this in a group where the faster people jog back behind everyone else in the easy parts and have to catch up in the hard parts. Gives everyone someone to catch up to or stay in front of and makes it more exciting than when done alone.

Still if you haven't done much running before you might find this is anything but fun when attempting it, especially without company. Many beginner runners find a 30 minute jog challenging enough. There is no shame in that and in that case just doing the time at any pace will build your fitness quickly over the first 2 or 3 weeks.

That workout was one of many which are common in running clubs and often found in running mags. If you want more ideas i can give you a few and you can probably find some on the web. A popular running magazine in Australia is called Runners World and is full of juicy little gems like that one :-)

Some sprinting workouts with rests between sprints will also be valuable closer to boxing competition time. However, moderate length running workouts without stopping are probably best for you right now since you'll burn more fat and set up your running fitness and muscle base in a way which will lower your risk of pulling/straining muscles etc.

[md]

maybe a rocket up your a*** will make you lose your fat quicker. Piss taker.

[Rav_Sandhu]

Sharla, thanks very much! That looks great, I'll try it

md, I tried the rocket...didn't work too well.

[md]

Sorry Rav, I didn't write that last comment that's the problem letting mates on the computer. Have a cc on me

[Rav_Sandhu]

Its ok md

Went for my first jog today, I was absolutely exhausted after just jogging easy for 15 mins I guess I'm going to have to try real hard to just be able to do fartleck, could'nt make a good attempt today..Just ended up jogging for 45 mins because 90 secs od hard running was just too much.

[AdamGB]

maybe a rocket up your a*** will make you lose your fat quicker. Piss taker.

md tell your mate they become a personal trainer...

[Sharla]

Now what's this  !

There's no reason to feel bad - as I said most people who have not done much running will find it difficult to start with. I just put the monaghetti fartleck up since you seemed determined to run for an hour and I wanted to show you it is possible to make the most of a shorter run.

If you just want to do a straight jog that's fine! It will benefit you.

An easier step up to make it a little more challenging would be the following:

10 min easy warm up
30 seconds at a moderate pace and 1 min easy X 10
10 min easy warm down.

You can change that based on how you feel - make the slow parts and fast parts longer or shorter as you need to taylor it to your fitness level. It's just good to have a plan you remember so you can see your progress as you get fitter. You can also change the number of fast intervals. Remember you will find it harder or easier depending on the terrain, wind resistance etc aswell.

Otherwise choose a route with a few hills and/ steps which you tackle after warming up running on easier terrain.

Don't ever feel disheartened or like you won't be any good at running just because you struggle to begin with.

I started off doing less than you but then gradually improved and won US$7,500 running my first marathon!

No one would have ever guessed I'd do that - myself included. Speed for me took a few years to build up so a lack of huge instant success doesn't mean it won't come. I just kept with it because I enjoyed it.

The MOST important thing is to enjoy it - keep it interesting, pick places you like to run - if you let yourself enjoy it you will turn into a machine guaranteed!

I still consider boxing my main sport. I only run marathons around Christmans and times when I don't expect there to be many boxing shows to compete in. You don't need to do marathon distances to train for boxing. I think you'll be able to judge as an individual what type of sessions you get the most out of as you gain experience.

[md]

maybe a rocket up your a*** will make you lose your fat quicker. Piss taker.

md tell your mate they become a personal trainer...

He'd do ok, he's got a good work ethic himself. The only problem is, that's his subtle solution to everything:

feeling unfit - get a rocket up yer ass
feeling demotivated - get a rocket up yer ass
got a slight niggle - get a rocket up yer ass
got tonsillitis - get a rocket up yer ass

Although, I don't entirely disagree with him. Scrap mentioned something before about paralysis by analysis.

[Rav_Sandhu]

Sharla, Don't worry about it, since I went for that jog and did the little bit of fartleck I could everything seems to have gotten easier, I'm definitely going to try and go for the full fartleck run, even if I can't do the whole thing, I'll slowly get it in the end, there's no rush, I've got about 3 months till I start boxing. Sorry about all the "" - I was in a rush as I typed that from school.

Cheers for all the advice, you've been an invaluable help.

[porkypara]

Sharla, Don't worry about it, since I went for that jog and did the little bit of fartleck I could everything seems to have gotten easier, I'm definitely going to try and go for the full fartleck run, even if I can't do the whole thing, I'll slowly get it in the end, there's no rush, I've got about 3 months till I start boxing. Sorry about all the "" - I was in a rush as I typed that from school.

Cheers for all the advice, you've been an invaluable help.

Why are you waiting 3 months till you start?

The amuture boxing season will more or less be over by then and you wont be able to box till around next september when it starts again.

Get stuck in now mate.

[Rav_Sandhu]

Can't, I've got exams in June, GCSE's.I'll have to wait till there over.