hook/loop for sure b/c of what you said. how will you tie your own?

You don't have to buy anything to start... the gym should have it all, if you can stomach sharing sweaty gloves. I couldn't so I bought my own, but at 33yo my budget's higher than yours.

Just go and check it out... are the guys welcoming? does anyone appear hurt (ie, jerks and bad form)? is it clean and tidy (a personal thing for me)? is the staff working with guys with mits and on the bags? etc. you might be able to go day-to-day for $8-10 or so... you might want to do that to first check it out.

Re equipment, the guys will be able to show you what to buy from the magazines (ringside) and they'll give you correct length wraps.

Just tell your parents that you'd like to go to train for the upcoming season and you have no intentions on actually competing. You'll light spar in time, but nobody gets hurt. And trust me, boxing is a GREAT workout, even better than the dreaded practice without pucks. I play hockey too....for double the years than you've been alive! Even played some "all-star" or as you yanks call it, "travel hockey."