Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions, as well as those preconceived notions. While some of them of them are very specific to our club, others are pretty universal when it comes to boxing training. Several of these have also been covered in much greater depth on this very blog and others are brand new.
Do I need to be in shape to start boxing?
Not at all. In fact there really is no better way to get in shape than to start boxing. We have had people of all fitness levels come to our club and everyone goes at their own pace. If you box consistently, you will be amazed at how quickly your conditioning improves too.
Why should I train in boxing vs. some other workout?
Lots of good reasons! Boxing is a full-body workout, which combines resistance training and HIIT cardio. Boxing builds functional strength and functional skills. Skills for self-defense but even more basic than that - balance, coordination, agility, reaction time. This also means that you are always getting better at boxing and won't hit the same ceilings you would with other exercise programs. Stress relief is another great reason too. And boxing is also different than any other workout you will do! A lot of people come here looking to mix things up, which is not just good for their own interest level, but also for their bodies too. Oh yeah, and boxing is also fun!
Why train at your club vs. some other boxing gym?
Because we are more technically-focused than other gyms and teach more than anyone else. Also because no one is going to care more about your well-being and fitness journey than us. No one. We are completely owner-operated and do this out of a true passion for introducing others to our favorite sport and workout, helping them truly feel better and stronger than ever.
What is a class like?
At our club, we have everyone brand new arrive early. After wrapping their hands, we give them a short tutorial on the basics of boxing - each punch, footwork, defense, anything special we are doing in that particular class. Once the bell rings, we have a very short warm-up, followed by10 three-minute boxing rounds on the heavy bag and sometimes mitts. Then we end with a very challenging core workout, as a strong core is the secret to improving your punching abilities. Every class is different and every week we have a different focus that we work on. Everything is directed and coached by the trainer.
Is there a "Beginner Class"?
Our classes are designed so that anyone at any skill level can take them and improve their skills and fitness every time. It is definitely a lot to take in for a beginner, but the good news is that no one has to learn it all in one class! The key is to be okay with that, keep moving, and things will start to fall into place faster than you might think. We have noticed that people really improve quickly in this type of environment. Experienced members get better every class too. There are always things to work on.
Will everyone be looking at me and know that I am brand new?
No! It's not like a lot of other group exercise classes where everyone faces a mirror and can see what everybody else is doing. Each person has their own heavy bag and stays focused on that. Boxing requires concentration and our classes are pretty fast-paced, so there just isn't any time to watch others. We're a very small club with a great membership base, so socializing is certainly encouraged before and after class, but once that bell rings, it is all business!
I am unable to try a class this week but can I schedule for next week/month?
You certainly can, but I can also tell you from lots of experience in the fitness industry, if someone is interested in starting a new exercise program, ESPECIALLY something very different like boxing, the likelihood of them making it to a class that is over a week away or more is almost zero. I've even told people this, they have told me that they will be the exception for sure, but then they never make it either. It is just human nature. Stuff always comes up and the longer you put it off, the more you lose your nerve to try out something new. Because it is hard to step outside your comfort zone.
We have had people come back even years later to finally try a class but it was only because they got the bug to try it again and jumped right in this time. You have to strike while the iron is hot, so if you are interested in trying out boxing (or anything), do it as soon as possible!
Is boxing training dangerous?
If you are boxing competitively - you punch someone and they punch you - the answer is certainly yes. If you are training on heavy bags, punching mitts or shadowboxing, absolutely not. In fact, this kind of training is far safer than most any regular exercise routines people follow.
Do you teach "Fitness Boxing" or is it Boxing boxing?
We offer non-competitive boxing classes for all levels where we teach literally everything you would do in a real fight - punches, defense, head movement, hand movement footwork, angles, positioning, rhythm, timing, feints, strategy and the "why" behind everything we do. We are extremely technically-focused and even in our larger group classes, the coach is able to also work with each person individually. It is definitely not "fitness boxing" like so many of those other boutique concepts (including other TITLE Boxing Clubs, our franchise) and big box gym classes.
We also do private, 1-on-1 training where we can dive into any area of boxing, kickboxing or self-defense.
Can I really learn boxing in a group environment or do I need private training to really get better?
You can definitely learn in a group environment and we have plenty of members who have become technically brilliant just from consistently attending classes with the desire to improve. That part is key too. Learning is a 2-way street. Coaches can teach you in a group class but you have to be able to listen, be receptive and push yourself to learn.
Private, 1-on-1 training is certainly a faster way to learn but either way, you will get to your destination.
What if I just want to work out and don't care about learning how to box?
The thing that we stress is that the two are not mutually exclusive. The more you learn how to box, the better your workout will be. You'll throw more powerful punches using more muscles and burning more calories and improving your cardio output. If you approach it as just punching a bag and the more times you punch it the better, you will certainly get a workout, but it will have a ceiling. At some point, you will just be doing the exact same thing over and over again and as we all know, if it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you.
That being said, we will always have folks who still aren't interested and/or don't believe and that is fine.
I am small and not very strong so I can't throw powerful punches though, right?
Wrong! Power doesn't come from being big and strong in boxing. Learning proper technique and throwing punches properly and accurately is how you develop power. Sure, someone larger and stronger who learns this technique may punch harder, but I guarantee that everyone is capable of more power than they think they have. You wouldn't believe some of the power I have seen from some of our most unassuming members.
Should I start with a boxing or kickboxing class?
If you are brand new to boxing and kickboxing, you should 100%, absolutely, positively start with a BOXING CLASS. But what if you're more interested in kickboxing? It's still better to start with boxing. I have seen many people do both and can guarantee it will be a more positive first experience to box first. There are several reasons but the biggest one is terminology. You will be learning a lot of names for strikes and movements and it is a lot easier to learn fewer names all at once. There are also a lot of preconceived notions about kickboxing vs boxing that aren't necessarily true, but once you get an understanding of a basic stance, footwork and punches, it makes learning the kicks/knees/elbows/etc. much more digestible.
Your club offers 30 and 45-minute classes, should I just start with a 30-minute class because I am new?
No! Our 30-minute classes are during the lunch hour and made to go really, really fast. Thus, they are not as conducive to a first-time learning experience. We have had some folks start with them and like it but starting with a 45-minute class is best.
Should I eat before working out?
Unless you work out very early in the morning, like 5 or 6am, I would recommend eating at least a little something 1-2 hours before your workout (if you have a big meal, maybe longer). I'd also recommend to start drinking more water before working out too. But of course, every body is different. Go with what works for you!
What should I wear to my first class?
Normal workout attire is just fine. Any sneaker that is not specifically made for long distance running will work. Even a distance running shoe is okay, but they are not made for omnidirectional movement, which is what we do in boxing so lateral steps and pivots won't have as much support. There are certainly good boxing-specific shoes and if you end up getting serious about the sport, can be helpful, but not necessary!
Oh, and always bring water!
What equipment do I need to start boxing?
For heavy bag training at our club, you just need a pair of hand wraps plus gloves that are at least 12 ounces each.
Do I really need wraps and/or gloves for class? I used to box without wraps all the time!
Our heavy bags are 100 pounds, hanging and very solid. Punching without wraps or gloves will eventually lead to injuries. Some other bags, like the freestanding ones, are softer and but even in that case, it really isn't worth it. Why take the slightest chance that you could hurt your hands, which you use for everything in daily life? And punching light on purpose also serves no real value.
Is boxing just cardio training?
Plenty of people, particularly weightlifters, tend to think this but it is not true. Boxing is cardio PLUS resistance training. Again, you are punching a 100-pound heavy bag at our club. Every time your fist lands, your entire body has to absorb the impact. You can get toned, defined muscles just by boxing and lifting no weights whatsoever.
But will boxing training wreck my gains?
This is highly unlikely but another thing some of weightlifters believe, in part because they look biggest in the mirror after a power lifting workout, pumps firing, and don't look that way after a boxing workout. This can be somewhat of a temporary illusion though. How you look at that exact moment post-workout is not always as meaningful in the long term. If your goal is purely muscular hypertrophy (mass) and you care about nothing else and you box a lot and don't compensate with diet, I guess yeah, there is a chance your muscular growth may be slightly affected. But I guarantee you will be a lot stronger, functionally! And you won't lose definition, just potentially some bulk. Again, this is a pretty extreme situation- someone who spends hours at the gym going for hypertrophy and boxes very frequently. I haven't known anyone like that. But if you're just a regular broham who lifts for an hour 3-4 days a week and boxes for an hour twice a week, I highly doubt it will wreck your gains.
What muscles are used for boxing?
All of them! For real. A lot of people assume that boxing just works the upper body because we're throwing punches. What they don't know is that when you learn how to throw punches properly, it actually begins in the feet and transfers through the entire kinetic chain to your fists. As you get these mechanics down, most of your power will come from the legs, hips, glutes and core. Punching isn't just a push either. There is a push-pull element so you will also learn how to use your posterior side to throw punches, along with your anterior. Plus there is boxing footwork and defensive movements that hit all the muscles too.
How often should I train at boxing?
This is always going to depend on what your particular goals are and other training schedule (if any). For most folks, 2-3 times is pretty decent. More is better, of course, but you will develop at a good pace. Consistency really is the key because as mentioned before, boxing is a skill-set, so consistent training will snowball into better boxing, as well as a better workout.
How long will it take me to get good at boxing?
This depends on you, too, and how often you train, but if you stick to the plan above, 2-3 times every week, you will make some pretty big strides in only a month's time at our club. Much faster than I learned initially and it is because our classes teach you just about everything right away. You won't learn it all right away, of course, but the seeds get planted and things usually start clicking a bit more after that month of consistent training. Then, in the next few months, the muscle memory aspect starts to solidify and the movements go from feeling very unnatural to natural. So you can establish a pretty good skill base in a few months of time of consistent training.
But the great thing about boxing is that you get better and better the more you do it. There are a million little nuances to every movement that can always be improved. And as always, everybody goes at their own pace. There is no pressure to learn as quickly as anyone else, it is just You vs. You.
I have a heavy bag at home and mess around on my own, do I really need to box in a group class?
If you want to get better at boxing, absolutely yes! If you don't and potentially want to develop some bad habits, then heavy bag training on your own is just fine. Boxing as they say, is a sweet science. It's an intricate sport with many nuances to it. No one ever perfects it, we just all try to get a little better every time. To do this, you need a coach. There are a lot of things we can learn from the internet but unless someone is directing you, observing, and providing feedback, it is hard to improve. What's worse is that you may actually develop those bad habits I mentioned and then they get harder to fix later on, as they become engrained in muscle memory.
Do I need to spar or compete to really learn boxing?
If your goal is ultimately to compete and fight another person, then yes, you will need some live practice for sure. But you also need to crawl before you can walk. Jumping into the ring right away or even after a little training is actually the WORST way how to learn boxing. Not because you could get hurt but because you will learn bad habits and they will be much harder to fix later on. Boxing is not natural. Watch a boxing match and a street fight and you'll see a pretty big difference. Learning the proper movements, body mechanics, footwork, defensive options and strategy takes time. You don't just practice until you get it right. You practice until you can't get it wrong. That could take 6 months to a year for some people. If you're not interested in competition, then there is no good reason to ever spar against another person. It can be nice to see some of the strategic stuff we practice playing out in the ring but it's not going to benefit you physically at all. You can learn all the technique of every movement in boxing, including defense, without ever having to take a punch.
Is boxing good for self-defense?
Boxing is great for self-defense! Not just because you are learning how to throw and evade punches but because it trains your mind and body to go from a passive state into a fighting state. During a self-defense scenario, people are often not expecting to be attacked and even when the attack does come, not sure how to react. Making this kind of a state change is the hardest part of being able to successfully defend yourself from any kind of threat. Many people tend to freeze up but the more experience you have with combat sports like boxing, the more naturally you may be able to change to a combat state. Plus, boxing builds confidence, and confidence can be a deterrent to predators and bullies.
If I get really good at boxing, will I have to register my hands as deadly weapons?
Okay, maybe this isn't a "frequently" asked question but I have had people tell me, in all seriousness and sincerity, that they knew someone who once had to register their hands as deadly weapons because of extensive martial arts training. Unfortunately, this is not a thing. I wish it were but no, nobody registers their hands (or any parts of their body) as deadly weapons.
Do you have age limits?
We have had a pretty diverse group of ages take our classes. Anywhere from 9-81 thus far. I can say from a lot of experience that 12-13 is usually the cut-off as far as younger folks being able to stay engaged with a class. It is very much dependent on the individual. And as mentioned earlier, because everybody goes at the their own pace, it really doesn't matter what condition you are in.
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