The Ultimate Guide on Getting Into Boxing
Table of Contents
So, I’m sure you’re here because you want to learn how to get into boxing. I know that it seems pretty overwhelming when you’re first starting out and don’t know where to begin, but I’m here to help break things down into bite-sized steps to get you started off on the right foot. You don’t have to listen to me, but I’ve done this long enough to understand the game and I know what it takes to get from beginner to advanced. I was a beginner once too, and I probably had a lot of the same questions as you. Let me be a guide to you.
How to Get in to Boxing, What Should I Do?
The first thing everyone wants to know – “where do I start?”
1. Commit
First of all, before you go any further, commit. Obviously, there’s a part of you that’s interested and wants to learn boxing, but there’s always going to be that voice inside your head that tells you “this is too scary” or “I’m overwhelmed” or “where do I begin?”. Insert every other possible excuse in the book here. Make a decision today to commit and start taking action. This is by far the most important step.
There’s no way you can learn boxing without commitment. You’ll have to stay committed the entire time through whatever obstacle you might be facing.
2. Run a self-audit
So you’ve committed! Congratulations. The next step is to run a thorough self-audit and really analyze your starting position. Write down your strengths and weaknesses. Ask yourself the following questions:
Do you have enough time to train? Am I willing to make the time?
The time commitment could range from 30-90 minutes per training session. This could be from a few times a week to every day, depending on how serious you want to be. Obviously, the more work you put in, the faster you will improve.
Where are you going to train? Is it going to be in a gym or at home?
Do you have a mode of transportation to get to the gym? Do you have a suitable space to train at home? How far away is the gym? Can you commit to getting there every day? Make sure to consider your environment and make sure it will meet you needs.
What is your financial situation?
Be honest with yourself. Boxing isn’t the most expensive thing, but it’s still going to cost money to get started, whether on a gym membership, a program or coaches.
Some gyms will allow you to train for free in exchange for sweat equity. Are you willing to invest more time cleaning/working for the gym?
What is your current physical state?
Do you have any injuries or illnesses you’re dealing with that might impede your training and do you need to take steps to get those corrected first?
Are you obese or underweight? Think about your fitness and physical goals and where you want to end up. Don’t let this impact you too much in the beginning, but it’s just something to be aware of so you know where you’re starting from.
What is your family/social situation like?
What’s your situation at home? Are you going to have support or will you be facing resistance? If your family is against you learning to fight, start thinking about conversations you’ll need to have with them. Examples might be talking about the potential of getting hit in the head, explaining why boxing would be a benefit to you, etc.
This is not necessarily something that will impact you immediately, but you might have to think about this later down the line.
3. Find your motivators and goals
Another part of this that ties into the self-audit is analyzing your reasons and motivations for wanting to get in to boxing. Why are you doing this? Be 110% honest with yourself. These reasons will turn into goals that will motivate you when times get tough.
Do you have anger issues and are you looking for an outlet?
Boxing is an excellent outlet and a great way to relieve stress. I had anger issues when I was younger so this was one of my main motivators when I first started boxing.
Are you trying to get in shape?
While the main purpose of learning to box is not “getting fit”, it is definitely a side effect and fitness is a huge part.
Are you looking to join a tribe?
Some of the best friendships I have were made in the boxing gym.
Do you want to learn how to defend yourself?
This is definitely an obvious one.
Are you doing it to make chicks to like you?
This one was another big motivator for me. I was a pretty goofy guy before boxing.
Are you simply bored and want to learn a new skill?
It doesn’t matter what the reason is, find your why. To be honest with you, you’ll probably find many more reasons once you start.
If you’re looking for a more in-depth overview of the benefits of boxing and potential reasons why you should give boxing a try, check out my article on Benefits of Boxing here.
4. Take Action
Start moving towards your goal. You’ll be surprised how much you figure out along the way. Keep researching, but make sure to actually start boxing. Get your ass to the gym (or the place you plan to train at) and get involved.
If you choose to take a boxing class at a gym, know that most of the classes available at general gyms (not specifically boxing gyms) are going to be fitness-based, but even that’s a start.
While you’re taking action, pay close attention to the list of things I recommend you DO and DON’T DO below. These are great to keep in mind and will help keep your path straight.
The Do’s and Don’ts of How to Get in to Boxing
As someone who’s been boxing for over 15 years and who’s helped many people start, I’ve compiled a list of Do’s and Don’ts that you should keep in mind when you’re trying to start boxing. You want to become a boxer but don’t know where to start? Look no further. Here’s an ultimate list of things you should and shouldn’t do.
1. DON’T Preplan
Getting into boxing is already intimidating as it is. Don’t spend hours overthinking what you’re going to do and when you’re going to do it. You’re not going to get everything figured out before you even start. Don’t be an obsessive type A personality person that thinks they’re going to get to the bottom of everything before they even step foot into a gym.
2. DON’T think you need to ‘Get into shape first’
Getting into shape is going to be a result of learning to box and you would be wasting valuable time just working out separately, thinking that it’s going to improve your boxing experience. Is running going to help you box? Not necessarily. Boxing helps you get good at boxing. Will running improve your conditioning? Of course, but you can just as effectively do that through boxing.
Kill 2 birds with one stone – when you learn to box, fitness and working out will be a HUGE part of it.
3. DON’T drink raw eggs in the morning
If you’ve seen Rocky, everyone thinks that drinking raw eggs in the morning is part of the game. It’s really not. You don’t need to get salmonella to be a boxer. There are plenty of healthier and tastier protein options you should be reaching for, for instance try boiling your eggs! Here’s a tip for you – 17 minutes to the perfect hard-boiled egg.
On another note, don’t overwhelm yourself with some sort of strict diet before you even start training. However, make sure not to binge on beers and cheeseburgers either. Nutrition is more about common sense then you might think.
4. DON’T punch a cow corpse in a meat locker
Again, we’ve all seen Rocky punching some corpse in a meat locker. Please keep in mind that you’re not Sylvester Stallone and you have much better options for punching bags. Try a heavy bag before PETA finds out you’re punching animals and comes after your ass. You won’t look cool and it’s honestly not that effective.
While we’re on the subject of movies, stop watching cheesy action movies and thinking that the training montage will be relevant to your boxing journey. The realities of training are going to be quite surprising once you start, and I promise it’s going to be a lot less glamourous than any movie ever shows.
Have you ever seen Rocky just sitting there stretching for 15-20 minutes straight in various Yoga poses? I didn’t think so. You better get ready for it because maintaining flexibility and taking care of your body is going to be part of the game.
5. DON’T rush the process
Learning to box is going to take time. This is a self-paced journey and you’re not going to learn everything in a week, a month or even a year. People spend anywhere from many years to an entire LIFETIME perfecting this art. Have patience and trust the process.
This also includes rushing to spar or to make hard contact. As guys, we’re always trying to prove how big our balls are, sometimes by getting into fights that we’re not ready for. Don’t be an idiot and hurt yourself trying to prove something. I know we all want to think we’re tough but wait to do that until you have some skills you can fall back on. The ring can be unforgiving.
Additionally, don’t get overwhelmed. There’s going to be a lot to learn and work on, but that’s all part of the fun.
6. DO start boxing
What do I mean by this? I mean you actually need to start getting involved. You can’t learn boxing without actually boxing. You’d be surprised to know how much you’ll learn just through trial and error. Now I’m not saying that you’re going to learn everything all at once, but this journey will take a lot of trial and error through repetition and experimentation until things click.
Make it a point to start before you actually feel ready. I know that sounds like a scary thing, but you’re never going to actually feel 100% ready. Take the leap, you’re stronger than you think you are.
7. DO look up videos on how to stand, how to move, and how to punch
Look up a few basic videos on how to stand, move and punch. With the advent of the internet, there should be no excuses that you don’t have access to information any more.
Check out videos on YouTube and check out my channel too, while you’re at it. If you’re wondering why I’m not speaking in the videos, it’s because my book has the explanations plus QR codes that link to the videos. If you’re interested, you can find it here.
While looking up videos, don’t look up overcomplicated combos and crazy workouts just yet – start simple and keep it basic. We need to learn to stand before we can run.
Let this blog be a valuable resource to you and if you want more information, check out my products and my FAQ page if you’ve got questions. I’m also happy to answer any questions you might have that haven’t already been covered.
8. DO watch boxing fights
If boxing is something you’re going to be doing eventually, you might as well see what it looks like when it’s performed by professionals at the highest level. Pay attention to the way they move and to their techniques. See how much you can pick up from them and what you might want to apply to your own style someday. Keep in mind you have access to an entire encyclopedia of fights online, which wasn’t accessible 30 years ago. Use the resources you have access to.
9. DO get a punching bag
You’re going to be punching things eventually and a punching bag is a great investment. They’re easy to obtain and start punching. Granted, you won’t know how to correctly work a heavy bag right off the bat, but you’ll get the feel of punching something solid and it’s a great tool to let out aggression and start working with. Plus as a boxer, you’re going to want to hit something.
While you’re at it, consider purchasing some other beginner equipment. Tons of equipment isn’t necessary when you’re starting. At the end of the day, the best tool that I can recommend will always be a mirror.
Keep in mind that heavy bags are just another tool, but they’re not the be-all-end-all of boxing when it comes to learning how to box.
10. DO research boxing clubs or gyms in your area to join
It’s a great idea to start doing some preliminary research to find a gym that might be a good fit for you. Not all gyms are created equal and there are definitely gyms that might work better for you than others. This difference could absolutely be better in terms of time, money and your health. Here’s a link to a great post if you want more specifics on how to choose a great boxing gym.
11. DO start to find training partners
Boxing can be hard on your own. If you can’t find a gym nearby that would be a good fit, it’s a great idea to at least find a partner that you can train with. This doesn’t just mean someone to fight and spar with, but someone to grow with as well. Eventually, you’re going to need training partners to push you and make you better. Iron sharpens iron.
12. DO put in the work
Like with any skill, this is true in boxing. You need to put in the work, even when you don’t want to or don’t “feel” like it. In order to master this art, it’s going to take tons of hours and a lot of sacrifice. You can’t fake fighting – you need to put in the hours. You can’t exactly buy this skill, it must be earned.
While you can’t buy this skill, you can speed up the process by training smart and finding the right programs, mentors and coaches.
*Wink, wink* My Budo Boxing Blueprint is an excellent resource to learn boxing. If you’re interested, check it out here.
If books are more your style, Budo Boxing – The Way of Boxing is a resource that I put 15+ years of knowledge into.
13. DO follow REAL boxers on social media
If you’re researching how to get in to boxing, you’re probably already following some famous fighters on social media. I urge you to understand that not every fighter is a great coach, and we live in a fitness-guru and influencer generation where everyone thinks they’re an expert when that’s not always the case. There are a lot of phonies out there, just make sure the people you’re following are legit. Here are a couple of good resources I recommend:
- Frank Boxing on IG (@frankboxingcoach)
- Coach Anthony on IG (@coachanthony)
- Budo Boxing (of course) on IG (@budoboxing)
14. DO just start boxing
It’s funny how we come full circle, but this is honestly one of the most important things you can do. Just get started. The learning should never end, definitely keep reading and researching, but take action and apply what you’re learning.
How to Get in to Boxing at Home with the Budo Boxing System
In the age of Corona, gyms might be closed and/or you might not want to leave your home. You might also be having trouble finding sparring partners or people who are willing to train with you.
I’ve developed a complete system to effectively learn boxing by yourself at home, without the need for super expensive equipment or a gym. I have been developing this system over the past 6 years and have used it to effectively train over 100 clients remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m offering you the opportunity to sign up for my 6-week online program to help you truly unlock your boxing potential.
Another great option for beginners who want to get into boxing at home is my book, Budo Boxing – The Way of Boxing. Available on Amazon, I give you in-depth explanations and QR codes to video demonstrations to help you on your journey.
If you enjoy this blog, have any questions or suggestions for future posts, please don’t hesitate to contact me at budoboxing@gmail.com.
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