Boxing/ Professional fighting

[LittleMissOneBigMess]

Hey there,

Well I've always wanted to try boxing, take some classes and what not,not to go professional or anything but just for a good new workout/activity. I plan on contacting a few of my local boxing gyms and gyms to see about their classes and stuff. Mostly I wanna try it for a new way to let all my emotions out, excercizing usually makes me a little less rage face but I've become bored with alot of my regular stuff, I'm also working on improving and losing some weight so i figured something this would not only be enjoyable but also could help me, also I'd like to be able to learn how to defend myself and control some of my anger, but there are a few thing, I'm not the thinnest girl either but I'm hoping that really be a big factor for starting out, so is there anything I should know, preutions, tips etc would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tessa

[BBECK DeChamp]

My best advice for it is be ready. Boxing takes loads of work, so you will need to have a good mindset and work ethic for it. And for the first couple weeks youll be pretty sore, or at least I was. I did a lot of cardio, and a decent amount of weight training, And youll have to beable to take a punch or two. lol. But if your really into it youll love it.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Whether you're thin or not doesn't matter because even at the professional level, some boxers are very thin, such as Manny Pacquiao, whereas others are very wide, such as Eric "Butterbean" Esch.

However, boxing is like any other martial art, you'll become muscular no matter how much fat is over it. Since boxing is full-contact, you also need to be able to receive as well as take punches. For self-defense boxing can be good but remember you don't do any kicks, take-downs, joint locks (standing or while on the ground), etc... . I don't train in boxing, although I do some full-contact martial arts and you'll be pretty sore no matter how skilled you get. But you'll definitely get one amazing work-out.

I'm not sure how often it happens but you may have injuries such as a "boxer's break" from hook punches due to the gloves and hand-wrapping. For my full-contact training, in tournaments you're only allowed a mouth guard and cup, no gloves allowed. Sparring with partners can also be bare-knuckle or with light padding. I'm not sure how you'll train as it'll probably vary amongst gyms.

When you start, you'll be sore because your body isn't used to the training. This will happen in pretty much any martial art. Try to remember though that even when you're being punched, it's not meant to be a no-rule brawl because your partner isn't going to like it and you may eat some much harder punches. Also, work out and practice outside the gym, both in terms of cardio, weight-lifting, shadow-boxing, etc... .

[Thomas_TGT]

I box to keep it shape. It's an INTENSE cardio workout, especially if you have a good trainer. My dad was an amateur boxer on his university team, so he trains me... And works me to the bone. I've done all sorts of workouts, from Insanity to P90x. I also played semi-pro soccer and boxing is honestly the best full body workout I've ever gotten.

If you're actually going to box, learn how to take a hit. And more importantly... Learn how to not get it. It hurts a lot LOL