Please give me your advice on this question.

I'm interested in learning " boxing skills. "

When I say " Boxing Skills " I don't mean becoming a boxer.
Nor do I intend to do any sparring at this point.

I want to learn boxing skills as a way to increase my fitness
level, develop some basic self-defense ability, and have an
outlet to channel built-up aggressions from the everyday
pressures of life.

These are the things I want to learn.

1. How to throw all the different punches ( jab, hook,
uppercut )
2. The Boxer's stance, positioning of arms, posture.
3. How to hit the heavy bag, speed bag, etc.
4. Some basic footwork
5. Boxing training methods

Simply stated, I want to learn the mechanics of boxing
training so that I can train like a boxer does. I plan on
having 3 boxing training sessions a week or so. But I don't
just want to buy a heavy bag and throw punches at it. I want
to learn proper boxing technique and THEN begin boxing-type
training by having 3 sessions a week or so where I do several
rounds on the heavy bag, speed bag, jump rope, shadowbox, etc.

Can the boxers here tell me what the BEST way is for me to
proceed towards my goal ?

Can I learn what I need out of a boxing book ?

Or should I find a local boxer and pay him to give me lessons
on the things I mentioned above ?

Or should I try to find a boxing gym and see if someone there
can work with me for a fee ?

I would like to go to a boxing gym and learn these things.

But would they allow me to work out there since I have no
desire to spar or to become a competitive boxer ?

If they do have that attitude, I can understand since it
wouldn't be fair for me to take up a space that could be used
by someone who is actually a boxer who trains for matches.

So what would my best option be in learning how to develop
boxing skills ?

I appreciate all advice and insight on this. Thank you.

"Mike" <MrStrong65~hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7cfd37d2.0303120816.674abd1b~posting.google.com...
  > Please give me your advice on this question.
  >
  > I'm interested in learning " boxing skills. "
  >
  > When I say " Boxing Skills " I don't mean becoming a boxer.
  > Nor do I intend to do any sparring at this point.
  >
  > I want to learn boxing skills as a way to increase my
  > fitness level, develop some basic self-defense ability, and
  > have an outlet to channel built-up aggressions from the
  > everyday pressures of life.
  >
  > These are the things I want to learn.
  >
  > 1. How to throw all the different punches ( jab, hook,
  > uppercut )
  > 2. The Boxer's stance, positioning of arms, posture.
  > 3. How to hit the heavy bag, speed bag, etc.
  > 4. Some basic footwork
  > 5. Boxing training methods
  >
  > Simply stated, I want to learn the mechanics of boxing
  > training so that I can train like a boxer does. I plan on
  > having 3 boxing training sessions a week or so. But I don't
  > just want to buy a heavy bag and throw punches at it. I want
  > to learn proper boxing technique and THEN begin boxing-type
  > training by having 3 sessions a week or so where I do
  > several rounds on the heavy bag, speed bag, jump rope,
  > shadowbox, etc.
  >
  > Can the boxers here tell me what the BEST way is for me to
  > proceed towards my goal ?
  >
  > Can I learn what I need out of a boxing book ?
  >
  > Or should I find a local boxer and pay him to give me
  > lessons on the things I mentioned above ?
  >
  > Or should I try to find a boxing gym and see if someone
  > there can work with me for a fee ?
  >
  > I would like to go to a boxing gym and learn these things.
  >
  > But would they allow me to work out there since I have no
  > desire to spar or to become a competitive boxer ?
  >
  > If they do have that attitude, I can understand since it
  > wouldn't be fair for me to take up a space that could be
  > used by someone who is actually a boxer who trains for
  > matches.
  >
  > So what would my best option be in learning how to develop
  > boxing skills ?
  >
  > I appreciate all advice and insight on this. Thank you.

I suspect that if you go to a "real" boxing gym and say you
want to learn technique but not spar, they'll call you a big
wuss. A Boxercise-type class might be a better option.

Randy

"Mike" <MrStrong65~hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7cfd37d2.0303120816.674abd1b~posting.google.com...
  > Please give me your advice on this question.

(snip)

  > So what would my best option be in learning how to develop
  > boxing skills ?

Start running four times a week, work up to four or five miles
each time and then build up your speed. Learn to jump rope
like a mad man. Then get two pair of 16 oz. gloves and start
boxing with other people. If after all of this you are unable
to build up your confidence in handling yourself then boxing
is not for you.

  >
  > I appreciate all advice and insight on this. Thank you.

In article <7cfd37d2.0303120816.674abd1b~posting.google.com>,
MrStrong65~hotmail.com (Mike) wrote:

  > Please give me your advice on this question.
  >
  > I'm interested in learning " boxing skills. "
  >
  > When I say " Boxing Skills " I don't mean becoming a boxer.
  > Nor do I intend to do any sparring at this point.
  >
  > I want to learn boxing skills as a way to increase my
  > fitness level, develop some basic self-defense ability, and
  > have an outlet to channel built-up aggressions from the
  > everyday pressures of life.
  >
  > These are the things I want to learn.
  >
  > 1. How to throw all the different punches ( jab, hook,
  > uppercut )
  > 2. The Boxer's stance, positioning of arms, posture.
  > 3. How to hit the heavy bag, speed bag, etc.
  > 4. Some basic footwork
  > 5. Boxing training methods
  >
  > Simply stated, I want to learn the mechanics of boxing
  > training so that I can train like a boxer does. I plan on
  > having 3 boxing training sessions a week or so. But I don't
  > just want to buy a heavy bag and throw punches at it. I want
  > to learn proper boxing technique and THEN begin boxing-type
  > training by having 3 sessions a week or so where I do
  > several rounds on the heavy bag, speed bag, jump rope,
  > shadowbox, etc.
  >
  > Can the boxers here tell me what the BEST way is for me to
  > proceed towards my goal ?
  >
  > Can I learn what I need out of a boxing book ?
  >
  > Or should I find a local boxer and pay him to give me
  > lessons on the things I mentioned above ?
  >
  > Or should I try to find a boxing gym and see if someone
  > there can work with me for a fee ?
  >
  > I would like to go to a boxing gym and learn these things.
  >
  > But would they allow me to work out there since I have no
  > desire to spar or to become a competitive boxer ?

I boxed as a kid. You can't learn to box without sparring.
Simple as that. You can learn to throw a punch, but you can't
learn to box. Recognition and countering are crucial skills
that have to be developed through sparring. As well you learn
to slip and absorb a punch through sparring. I saw it time and
time again in karate where they would develop great skills,
but not learn to take it and then someone would land something
and you'd watch the person fall apart.

If you want to learn to throw punches and various combinations
go to a boxing gym. However, you aren't going to get much
respect there if you don't have the brass to spar.

In terms of self-defense boxing is of limited value. If the
person who you are facing has any grappling skills at all
you'll end up on the floor. If you are talking about winning a
few bar fights than you are probably on the right track. OTOH,
this is also fraught with danger. The other person may have a
weapon or wait for you outside with their vehicle or whatever
and even though you won the brawl you lose the war.

--
Keith Hobman

--- email address above is a non-monitored spam sink.

In article <7cfd37d2.0303120816.674abd1b~posting.google.com>,
Mike wrote: <snip I want to learn to box but am askeered of
getting hit>

1. Get a boxing trainer and work up to actually boxing.

or

2. Go take some gym-bunny boxercise class.

or

3. You could start learning the basics with a real trainer and
then jump ship when the sparring actually starts.

--
-aj

In article <7cfd37d2.0303120816.674abd1b~posting.google.com>,
MrStrong65 ~hotmail.com says...
  > Please give me your advice on this question.
  >
  > I'm interested in learning " boxing skills. "
  >
  > When I say " Boxing Skills " I don't mean becoming a boxer.
  > Nor do I intend to do any sparring at this point.
  >
  > I want to learn boxing skills as a way to increase my
  > fitness level, develop some basic self-defense ability, and
  > have an outlet to channel built-up aggressions from the
  > everyday pressures of life.
  >
  > These are the things I want to learn.
  >
  > 1. How to throw all the different punches ( jab, hook,
  > uppercut )
  > 2. The Boxer's stance, positioning of arms, posture.
  > 3. How to hit the heavy bag, speed bag, etc.
  > 4. Some basic footwork
  > 5. Boxing training methods
  >
  > Simply stated, I want to learn the mechanics of boxing
  > training so that I can train like a boxer does. I plan on
  > having 3 boxing training sessions a week or so. But I don't
  > just want to buy a heavy bag and throw punches at it. I want
  > to learn proper boxing technique and THEN begin boxing-type
  > training by having 3 sessions a week or so where I do
  > several rounds on the heavy bag, speed bag, jump rope,
  > shadowbox, etc.
  >
  > Can the boxers here tell me what the BEST way is for me to
  > proceed towards my goal ?
  >
  > Can I learn what I need out of a boxing book ?
  >
  > Or should I find a local boxer and pay him to give me
  > lessons on the things I mentioned above ?
  >
  > Or should I try to find a boxing gym and see if someone
  > there can work with me for a fee ?
  >
  > I would like to go to a boxing gym and learn these things.
  >
  > But would they allow me to work out there since I have no
  > desire to spar or to become a competitive boxer ?
  >
  > If they do have that attitude, I can understand since it
  > wouldn't be fair for me to take up a space that could be
  > used by someone who is actually a boxer who trains for
  > matches.
  >
  > So what would my best option be in learning how to develop
  > boxing skills ?
  >
  > I appreciate all advice and insight on this. Thank you.
  >

Many boxing gyms have "boxer's workout" classes for people who
want to go through the motions of the physical conditioning
but don't want to spar. It doesn't hurt to check out the local
gyms & ask. If you get attitude, it's probably not a place
you'd want to join even if you were planning on fighting
competitively.

I was at the first boxing gym I ever joined for only six
months (the owner had a stroke & had to close), but the owner
was so patient with newbies that I became hooked. At first, I
didn't think I wanted to spar, either, but I eventually got to
the point where I wanted to fight competitively. Alas, being
over 35 confined me to the master's class, on the rare
occasions that there was one.

Remember, when sparring the hard part isn't getting hit --
your adrenaline level is usually so high that you don't even
feel it until later. The hard part is to keep moving for the
entire round without collapsing -- three minutes seems like
an eternity!

Good luck...

Chris

--
CHRISTOPHER J. MOOREHEAD Toronto, Canada
cmoorehead~attglobal.net

"As matter of fact, an important class divide falls between
those who feel veneration before the term "executive", and
those who feel like throwing up." ~ Paul Fussell, "Class"

"Mike" <MrStrong65~hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7cfd37d2.0303120816.674abd1b~posting.google.com...
  > Please give me your advice on this question.
  >
  > I'm interested in learning " boxing skills. "

You could start dating Tonya Harding...

On Wed, 12 Mar 2003 10:33:59 -0600, khobman~sasktel.net (Keith
Hobman) wrote:

<snip>
  >In terms of self-defense boxing is of limited value. If the
  >person who you are facing has any grappling skills at all
  >you'll end up on the floor. If you are talking about winning
  >a few bar fights than you are probably on the right track.
  >OTOH, this is also fraught with danger. The other person may
  >have a weapon or wait for you outside with their vehicle or
  >whatever and even though you won the brawl you lose the war.

Peripherally related: Every few years in the states I run
across news stories on the lines of "Two men engaged in a bar
brawl. The loser fled, the winner remained at the bar. The
loser then returned with a gun and demonstrated surprisingly
good marksmanship for a drunk."

I can't understand why the message "If you're involved in
a bar fight, win or lose, leave" hasn't yet gotten through
to people.

Well, really I can understand it. I just find it annoying.

On Wed, 12 Mar 2003 16:25:07 GMT, "Randy Shrader"
<randyshrader~shaw.ca> wrote:

  >
  >"Mike" <MrStrong65~hotmail.com> wrote in message
  >news:7cfd37d2.0303120816.674abd1b~posting.google.com...
     >> Please give me your advice on this question.
     >>
     >> I'm interested in learning " boxing skills. "
     >>
     >> When I say " Boxing Skills " I don't mean becoming a boxer.
     >> Nor do I intend to do any sparring at this point.

[snip]

     >> I would like to go to a boxing gym and learn these things.
     >>
     >> But would they allow me to work out there since I have no
     >> desire to spar or to become a competitive boxer ?
     >>
     >> If they do have that attitude, I can understand since it
     >> wouldn't be fair for me to take up a space that could be
     >> used by someone who is actually a boxer who trains for
     >> matches.
     >>
     >> So what would my best option be in learning how to develop
     >> boxing skills ?
     >>
     >> I appreciate all advice and insight on this. Thank you.
  >
  >I suspect that if you go to a "real" boxing gym and say you
  >want to learn technique but not spar, they'll call you a big
  >wuss. A Boxercise-type class might be a better option.
  >

I suspect that money will talk, regardless of your goals. If
you go to a weight lifting gym and only work out on the
machines, the strength trainers might think you're a wuss, but
who gives a flying f?

Besides, I suspect the people training there would be more
interested and focused on their own training than worrying
about what other people are doing (or not doing).

You only have one life. It sounds like you got the money and
want to hook up with a real trainer. Go do it, ya big wuss!

Thunder9

NOSPAM is antispam

Randy Shrader wrote:
  >
  > "Mike" <MrStrong65~hotmail.com> wrote in message
  > news:7cfd37d2.0303120816.674abd1b~posting.google.com...
     > > Please give me your advice on this question.
     > >
     > > I'm interested in learning " boxing skills. "
     > >
     > > When I say " Boxing Skills " I don't mean becoming a
     > > boxer. Nor do I intend to do any sparring at this point.
     > >
     > > I want to learn boxing skills as a way to increase my
     > > fitness level, develop some basic self-defense ability,
     > > and have an outlet to channel built-up aggressions from
     > > the everyday pressures of life.
     > >
     > > These are the things I want to learn.
     > >
     > > 1. How to throw all the different punches ( jab, hook,
     > > uppercut )
     > > 2. The Boxer's stance, positioning of arms, posture.
     > > 3. How to hit the heavy bag, speed bag, etc.
     > > 4. Some basic footwork
     > > 5. Boxing training methods
     > >
     > > Simply stated, I want to learn the mechanics of boxing
     > > training so that I can train like a boxer does. I plan on
     > > having 3 boxing training sessions a week or so. But I
     > > don't just want to buy a heavy bag and throw punches at
     > > it. I want to learn proper boxing technique and THEN begin
     > > boxing-type training by having 3 sessions a week or so
     > > where I do several rounds on the heavy bag, speed bag,
     > > jump rope, shadowbox, etc.
     > >
     > > Can the boxers here tell me what the BEST way is for me to
     > > proceed towards my goal ?
     > >
     > > Can I learn what I need out of a boxing book ?
     > >
     > > Or should I find a local boxer and pay him to give me
     > > lessons on the things I mentioned above ?
     > >
     > > Or should I try to find a boxing gym and see if someone
     > > there can work with me for a fee ?
     > >
     > > I would like to go to a boxing gym and learn these things.
     > >
     > > But would they allow me to work out there since I have no
     > > desire to spar or to become a competitive boxer ?
     > >
     > > If they do have that attitude, I can understand since it
     > > wouldn't be fair for me to take up a space that could be
     > > used by someone who is actually a boxer who trains for
     > > matches.
     > >
     > > So what would my best option be in learning how to develop
     > > boxing skills ?
     > >
     > > I appreciate all advice and insight on this. Thank you.
  >
  > I suspect that if you go to a "real" boxing gym and say you
  > want to learn technique but not spar, they'll call you a big
  > wuss. A Boxercise-type class might be a better option.

And Boxercise is somehow LESS wussy...

Lyle's ghost

Finally, a question I can answer...

Jump ship?? Nah...once the guy sees that he's developed the
skills to handle himself in the ring, he will jump right in.
It happens by osmosis(?). You work out at the gym, freak out
for the first few months until you get comfortable there, see
that most people don't get their ass kicked, then decide to
give it a shot in the ring.

Trust me, no one really cares what you are doing, how you look
doing it, etc. Training takes too much concentration. You get
a smart trainer who knows when you are ready, then get in
there. Your trainer is not going to let you get a beating, (or
give one). Take a deep breath, and spar. It will do wonders
for your self-confidence. Its hard, but well worth the effort.
BTW, getting punched in a ring is nothing personal. That's
what you are there for.

Do the rest of the world a favor. Let's outlaw boxercise, and
those lame kickercise classes too.

"aj" <ajslaterNOSPAM~attbi.com> wrote in message
news:1047487801.298070~oak...
  > In article
  > <7cfd37d2.0303120816.674abd1b~posting.google.com>, Mike
  > wrote: <snip I want to learn to box but am askeered of
  > getting hit>
  >
  >
  > 1. Get a boxing trainer and work up to actually boxing.
  >
  > or
  >
  > 2. Go take some gym-bunny boxercise class.
  >
  > or
  >
  >3. You could start learning the basics with a real trainer
  > and
  > then jump ship when the sparring actually starts.
  >
  > --
  > -aj

khobman~sasktel.net (Keith Hobman) wrote in
news:khobman-1203031033590001~
192.168..2:

  > If you are talking about winning a few bar fights than you
  > are probably on the right track.

Agreed with snipped bits + you are very likely to break
something in your hand.

or get kicked in the balls.

Lordy

Take a few classes and maybe rent a video.

Chris Moorehead <cmoorehead~attglobal.net> wrote in message
news:<MPG.18d950c9254a28589897b4~News.CIS.DFN.DE>...

  > Remember, when sparring the hard part isn't getting hit --
  > your adrenaline level is usually so high that you don't even
  > feel it until later. The hard part is to keep moving for the
  > entire round without collapsing -- three minutes seems like
  > an eternity!

Yeah, when I started sparring with sticks I was worried that
the rattan would hurt. Turns out it doesn't hurt so much. You
get marks and stuff, and wonder where they came from. You feel
an impact, but mostly it doesn't register as pain.

The downside is that when it *does* hurt, it's serious.

Whole lotta fun though.

I concur that a round seems like forever, and we only go
2 minutes.

Pierre

"Ghost of Lyle" <lylemcd~onr.com> wrote in message
news:3E6F79D3.7C3B1439~onr.com...
  > Randy Shrader wrote:
     > >
     > > "Mike" <MrStrong65~hotmail.com> wrote in message
     > > news:7cfd37d2.0303120816.674abd1b~posting.google.com...
       > > > Please give me your advice on this question.
       > > >
       > > > I'm interested in learning " boxing skills. "
       > > >
       > > > When I say " Boxing Skills " I don't mean becoming a
       > > > boxer. Nor do I intend to do any sparring at this point.
       > > >
       > > > I want to learn boxing skills as a way to increase my
       > > > fitness level, develop some basic self-defense ability,
       > > > and have an outlet to channel built-up aggressions from
       > > > the everyday pressures of life.
       > > >
       > > > These are the things I want to learn.
       > > >
       > > > 1. How to throw all the different punches ( jab, hook,
       > > > uppercut )
       > > > 2. The Boxer's stance, positioning of arms, posture.
       > > > 3. How to hit the heavy bag, speed bag, etc.
       > > > 4. Some basic footwork
       > > > 5. Boxing training methods
       > > >
       > > > Simply stated, I want to learn the mechanics of boxing
       > > > training so that I can train like a boxer does. I plan
       > > > on having 3 boxing training sessions a week or so. But I
       > > > don't just want to buy a heavy bag and throw punches at
       > > > it. I want to learn proper boxing technique and THEN
       > > > begin boxing-type training by having 3 sessions a week
       > > > or so where I do several rounds on the heavy bag, speed
       > > > bag, jump rope, shadowbox, etc.
       > > >
       > > > Can the boxers here tell me what the BEST way is for me
       > > > to proceed towards my goal ?
       > > >
       > > > Can I learn what I need out of a boxing book ?
       > > >
       > > > Or should I find a local boxer and pay him to give me
       > > > lessons on the things I mentioned above ?
       > > >
       > > > Or should I try to find a boxing gym and see if someone
       > > > there can work with me for a fee ?
       > > >
       > > > I would like to go to a boxing gym and learn these
       > > > things.
       > > >
       > > > But would they allow me to work out there since I have
       > > > no desire to spar or to become a competitive boxer ?
       > > >
       > > > If they do have that attitude, I can understand since it
       > > > wouldn't be fair for me to take up a space that could be
       > > > used by someone who is actually a boxer who trains for
       > > > matches.
       > > >
       > > > So what would my best option be in learning how to
       > > > develop boxing skills ?
       > > >
       > > > I appreciate all advice and insight on this. Thank you.
     > >
     > > I suspect that if you go to a "real" boxing gym and say
     > > you want to
learn
     > > technique but not spar, they'll call you a big wuss. A
     > > Boxercise-type
class
     > > might be a better option.
  >
  > And Boxercise is somehow LESS wussy...
  >
  > Lyle's ghost

Of course it's much more wussy, but in a Boxercise classs his
reluctance to spar will be unremarkable.

Randy