Pre-training advice for a woman wanting to box

[dirty~d~]

To clarify, I have no intentions of stepping in the ring for competition. My main goal is to study the art of boxing through experiencing it first hand. I admire the athletic discipline of the sport.

My background is in ice hockey and powerlifting so I have a decent foundation for the overall conditioning.

Outside of things that would require coaching (heavy bag training, footwork, etc.), what specific conditioning exercises should I focus on prior to beginning my actual training?

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[JayC]

Thats tough because if your just wanting to learn the sport and don't really aspire to compete anytime soon, then you only need to worry about the coaching/technique aspect of things. Sport specific strength and conditioning is pretty much secondary until you learn the technical aspect... or are ready to compete..IMHO
Now with that said, you could just work at getting your cardio up to speed. (i.e. running, sprints, etc.) Learning will require some aspect of drilling and/or repeated movements and if your gased all the time, you won't be able to keep up. Getting proficient at jump rope will be a must, lots of ab and hip movement exercises, and maybe something like throwing a medicine ball against a wall repeatedly... all just suggestions ;) I'm sure you'll enjoy it and good luck. Its a very very tough sport so I'm sure you'll be challenged.

[Luca Brasi]

Good to hear, i always like to hear about new first timers getting into combat sports .
The most important thing is what JayC said first about the technique really being the sport . The conditioning is really just a means to delivery and receive that technique repeatedly over a period of time without tiring etc. I would say get yourself a punching bag ( nothing too heavy or hard at first) and just get your hands and wrists used to the constant impact as a lot of women i have trained had constant hand probs especially at first. And also as Jay also said ab work is important , you'll be surpirsed just how sore the abs with get at first from the constant twisting . Most of all just enjoy learning it , noone sticks with anything they dont enjoy doing in the long run .

Luca

[Polski Byk]

Run, sprint repeat! lol! Seriously.

[dirty~d~]

Thanks for the tips guys. At my gym the weight room and the boxing/wrestling area is all one space so I've been observing the other boxers when I can. Although I don't want to compete now, I may change my mind later down the road... I am a woman ya know. LOL!

One of the main reasons I want to train as heavily as a competing boxer would is so that I can understand (from a Physical Therapy perspective) what they go through on a routine basis. Hopefully this will help me if/when I ever have to help a boxer rehabilitate his/herself.

Keep the suggestions coming, please. Thanks guys.

[Luca Brasi]

Fighting or no fighting ...learn properly right from the start . That cardio box shit and stuff like it just teaches bad habits . Learn right straight up and use proper technique while training even if just training for fun . Will also make it much easier down the track if you do wanna compete. Keep us posted on your progress .


Luca

[Mysterio]

Well, first thing first you want to find a good boxing gym and trainer. LOL!!! Why didn't you tell me you wanted to learn to box when you posted at Elite? To bad you don't live in cali, I'd take you to my gym. There are two things I look for in training people in boxing is that you wanna work hard and do you listen to me without question. If the person can do that then we got something there.

[Mysterio]

Aztec boxing club in da house!!!!!

[Mysterio]

Damn gurl!!!! Where you at?! Another thing make sure you are in good cardio shape. Boxing takes a lot of endurance to do. That's something you can do now before finding a good boxing club to join. When you find a good trainer they will teach you all the proper fundamentles you'll need to learn the art of western boxing. You'll need gloves, handwraps, jump rope, and shoes made for boxing with good ankel support to start with.(wrestling shoes will work fine) So get those before you go.

[A L]

I always suggest taking pics in the nude, but with your wrists taped up. Thats a start.

Seriously - getting in boxing shape is intense stuff. Prior to being a overweight aspiring PL I was huge into Muay Thai. I trained 5 days a week - ran in the AM, trained at night. Outfitted my garage to look like a mini fairtex training camp.... shit is all dusty now.

I would suggest having fun with it. I think running in the AM... in the dark made me "feel" like a boxer. I really got into it. Have fun!

[Mysterio]

Dirty D what do you think of the super mega fight coming in Dec. when pac man fights the golden boy?

YouTube - Manny Pacquiao training (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0vZUjcctgo)