Okay, so I wanted to get into amateur boxing. Not to go pro or anything, just to get in shape and, you know, learn how to throw a punch. First thing I did was find a boxing gym near me. I just searched online, found a couple, and picked one that looked decent and had good reviews.
When I got to the gym, I talked to one of the trainers there. He was a big dude, looked like he could knock out a horse, but he was super friendly. He showed me around, explained how things worked, and told me about the different classes they offered.
Next, I signed up for a beginner’s class. It was a small group, maybe five or six other people, all new to this like me. The trainer started us off with some basic stuff. We did a lot of shadowboxing. You know, just throwing punches at the air. He broke it down, showing us how to do a jab, a cross, a hook, and an uppercut. We spent a whole session just working on our jabs, getting the form right.
The next few classes were more of the same. We worked on our crosses, our hooks, and then our uppercuts. The trainer was really patient, correcting our form, showing us how to move our feet, and how to keep our guard up. It was tough, I’m not gonna lie. I was sore after every session, but it was also a lot of fun.
- Shadowboxing: We did this at the start of every class. Four rounds, each focusing on a different punch. It was tiring but it helped me get the movements down.
- Footwork drills: We practiced moving around, staying light on our feet, and keeping our balance. It felt awkward at first, but it got easier with practice.
- Bag work: After we got the basics down, we started hitting the heavy bag. This was a whole different beast. It was tough on my hands, but it felt good to actually hit something.
- Partner drills: We also did some drills with partners, practicing our punches and our defense. This was a bit scary at first, but it was a good way to learn how to react.
Here’s what I did for training in each class:
After a few weeks of these classes, I felt like I was getting the hang of it. I was still a beginner, of course, but I felt more confident in my punches. I could throw a decent jab, my cross was getting better, and my hooks and uppercuts were starting to feel more natural.
I kept going to the classes, kept practicing, and kept getting better. I even started sparring a little bit, which was a whole new level of intensity. It was tough, and I got hit a few times, but it was also a great way to learn. And honestly, getting hit wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It’s all part of the sport. And the trainer always emphasized that we were not there to take punishment but to learn the skills and techniques.
So, that’s how I got into amateur boxing. It was a lot of hard work, but it was also a lot of fun. I got in better shape, learned a new skill, and met some cool people along the way. I never got competitive, but I kept going to the gym, kept training, and kept learning. It became a regular part of my routine, and I really enjoyed it.
