Expert: Jack Rose - 1/3/2008

Question
Hello, my name is James Strongman.  I'm 16 years old, I weigh 143 pounds, and am 5'10.  I have been training for a little while now, and I have had 11 "backyard" boxing matches, with no losses.  For training I jog a few kilometres when I get home from school.  Then I used to hit the heavy bag for a 6 rounds of 2 minutes with a one minute break, but I don't have one at the moment. I am buying a 100 pound heavy bag.  I do 100 push-ups every night before I go to bed.  I do some shoulder exercises that I read about on expertvillage.  Once a week I spar with my friend, who's 250 pounds and has been training for about a year.  I have a speed bag, and some free weights with a bench.  I don't use the speed bag much, because I dont properly know how to use it.  Would you be able to make some suggestions about my training routine, and be able to tell me what I could do add to the routine. Thank you very much.

Answer
Hi James,

Sounds like you have a pretty decent routine going. I would suggest adding some crunches to your workout and start jumping rope for footwork and conditioning. I think your about ready to make your way over to a gym. Your off to a good start but you need to spar someone your own size and under the eye of a trainer. You will learn a lot faster under a safer environment. Stay on the routine but try to find a gym soon so you can advance quicker. Keep up the good work but I have to recommend against the backyard boxing for several reasons. Let me know if you can't find a gym.

Best of luck,

Jackson