Expert: Jack Rose - 11/24/2009

Question
Hi I just turn 21 and wanted to know if i could still pick up boxing. A always wanted to but never knew where to start. but i decided that i was going to at lest give it my all and not just give up. So i was wondering am i too old and what sort of work out should i start with I'm about 5'9 and a weigh 240 but have started to lose it and can people that wear glasses still box.

Answer
Josh,

It is not too late. You can box amateur til your 34. I would suggest finding a gym near you that has connections to "USA Boxing". You can call area gyms and ask if they are members of USA Boxing. They will have knowledgeable trainers and the proper forms for you to fill out.

I would find a good run/walk about 2 miles and do it 4 days a week. If you can run it without stopping, good, but if not just run as much as you can and walk the rest. Eventually as the weight comes off you'll be able to run the whole distance.

In the gym you will be assigned a trainer most likely and he will take you through your workout. You'll learn all the punches and then defense.

Yes you can box if you have poor vision. Of course you can't box with your glasses on but you can box with soft contact lens. If you don't have contacts you'll need to inform the doctor that gives you the pre-fight physical how bad your vision is. If he decides your vision is bad enough that you can't properly defend yourself then he may require you to get contacts.

good luck