Expert: Alan Kahn - 4/28/2007

Question
hi I'm 19 and I really getting into the sport of boxing I was wonderin how I can pursue  my boxing dream.

what workouts should I start doing? And also how can I find a local boxing gym in the area I live in?

please reply asap thanks

Answer
Hi Trevor,

It is a young man's dream to pursue a career in the Ring. Many people have it - but few ultimately attain it. Probably not because of lack of skill, but lack of good coaching and guidance in the business of Boxing, along with some dwindling of Personal commitment to the dream when it doesn't happen quickly. Like many things in Life, ....It also takes a lot of luck.

I would say you pursue your boxing dream by first, truly committing to it. IF you cannot find proper trainers or training partners in your local area, than you will move to some place that you can. Few people make it from "nowhere Kansas".  You have to be in an area that has a lot of boxing traffic - and area that has top boxing facilities, (Gyms and programs) top coaching (ones that know the business of amatuer and professional boxing) and a host of like minded training partners - who have the same commitment and desire to the dream that you do.

You didn't identify where you live, but Until you find that location near you, I would suggest you start reading as much as you can about boxing. Know the history and the skills. There are many good books available. Read about the amatuer boxing rules, the tournament structure and the state registration requirements. http://www.usaboxing.org/
Go and watch some tournaments. Talk to the boxers and coaches.

Also, you could begin with common sense fitness training. NOT "buffy the bodybuilder" workouts, but total hard core fitness workouts. You simply MUST have cardiovascular fitness.
Running, and cycling, punching, skipping rope, etc.  General strength exercises for the main muscles groups. All are necessary, but if your CV fitness isn't there, the fight won't last long.

Below are a few links to finding boxing gyms wherever you live. Unfortunately, I cannot vouch for how accurate the information is.


http://www.boxinggyms.com/findgoodgym.htm

http://www.boxinggyms.com/addressbook.htm

I suggest you get some of the training ideas and materials of Ross Enamait, an up and comming hard core fitness trainer. His methods, training philosophy and results are outstanding. Here are some links to his websites.  He helps many competitive athletes and boxers at very high levels, and some top competitors in several sports post on his web forum. http://www.rosstraining.com/forum/index.php

http://www.rosstraining.com/

http://www.rossboxing.com/

If you live near Tempe Arizona, I suggest you check out Ironglovesboxing.  Joe runs a great Gym.

http://www.Ironglovesboxing.com/

Good Luck with your dream. Don't sell yourself short. Bring heart, desire and dedication to the gym everyday, and maybe we'll see you "live" on HBO, fightin' for the Title in 'Vegas!

sincerely

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible