Posted: 11/26/2004 8:26:12 PM EDT
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I'm thinking of trying boxing. I'm in pretty good shape [I nordic track 45 minutes a day 6x a week] and I run daily with my dogs [and I train with them too]. I'm thinking of doing some stregnth training as well. Any experts out there or semi experts that have any suggestions? Patty PS I'm a little old. Don't laugh. I'm 40. I'm 6ft tall and weigh 160 lbs. |
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Boxing is good for sport purposes as a self defense art kind of limiting, you should clarify what you intend to get from your training a little more thouroughly for those of us who can be of assistance. If it is strictly sport or staying in shape boxing is excellent. There is also a lot more to boxing than cardio, muscular endurance is also key( your shoulders, lats, and chest will be shot before round 3 starts if your not used to it) also most obviously you have to be willing to GET HIT! Thats not even factoring in rhythum, timing, and distancing also important. if it must be sport I'd suggest Muay Thai If you want self defense I'd suggest the Martial Arts. 1. Stay away from Tae Kwan Do ( I have experience their, listen ) most Karate ( depends totally on the instructor and his teaching style ) These two arts account for what those with a background in the arts call BELT FACTORIES!!!! These are the schools where one of the first things you see are a large group of 7 year old Black Belts, if you see this walk out. These instructors do not make you earn your belt they practically sell them out the back door. These people have little to offer and are often counterproductive. 2. Stay away from arts with a large emphasis on Forms/Kata/Pinyans these are only still practiced in most dojos to burn time away in classes they have little actual purpose. If you want to learn stances and techniques, practice stances and techniques don't two-step. 3. I would suggest Ju Jutsu (traditional, not sport/Gracie/Machado/Brazilian ) Krav Maga/Haganah, Muay Thai is also excellent in self defense, Ka Ju Ken Bo and Kenpo are usually good but you will have to suffer through a lot of Kata. Brazilian Vale Tudo or MMA based also good but strong emphasis on sport as well. Anything with a strong base in practical, realistic, or military styled or based is usually far more effective thanTKD or most Karate. Also remember no Kata or minimum kata is better usually. Hope I helped, Matt |
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Hi Matt, Thank you for your help. I am very limited to living in a very rural area [I live 45 miles from a grocery store, non the less places like a gym are more likely 90 miles from me]. I have done [sorry] Tae Kwon Do for 5 years [brown stripe] as they had classes near me [20 miles] In the paper near by [90 miles] they have ads for women boxers. Loser [after 4 rounds] earns about $800 a fight. I'm thinking I could dance and get my butt kicked for $800. I also think I could be fairly competitive - although I am fairly old. {I think women have an advantage to a certain point with age though]. I am willing to work hard, I do not want to look like an idiot, nor do I want to be a semi nude dancer for some stripper joint [I will check out the places advertised before committing to anything]. Anyway, I'm really pursuing my options and as you mentioned it could be an excellent means of exercise. Patty 
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Thank you. I appreciate your word of caution. I do not have anyone to ask around me but have been reading a lot on the internet. Patty |
Patty, I may have missed it... Are you trying boxing as a way to get continue your workouts or thinking about going into it professionally? Either way, the workouts and conditioning will get you get you fit physically for sure. In addition, your mental awareness and reaction times will improve as will your cordination. While I trained for several years I have not practiced in a long time and by no means am I an expert. I think boxing as a way to continue your fitness program it is a good idea. As for entering it professionally, I'd give that a second thought. As most sports, boxing is dominated by youth. Of course there are a few exceptions, but those are rare. I would also never discourage anyone one trying. Unfortunatly, women in the sport will not see the big dollars compared to men boxers because the market is simply not there. I wish you luck in whatever path you chose. Go get'em! |
Well I doubt I would quit my day job and just be a pro boxer! But it is tempting to give it a whirl - considering losers get a nice small purse  I do not want to get hurt [I can handle a punch or two] seriously or make a fool out of myself. I run with my teenager's track team and have no problem keeping up with these kids [with a few exceptions] I tend to think age in women is an advantage to a degree. Plus I'm bigger than most women. My women my size are tanks and move slow - but I'm steryo typing. I really don't know and doubt I will know until I take the plung. Patty |
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I'm 39 and I box, not professionally, just a few am. exhibition bouts here and there. My Father was a pro, it was a much more popular sport in the mid-'50's. As a lt. hvy. he fininshed up at around 24 - 8, he can't remember his exact record, seriously. His lingering memory of it (other than the fact that all promoters were crooks), was that for the money – it was a tough way to make a living. 15 to 30 hours of training a week for a chance to earn a couple hundred once every other month (if you’re lucky). It worked out to be pennies on the hour in pay. He’s got a broken watch with his name inscribed on the back from some 1959 title, newspaper clippings about a few of his fights, and a few photos to show for 8 years of pain, sweat, suffering. Nothing more - even his current memory is paying now for what happened in his past. It's called pugulistic dementia. You're not too old to get into boxing - I'll tell you that right now. But you are going to need two things: a trainer, someone with actual verifiable ring experience (amatuer, golden gloves, kick boxing, etc) - and time. People don't end up dead at these traveling circus shows called "Tough Man/Woman" contests because they're not in good shape - they get killed because they drop their hands and take punches square on (and it only takes one). Without significant time in the gym under proper supervision (learning how to move, slip, block, and counter without thinking) - that's what you will do in the ring - take punches (and that ain't boxing). Find a gym and go check it out, most will let you train for free the first time - and ask a lot of questions. That being said, boxing is the hardest thing I've ever done. And it's like crack - one hit is too many, and a hundred is never enough, but it is very rewarding and a fun endeavor. Go for it. About 40% of the people at my gym are women - some do it to get in the ring - some do it because it's top notch excercise. Oh, and a Loser getting $200 a round? If that doesn't sound like a scam - I don't know what does. If it was only your butt getting kicked it might be worth it - but it's going to be your head being hit instead - and that ain't going to be pretty. |
...and like so many other things that are supposed to be bad for you - it is addicting  (found out last night I've got another exhibition bout on Feb. 12th!). This shouldn't disuade you from getting into the art - many people find it to be a fountain of youth - just watch out for anyone that wants to give you the chance to earn some easy money by getting in the ring before your ready. If you're looking to use this more for self defense, DO add some Muay Thai to your regime (a good Muay Thai place will at the minimum dedicate one day a week to working on pure western boxing). Go to a gym, work, and try it. If there's a more exhausting form of excercise than full contact sparring - I'd like to know about it. |
We don't have a gym near enough by to go too. I'm about 90 miles from a gym. 
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