New. Got A Couple Questions.

caraluzzo · 04-25-2008, 03:11 AM

Hello everybody, first time poster here on the forum.
I guess I'll start out by saying a little bit about myself before I go any furthur. I'm about 5'9" at 139.6 pounds as of right now. I've been excersizing a bit for the past 9 weeks now, once I decided I wanted to get into some type of fighting. I've been doing more upper body workouts then anything right now. I started out just bench pressing, doing 120lbs, and after the 9 weeks of working out I'm up to 200lbs. I run every once and a while, but not much. I've found myself really interested in boxing, and I'm thinking of joining a boxing gym.
Now for my question, which is why I'm posting in the training section in the first place. I see alot of people saying that working out the legs is one of the most important things to do. I was wondering if somebody could comfirm this, and maybe tell me why. Does working out your legs somehow put more power behind your punches as well?
Also, I've been looking at a few boxing places that are kinda close by. I was wondering if I should go try one out, or if I should get into better shape first. Also, if I join a boxing gym, should I join a regular gym as well? Theres a regular gym less then a mile from me that provides alot of different things, including an inside track.
Also, does anybody have any tips as far as boxing goes? I have watched a few videos, and I've learned alot already, but I think I could use all the advice I can get.

Thanks in advance guys, I hope to enjoy my stay here at the forums.

-Mike.

06_ryan_06 · 04-25-2008, 05:50 AM

well, boxing will get you into shape! no doubt about it!
its a great workout.
if i was you id go and speak to the guy in charge to see what he can offer you and tell him what your after.
as for the leg trainin, it does increase the power in your punches dramatically, a good tip if you wna get into boxin is to be light and quick on your feet, it will help alot.
boxing can be easier with a strong core (abs) and a good bit of muscle on your sholders will also add to your punching power.
bol

caraluzzo · 04-25-2008, 07:02 AM

I'll contact somebody at one of the boxing gyms and see what he has to offer, as you said.
As far as the legs, and footwork, I'll be sure to put more time towards it. Would I be better off running, doing stuff like squats, or both? Can you give me any advice on what to do as far as leg muscles? Unfortunatly, I have skinny legs, so they'll probably need alot of work put towards them.
As far as abs and shoulders, I'm not in bad shape. I have pretty big shoulders for my size, well, that's what I'm told..
Abs, I've been working on for a couple weeks now, and it's going pretty well. Is there any certain ab workouts that will show quick results?

-Mike.

Delta_049 · 04-25-2008, 08:23 AM

For abs I'm pretty sure I got this link off one of the other posts on FF
I want Six Pack Abs, Core Exercises

The-Iceman-Chuck-Liddell · 04-25-2008, 09:33 AM

You should really up your running. It is probably the most important exercise if your going to be boxing. At your weight class your probably should be ready to go all the rounds at a quick pace which will be hard without running.

GeorgeXVX · 04-25-2008, 10:16 AM

Legs is everything in Boxing/Kickboxing... all the real power comes from your legs and more importantly your hips. You should try and run 2-3 miles a night if you can. Also do 100-200 push ups and 200-400 sit ups. Going to the boxing gym will be great but you shouldn't need to sign up for a normal gym likes Golds or Work Out World. Like TICL for your size speed and cardio will be more important then KO power. No harm in being able to KO anyone though!

To increase the success of your boxing you should buy a heavy bag after about a month of training... This way you know how to throw a punch and wont develop bad habbits but you can tighten your game in your spare time. I did when i started my Muay Thai training and it did wonders for my game.

Once you know what you are doing you can go out for a 2 mile run then come home and do a cool down (15 minutes of shadow boxing) then do 30 minutes of just hitting the bag with single punches... Like 50-100 jabs, 50 straights, 50 hooks, 50 uppercuts and then works combos and faints to increase your head movement and comfort level. i understand this is all going to be down the line but this is very hepful. I promise you that!

Shadow boxing is also a lot more complicated then people tend to think. It should be more mentally groulling then anything!

y0utapped · 04-25-2008, 10:24 AM

just a quick comment on the legs, you should definately train the legs by doing exercises such as squats. firstly, as previously said a great deal of the power in a punch comes from the lower body, and secondly, training your quads will increase the amount of growth hormone produced by the body, as they are the biggest muscle group in the body, therefore increasing your upper body aswell.

GeorgeXVX · 04-25-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y0utapped

just a quick comment on the legs, you should definately train the legs by doing exercises such as squats. firstly, as previously said a great deal of the power in a punch comes from the lower body, and secondly, training your quads will increase the amount of growth hormone produced by the body, as they are the biggest muscle group in the body, therefore increasing your upper body aswell.

competely forgot squats... SUPER SUPER IMPORTANT!!!! dont over look this... builds great core and secondairy on the legs! Great for boxing!

caraluzzo · 04-25-2008, 05:38 PM

Wow, I wasn't expecting so many replys to this thread.
I forgot to say in my first post, I do have a punching bag that I spend alot of time hitting. I try my best to work on every punch, and I do my best not to develope any bad habits.
Running, I'm not so sure about 3 miles a night, because I have other things during the day that keep me busy, like working and stuff. Other then that, I'm gonna give everything else a shot, and try running whenever I get the chance.
Thanks alot guys!

x.MMA.x · 04-25-2008, 10:15 PM

Yes, alot of your punching power comes from your legs. When you push back with your lead leg and push forward with your following leg it helps push more force into your punch by sort of rotating the body. The arm probably gives the least ammount of power compared to the body and legs. I would definatly suggest giving your legs more attention than your arms, if you are going into boxing, and like the other guys said run more. And its important to work alot on your rythem, its very important inboxing not everyone can have the hardest punch and be a good boxer. Play around with the skip rope, and learn to be light on your feet.

texmo · 04-26-2008, 05:39 AM

Hey Mike,
Do you want to get into boxing so you can have a proper bout or do you just want to get into shape i.e that lean look rather than bulky from weight training and learn how to defend yourself?
How many times per week do you honestly think you will be able to make it to the gym?

caraluzzo · 04-26-2008, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texmo

Hey Mike,
Do you want to get into boxing so you can have a proper bout or do you just want to get into shape i.e that lean look rather than bulky from weight training and learn how to defend yourself?
How many times per week do you honestly think you will be able to make it to the gym?

I don't wanna get into it just to get into shape. I like boxing, and I would plan to have fights and all after learning a bit more. I'm not looking to get bulky, but I am trying to get a little bit bigger then what I am, cause I'm so damn skinny lol. I can defend myself now, but I'd like to learn a bit more. And how often I make it to the gym would depend on what time I'd have to be there, so it's hard to answer that question.

texmo · 04-26-2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caraluzzo

I don't wanna get into it just to get into shape. I like boxing, and I would plan to have fights and all after learning a bit more. I'm not looking to get bulky, but I am trying to get a little bit bigger then what I am, cause I'm so damn skinny lol. I can defend myself now, but I'd like to learn a bit more. And how often I make it to the gym would depend on what time I'd have to be there, so it's hard to answer that question.

You wont get bigger from boxing as you build lean musscle mass. If you want to get bigger then dont run for more than 20 minutes and do it in the morning. To build large muscles you must preform hypertrophy so do weights in the 8-10 repition range and do 3 - 4 sets this will help build larger muscles.
Get to the gym and do weights three times per week on the days in between attend boxing classes but dont go too hard or you will not build any/much muscle.
And most important eat more and eat clean. Have a protien shake with a bananna in it after every work out.

caraluzzo · 04-26-2008, 07:53 PM

Would you suggest me to be looking at boxing gyms now, or is there something else I should be doing before I bother giving it a shot?
And is there any certain amount of weight I should be trying to push 8-10 times, or just what I feel comfortable with?

texmo · 04-26-2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caraluzzo

Would you suggest me to be looking at boxing gyms now, or is there something else I should be doing before I bother giving it a shot?
And is there any certain amount of weight I should be trying to push 8-10 times, or just what I feel comfortable with?

Well IMO if you want to get big just conentrate on that you will get better results doing that than if you do both weights and boxing.
If you join a gym they will write you up a program, Ask them to write you up a split program where you only work out one major muscle group per day.

XxGnPxX · 04-27-2008, 10:18 AM

Punching power comes from the ground then up through your legs, into the hips, the core then up through the arms. So yes the legs are a BIG part of punching power, plus the core plays a very important role in punching power. So work the legs out man, also dont forget the core. Most people confuse the core with just being the abs ...wrong. The core consist of the abs,obliques and lower back, which helps when you twist into the punch. Good question....And id join the the boxing classes you seem real interested in it, Good luck

caraluzzo · 04-27-2008, 03:48 PM

Awesome, thanks for all the help so far everybody. What I'm thinking of doing is having them write me up a program like texmo has said, this way I can work on boxing and getting a bit bigger on a descent schedule. Now, when you say that the core consist of being the abs, obliques and lower back, how do I work out the obliques and lower back?
I don't have much stuff to work out with here at my house, so finding a way to do some workouts can be difficult. Not having much equipment is also why I had asked about joining an accual gym, this way I atleast have the option to try newer things.
I'll be trying to get ahold of the gyms tomorow, because neither of them are open today. I'll call and ask about there prices, but is there anything else I should maybe ask about before I bother going to give it a shot?

XxGnPxX · 04-28-2008, 11:22 AM

There are various ways to do this workout, you could hold your arms straight out, raise your upper body off the ground and pull your arms back as if you were pulling a lat bar for example. YouTube - In home exercises-Lower back and abs

I could'nt really find an oblique workout video i liked, but i like to put a light weight in each hand and bend to one side not moving the shoulder just bendin at the side till the weights at my knee. Then back up do the same on each side - repeat - ....make sure to realy focus on the muscle and use perfect technique.

Crashsti · 04-29-2008, 01:46 PM

If you're seriously interested in boxing you should definately join a boxing gym. Aside from great training you'll also make friends and a professional network of support people who will make you entry into the sport more successful. As for your training. Old school boxers constantly did "roadwork" or running. They'd lace up a pair of heavy boots and rack up the miles. Thinking that in ring cardio was enhanced by running endless miles. Well, there are much better ways. I highly suggest looking for a strength & conditioning coach who is familiar with the needs of your sport, don't let just anyone create a weight training program for you. An educated trainer will not only make you stronger, but quicker and with more endurance too that suits the needs of boxing. Most commercial gyms are for fitness and bodybuilding and don't understand the needs of combat athletes. Finally, TRAIN YOUR LEGS!!! Your legs are like the roots of a tree. A tree with a huge canopy of branches and leaves falls in strong winds without deep roots. An athlete without strong legs cannot generate any usable power for sports, especially one like boxing.

XxGnPxX · 04-30-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

crashsti: Finally, TRAIN YOUR LEGS!!! Your legs are like the roots of a tree. A tree with a huge canopy of branches and leaves falls in strong winds without deep roots. An athlete without strong legs cannot generate any usable power for sports, especially one like boxing.

Well said