Boxing can be a dangerous sport so it’s extremely important that your trainer and gym is teaching you proper technique. Here are some tips to finding a good boxing gym.
As a general guideline, your boxing gym should be an encouraging atmosphere for learning the sport of boxing. A real legitimate boxing gym should be focused on proper technique and constant improvement. Your trainer should be able to tailor workouts to your physical abilities and explain to you the details of certain boxing techniques.
To start out, you should probably ask around through friends and search on Google Maps for “boxing” near your address. Check out several gyms and talk to a few trainers. Be honest and upfront with them as to what goals you plan to achieve in boxing (fitness, amateur competition, boxing professionally, supplementing other martial arts skills) and let them know what your budget is. Most individuals in boxing do it out of passion since the sport itself is very difficult and many people quit for that reason.
No-Nonsense Way to Find a Good Competition Gym
If all you want to do is compete and nothing else, ignore the rest of this guide and just read this one paragraph. Look up local amateur boxing tournaments in your area and see which gyms have the best ranked fighters. Go to that gym and see if you can get access to the same trainers. Train there until you have nothing else to learn. Win as many amateur tournaments as you can. Turn pro when you’re ready. That’s all there is to it.
Different types of fitness centers that teach boxing:
YOUTH CENTER
These are the typical after-school programs designed to keep youth off the streets and out of gangs. There are usually all sorts of people in here – kids, women, old men, and anyone else from the neighborhood looking for a good workout. You’ll see a few professionals and many young amateur boxers here. The atmosphere is real friendly and you’ll get a lot of personal attention here.
The cost is minimal and most of the trainers are old veterans that love teaching people for the love of boxing. It’s common for you to come numerous times and the subject of money doesn’t even come up. Just show up at the gym and ask a random person how much it costs to train there. Tell them, “Hi, I’m Billy! What’s your daily fee?” They’ll laugh because they’ll be unable to come up with a number and probably say, “Who cares? Put on some gloves… I’ll be with you in 5 minutes.” These gyms are good for learning but not good for developing advanced level skills.
PROFESSIONAL BOXING GYM
You’ll recognize one by its smell – like a old sock unwashed for weeks. Tons of professionals and serious fighters all crowded into one open area like some kind of crazy “boxing zoo”. You can spot the pros easily, just look for the guys wearing shirts that are completely drenched in sweat. You will get TOP-NOTCH battle-tested 110% authentic instruction. You’ll see world-class sparring everyday. The atmosphere can be quite intimidating (imagine guys cracking the heavy bag for hours without getting tired) but at the same time very inspirational and inspiring. The cost can range from $15 to $50 a session depending on the trainer’s ego.
There’s usually dozens of trainers working out of a single busy pro gym and you can shop around each day until you find one you really like. I’ve been able to work with former world champions for as little as $15 per workout! The atmosphere here might seem intimidating at first because you see few women or children but don’t worry. The fighters here are all hardcore and train to fight. Your workout WILL definitely push you beyond your limit. The trainers are old-fashion in that you’ll never hear compliments on anything you do right. The sparring here can be quite tough so don’t be too proud to ask the other fighter to go easy on you.
MMA GYM
MMA gyms come in two varieties – the REAL and the FAKE. The “fake” MMA gyms sell themselves as the ALL-IN-ONE martial arts fight centers where they give classes on everything and supposedly “specialize in everything”. Real MMA gyms will focus their classes on variations of grappling, kickboxing, and boxing. Their knowledge of boxing is pretty good. My only complaint about some MMA gyms it that they only focus on the basics and aspects of boxing that are useful for MMA combat. They don’t teach you the true intricacies of boxing and many fun tactics are left out because they conflict with principles of kickboxing or grappling. If you run into a FAKE commercial MMA gym, then it’s really just another “fat camp” or commercial gym in disguise as a fighting gym.
FITNESS GYMS
These commercial gyms should definitely be avoided if you want to learn serious boxing technique. These fitness gyms are purely in it for the money and their motives are easy to spot. Their gym is very clean, often spacious, and they offer a wide assortments of price deals and training packages . The training is run more like cardio/aerobics sessions and I like to call them “fat camp”. These gyms typically have the worst boxing instruction and charge you the most money. The plus side is that you’ll see the most women here and so they are more comfortable for women who don’t like training alongside men.
My favorite telltale signs of good boxing gyms:
AUTHENTIC MEMORABILIA
The easiest way to tell if the gym is legitimate is if you see AUTHENTIC memorabilia plastered on the wall. Good gyms are typically plastered with newspaper clippings and autographed photos of their past/current/future fighters winning local & national tournaments. You will also see posters of upcoming tournaments and local boxing shows (showing their constant involvement in the local boxing scene). What you DON’T want to see is the usual framed posters of Ali & Tyson. A local gym should be excited about it’s local fighters!
YOU CAN MEET THE OWNER/HEAD TRAINER
I’ve typically found that the best gyms are ones where you can meet the owner and head trainer. You get to judge the personality behind the gym and the man behind the principles. You can see if the trainer and gym is working in your best interests.
CONTROLLED SPARRING
Watch a few sparring sessions and see how the trainers coach their fighters. You want to see controlled sparring where the fighters are being instructed TO BOX, NOT TO FIGHT. Good boxing gyms are not underground fight clubs and athletes should not be allowed to wail on each other until one quits. The key is to listen to the adjustments made by trainers.
FATHER/SON TRAINER/BOXERS
Seeing fathers training their sons at the gym is a very good sign. There is no love like a parent’s and usually a father will seek out the very best gym possible for their son to train in. If you see a father preparing his son for competition at the gym, you can trust he’s probably already staked out many other gyms.
A BUSY RING
The ring is probably the most important piece of boxing equipment. That is where you learn how to fight, that is where you truly learn how to box! If you see 30 people in the gym and NOBODY is in the ring, that should be a giant flag. In great gyms, the ring is always in use—you never see it empty. Somebody is shadowboxing, hitting the mitts, or sparring in there. There should always be people waiting in line to get into the ring!
MANY TRAINERS
The best gyms I’ve been to are full of trainers. Quite often, there may be almost as many trainers as there are fighters. Aside from the fact that some pros have more than one trainer (usually 1 trainer + 1 conditioning coach + his father/brother), it’s very common for many old boxers and trainers to hang around the best gyms. You shouldn’t see 1 or 2 trainers dominating the place. It’s more like a community of trainers each giving opinions of their style and expertise discussing and refining teh sweet science together each and every day. Chances are, if the gym is full of trainers…it might also be full of talent! Even if you never get good, at least you always have someone correcting your form. In one day, I might be corrected 10 times by 3 different trainers.
COMPETITION FIGHTERS
If the gym isn’t training fighters to compete, it’s probably training them for weight loss. There’s nothing wrong with this, but just know that if you want to compete, you should look for a gym full of competing fighters. Look for groin protectors hanging around the gym. Look for guys in sauna suits.
HOW TO SPOT A BAD BOXING GYM
A bad boxing gym is one that doesn’t care for you personally. You should be noticed and given at least a little attention every time you come to workout. Boxing is a sport that emphasizes hitting and not getting hit so it’s crucial that someone is looking out for you. Many gyms disgust me because the sparring is too tough on the beginners or the trainers spend more time training their “favorites” than they do with the other kids. I’ve seen many potentially good fighters get thrown in as “shark bait” so that the better trained fighters can practice their skills on unsuspecting “new guys”. This common practice is a bit like hazing where new guys have to earn their respect before the trainers will take them seriously.
Another disgusting trait of bad gyms is how they focus more on winning than they do on boxing skills. Over time, this bad habit develops into just teaching fighters on how to cheat instead of using superior boxing skills to win. It doesn’t matter how many awards the gym has won or if Mike Tyson trained there; if you don’t feel comfortable training there, find a new boxing gym!
FINAL THOUGHTS ON GOOD BOXING GYMS
A good trainer and boxing gym will listen to your every need. You shouldn’t be forced to spar when you don’t feel like it. Your workouts should be flexible to your ability and not what the athlete next to you just did. A good boxing gym doesn’t need to have the latest training equipment, former world champions as trainers, or the cleanest facility; it just needs to have a healthy atmosphere that emphasizes solid boxing technique and gives you room to grow. A good gym and trainer should be able to challenge you without taking you beyond your limits. I do hope that you all find a good gym and get to enjoy and love the sport of boxing as I do.
Read my other guides on boxing gyms:
Boxing Gyms
Excellent article Johnny,
It is definitely important to see if your gym has the best interest of you. I have come accross gyms where trainning session are centered towards getting the gym “favorites” ready for there matches. This is often at expense of the beginners starting off at the gym.
Another good way to guage a gym is by talking to the fighters. You can guage the “atmosphere” gym by simply talking to the fighters. You can get to know what the great things the gym is providing and also find the negative aspects as well. Some of the fighters are waiting to transition out of the gym. Finding out the reason is the key.
what about good boxing gyms for kids that really want to box seriously
I want to become I puching and kicking bag text me if you could make this happin
try cas boxing
Hi
My son is 15 yrs and would like to start boxing in Midvaal ( Daleside )
Will you please assist.
Regards
Maria
078 425 0777
Youth center would be good.
good boxing gyms for kids
Those inner-city youth programs are good–the “keep kids off the street” after-school recreation progarms. Any amateur gym where you see many kids is ideal. There is no need to put them in a pro gym. They’ll see very few kids and while they learn faster, they won’t have anyone to spar with but kids of other former champions–which could be too hard on them.
I’m 15 and there isn’t any boxing gyms around where I live, how can I improve without a gym?
Shadowbox at home, hit the bags, work focus mitts with some friends. Do what you can. There’s information online and then you also have your imagination and creativity. Maybe check out an MMA gym or martial arts gyms and see if there are any boxers there to train with.
wellness coach – ymca, full-time fitness trainer
so glad i found you!! i love boxing,
…………………………………
hi im from south london and have an amateur record of 8 fights 8wins 2 knocouts
i have been to 2 gyms but i didnt like the first gym because of the lack of sparring and i didnt like my second gym because of the lack of cardio
what shall i do?
@8-2 – Lack of cardio may be a good thing. Some of the best trained gyms don’t bother their fighters with cardio. It is up to you to maintain your cardio on your own time. Your trainer is there as a fight strategist and to show you new fighting skills. It is your responsibility to keep yourself in shape, for these gyms. You can also keep looking up new gyms. Or train at one gym, and spar at another. Many fighters do that out here in LA. They go to a commercial gym to stay in shape, use nice equipment. They go to one boxing gym to do workouts and mitts with their trainer. Then they go to another gym to get good sparring with different opponents.
thankyou for replying.i have joined a gym with a national finalist who is in the weight class above me and is really good to spar with.i am 5,10 a lightmiddleweight,slim,fast but lack power.i am also a converted southpaw because i find it easier to move around.i have a lot of power in my left hand but not much in my right hand.could you give me a list of boxers i could learn techniques off with the same advantages as me? thankyou
@8-0, hmm…a slim southpaw with a lack of power. The first one that comes to mind is Paul Williams. Although he may be a bit lankier (longer armed) than you. There’s also Antonio Tarver, Chad Dawson, Joe Calzaghe, and Anthony Dirrell. I really like Anthony Dirrell, Calzaghe is awesome too but has a weird style.
Hi im 17 years and i like boxing so much i live warden i want to find boxing place around here i live in i have many skills and i can prove my self
thanks for the list.this site has really helped improve my boxing 🙂
Gyms in Atlanta
I am looking into boxing in Atlanta, so far there has been nothing that jumps of the page at me. I have found one near my work that is more of a MMA gym, called Iron Clutch Fitness. I am of there on Monday for my first ‘session’. Was wondering if you had any good insight into gyms in the North Atlanta Area. If not, ill give ICF a try. By hte way, love the website, plenty of useful info on here.
Thanks.
@ATL-Brit – I’ve never been to Atlanta so I wouldn’t know anything. I would suggest you walk into 3 gyms and get a feel for the atmosphere. Make sure you go at the time when they train amateurs or beginners how to box.
i was wondering if you know of any boxing gyms in lebanon pa. please help
@lebanon – I’m sorry I’m not familiar with that area and never been there. Have you checked out boxinggyms.com?
Newspapaer
i read your article about authentic boxing gyms and when you said has newspaper clippings on the wall and autographed photos it reminded me of Fight Night Champion (video game) does this mean i should for look like those more hollywood cliche style gym or those high-tech gyms that are all clean and nice and have those “your one of the family” types
whats the best type of gym for me (im 13) and i want to seriously train in boxing and mma even though im still a “kid”.please help i really want to train for real not run around and gain self-confidence(those kid classes that are really just day cares).
@Draco – visit several gyms and see for yourself. If you’re real young, you’ll have to find a gym that has other kids for you to spar. Being in a gym where you have no sparring partners won’t be much good for you. But the newspaper clippings is a good indicator, at least for me.
Hope you can help!
I happened to notice the comment above with similar problems. I am 14, and I really would like to box. I live in West Virginia and the Gyms around here are new and haven’t been in business long enough to even begin training pros. I went to the gym closest to me ( School of Hard Knocks Club) and they only have 3 trainers, and about 10 boxers, none of wich were impressive. The equipment is adequate, but then again I don’t like machines, I like press ups, sit ups, pull ups, etc. I hope you can help me out somewhat, thankyou.
im 29 never had a gym to go to. ones just opend up and i really want to join as ive loved boxing from a young age… what can i expect? am i going to be fodder for the younger more experienced guys? i dnt mind taking a pride bashing as long as i can learn more of what im passionate about!
@Nathan – you’ll have to keep looking for a better gym. Or be on the lookout for my training guides that will go up for sale 😉
@dan williams – go to any gym and tell them you want to learn. You learn better when you’re not getting beat up. a good gym will find a way to teach you without beating you up.
Hi i am looking to get into boxing and i want to learn the right way so i dont create any bad habits. I live in Southern California, Diamond Bar to be exact, and im looking for a good expert boxing gym to train me. Any good gym suggestions??
Hi Brent,
I know there’s a lot of good gyms out that way. My suggestion is to train at 2 or 3 of them and see what kind of trainer you get and how much attention they give you, how hard they spar, etc. See if they have competing fighters.
Hi Johnny, would you recommend a good boxing gym for beginner , i am live in west covina, ca. thnak you!
13109864843
JOHNNY, IM 5″10 74.4KG lean muscle built, im fighting in amateurs at middleweight 75kg, what would be best style for me? I am a aggresive push foward type fighter but move alot to not take shots ( if that makes sence) with preety good punch power, im shorter than the average 75kg fighter, so was wondering who would you suggest me watching to learn more from?
I have been watchin tyson, roberto duran and miguel cotto as i can relate to them. any ideas
thanks
IRON BOY, the answer is easy. Learn EVERYTHING. From there you can adapt and choose what is best. I would never limit you by telling you learn specifically one thing. Learn everything, that’s what real fighters do.
Johnny, there is a boxing gym in my area that is growing popularity at a rapid pace, my friend even tells me oscar de la hoya pays a visit to it. is that always the best way to go? to a big fancy gym? what ive noticed about gyms such as 24-hour fitness. is that they get over crowded and im not able to get the work out i need. is it the same for boxing gyms? with so many people in one gym i dont feel ill be able to get the workouts i need, and like you said in an article before that a trainer with too many fighters doesnt have time to work with each fighter individually. ive always been a smash mouth work with what i got type athlete. i would highly appreciate your opinions on this…..
All gyms are different so I can’t tell you what to expect. The best advice I’d say is to visit 3 gyms and pick the one you like. Make sure you go when most of the fighters train so that you can see how they really train.
If i see a gym online is that the same as being there or would i see something different than what i see on the boxing main page for that gym or on youtube?
J, I don’t understand what you mean by “see a gym online”. The only way to check out a gym is to go in person when the competing fighters are there. Watching their youtube doesn’t say much because many competing fighters do not put up their videos for fear of their opponents studying their style.
Basically what its a summary of all the work outs and how the gym is. not their whole fights or sparring but small portions like a preview of the gym
You really can’t judge a gym until you see how they run their classes. Every gym will have workouts and drills and sparring but you don’t see the quality or effectiveness until you witness it in person. Just my two cents.
Makes sense to me know. thank you
Hey johnny
I’ve been working out at the local boxing center. It’s a state sponsored center , so there are no “personal” trainers. A guy who I know from one of my classes (I’m in college) has managed to get one of the trainers there to be his personal trainer. I tried asking him to be my trainer as well , but he just sort of brushed me aside. I’ve only been working out there for about 3 weeks. Since I’m new to boxing , I’ve been using your articles, exclusively, to direct my training. Would you happen to have any advice ? I live in Miami ( fl), if you know of a good gym or trainer who’s super cheap ( remember I’m in college:)please let me know .
Thanks and keep up the great work
I’m not familiar with the boxing scene in Miami and have never been there. If you’re looking to do amateur competition, I would suggest looking up local boxing tournaments and seeing which gyms have the best performing boxers.
There is also a good list of boxing gyms here: http://www.boxinggyms.com/addresses/florida.htm
Moses you can always go on google and look up trainers in your area
Tried that . The trainers that can afford to advertise on Google always cost more than I can pay ! Lol
Hey Johnny,
I’ve looked all over, but where I live right now, the closest gym that has anything to do with boxing is at least 45 mins. away. Any suggestions on finding something closer?
Matt, I would try looking for MMA gyms or martial arts schools that have muay thai, kickboxing, or boxing classes.
Hey johnny. A lot of gyms in the bay area (California) are now doing classes
Instead of having a trainer watch you train you. U mention trainers as to classes. Would u recommend
Looking for a gym that has that old school style where a trainer looks after you instead of having a class? Thanks
Mike, look for a real gym with real trainers and real fighters. How they run their classes is on them. Take a look at what type of people take the classes and you’ll know what level of boxing it is. Some fighting gyms do run circuits and classes but the real personal develop is usually during the 1-on-1 time.
Any recommendations for Peninsula area? There’s B Street, Gladiators, Westside…etc
Thanks!
i was going to enter my first boxing gym today. he told me an address and it led to a middle school(i checked a day before) so the day of i called 45 minutes before, training was 6-9 mon-fri but i called at 515 just to verify where to go, the conversation was going ok, and i asked what i needed the clothes he told me to wear i did not own, i usually workout in basketball or gym shorts. then he asked if i had a beanie, i said yeah then he replied then wear that and hit me with the N word, i felt very offended and i never even seen this trainer yet he went from sir, god bless, to the N word, so i decided not to go and changed my idea about his gym period, i also shared my negative experience with other boxing buddies of mine, am i wrong for changing my mind at the last second johnny? May i please get your opinion or thoughts on this decision?
I think you made the right decision. Although I will say that some trainers are jerks. They grew up with a hard life and believe it’s necessary to make everyone else’s life hard. Check out another place.
Hey Johnny, im 16 and love boxing and I was wondering if I should find a new gym. I go to La boxing in orlando and its 85 a month and thats just for gym access cardio classes! Any additional one-on-one training costs 40$ per half hour of training and the trainers are all fighters themselves. All the fighters have 30 pounds and 10 years age plus some experience on me. Also i found another gym thats 25 minutes from my house and costs 150 a month for 3 sessions a week and unlimited gym access. So i was wondering should i switch or stay and whats a good price for training and a gym??? BTW I had a construction job over the summer and built an out of town fitness center and the owner gave me free boxing equipment such as heavy bags, speed bag, double end, and slipbag. so i have it at my house so i have equipment but no trainer.
Sounds like you have to keep looking around until you find a gym you like. If your number one goal is to learn and build experience, quality instruction should outweigh cost and convenience.
I will, thank you for the advice.
Johnny,
What’s your take on LA Boxing Clubs? It’s a pretty clean place, but they have former pro MMA guy who is one of the GM’s and trainers. I got to meet him, seems like he’s pretty knowledgable and willing to train me. They had options for training and free classes at around 50-60 bucks a month (albeit 1-3 year contracts), and one on one “fight club” training for about $140 a mo.
I’m in north NJ, but I can’t really afford anything over $40 a month. Any advice? Am I better off going to the YMCA (boxing classes for $20 Saturdays and Sunday’s)? Or saving for a boxing rack to train on my own at home?
Stay within your budget, financial discipline is important in these times. Since you’re lucky to live near a YMCA with boxing classes, I’d definitely try those. It sounds like they don’t have a 1-3 year contract so what’s the worst that can happen? If you don’t like the classes (which I doubt) then at least you’ll know!
I really don’t like the LA Boxing chain gyms. They’re not real boxing gyms and function more as a business than a place for developing boxing talent. Every now and then you will find real boxers and coaches that train there but I recommend you go to a real boxing gym and see the difference for yourself. Training at LA Boxing is still better than training at home alone though.
Then again, it depends on what your goals are. If you want to develop real fighting schools, you need to be a good gym and around good fighters for better instruction and motivation.
Hey Joey R, if you’re still looking for a gym in nothern NJ, there’s the PAL in hackensack that costs next to nothing and theyre the real deal. The other one i know is DMG School of boxing training in Paterson, not too much and theres a good staff and good equiptment. if you need any help you can emial me at [email protected], it would be cool to meet more boxers in nothern new jersey even though I moved up to albany my family is still there and I train at DMG whenever i’m home
hey johnny,
just wondering what your take was on gyms that ask for an annual payment membership, not monthly?
aka – an annual payment is never a good idea. Gyms want you to pay upfront because they’re know you’re more than likely to quit before the year is up. “But I’m not like those people!” you might be saying, well… everyone thinks that when they sign up but things definitely change and the gym knows it.
See if they have a monthly subscription or one that you can cancel at any time without penalty (watch out for “30 day notices” which are just another way to squeeze a payment out of you). The cost might be more, but its worth it for a couple of months to really get to know if it’s a gym that works for you. A couple of bucks for a couple of months is much better than getting locked into a year contract.
I don’t like boxing gyms that are all about business. In fact, I’ve never paid a dime for any boxing instruction in my life. I had great trainers that were excited to train me for free. Annual payment is too much in my opinion.
Hey Johnny,
is it important to learn fundamentals while sparring, or to learn fundamentals first and then spar? My gym is just putting me in the ring, i’ve been training 3 months so far, i’m alright but not that good.
Both. You need to do both to help improve both.
hi,
I am fairly new to boxing. I know the technique very well. I have watched videos, had 5 lessons and really, feel i have a good technique. However, i haven’t had lessons for a few months. I struggle with footwork. i do a lot of shadow boxing to try and perfect that. Should i have a few private lessons to boost my footwork and improve my boxing significantly, or should i go to group classes and slowly learn things that way.
Thank you
Henry
I would go to a boxing gym and spend some 1-on-1 time with a REAL boxing coach. The group classes are usually for cardio rather than actual boxing technique. I would also suggest for you to buy my ebook. I doubt you will find as much quality instruction anywhere for the same money.
If you were to go to gym and found a better gym would you just disappear or tell the coach its not working to well?
Most people will just disappear. You don’t owe anybody an explanation unless you’ve made some kind of commitment or you would feel better about letting your coach know. In my opinion, there’s no need to give someone negative feedback if you’re not going to give them a chance to fix it.
just changed my gym…i told them I was moving (haha, the things we’ll do). Anyways I’ve found the perfect boxing gym in my area, one that’s a youth centre but trains pros and amateurs. Thanks for your article it really helped, now that I’m more learned in boxing i’ll know how to seperate the real trainers and coaches from the business oriented ones.
Greetings from Greece!!! You ‘re doing good work with the site, it has helped me a lot since i started boxing, so i guess… thanks. Unfortunately (for boxers) here kick-boxing and muay thai are more famous (due to fighters like michalis zampidis and pavlos kaponis), so there are not so many boxing gyms (and the trainers ratio in the existing, at least in mine, is 1 trainer/15 boxers). I would be grateful if you could suggest me some good books about boxing (i’m reading now championship fighting by jack dempsey). keep up the good work…
I have to say my “How to Box in 10 Days” ebook is a pretty good start. It covers a lot of boxing techniques at a more in-depth level any other book I’ve seen. If I ever see another commercial book with more detail, I will let you know.
Hello Johnny, I’m from Puerto Rico and I got a serious problem in the Gym I are going the trainer want that I do exactly how he said, I fought with other styles and other techniques what do you recommend me to do change the Gym or something? thanks, and sorry for my english.
I’m sorry I don’t understand your post. If you’re not happy with your gym or trainer, then try changing to something else.
Johnny,
I worked with a trainer back home in jersey , when I met him he didnt have a real gym but a fitness studio about the size of a garage. Tranining there was intense and got me used to the intensity of boxing training. He opened up a real gym after I left for school and invited me to come fight for him, but I got a job here in Upstate NY so I have to find another gym. I found 4 possibilities and was wondering which you though was best. I want to join USA boxing and my ultimate goal is to go to Golden Gloves or the olympics. Im gonna take a little tour and go for a free workout at each once I get my car fixed.
Gym 1: local “youth” boxing gym specializing in amateur boxing. Mostly made for middle school/ high school kids to keep them off the street but they have programs for fighters too. Low price, but I’m not sure if I would be “welcomed” at this gym because theres a bad relationship between college kids and “townies” around here. If i go to this one I was thinking of keeping my status as a student a secret.
Gym 2: Publicly funded, free boxing gym about a half hour away. I heard it gets very crowded and the long drive will present a problem.
Gym 3: private, fully loaded gym with all the ammenities. Specialiizes in “boxercise” classes but also trains and manages fighters. I talked to the owner via email and he seemed willing to work with me but wanted to see how well I performed in the fitness classes before he let me fight (focus mitts, heavy bags, double end bag,, ect) also quite expensive and about a 20 minute drive
Gym 4: Private MMA sports complex with 2 cages and a boxing ring. Doesnt focus much on boxing but they have a former Light Middleweight champ on staff who I might be able to teach me private classes, but Im not sure the availability of sparring partners and price. Also, his experience is in Professional boxing which is different than Amateur.
I would pick Gym 1. Meet people, ask around, and move on to a better full of competing fighters. Either way, you have to try them all out if you want to know for sure which is best.
I’m a little bit anxious about finding a gym. Like, in the likely scenario I actually get in a gym -that turns out to be a bad one. By the time I would have found out, it would be too late and I’ll feel sort of like a trapped animal. Being too afraid to speak out and back out. Or at least that’s how i feel right now-I’m planning to start my road in August 2013. By when I hope to establish a clear, unbreakable will. I also read your guide on how to be great, and I wouldn’t want a crummy gym to block my path.
By the way, Huge Thanks to you! You’re a very good person to have taken so much of your time to share your passion of boxing to others. I can’t express how much I appreciate your guides! Thanks again Johnny!
I live in south central los angeles california 90011. what would be a Good gym for me i am skinny tall and 17 year old about to be 18 can you suggest good gym i am looking for a gym around me.
Look around, there are several gyms in that area.
Hey. I’m 18 6’2 and 175lb.. pretty skinny right now as I stopped lifting weights and working out for a while. I can put on muscle quickly, and get to around 190 in about a month to two months.
Is it okay for someone to have a decent size of muscle and box, or do you have to be lean with as little muscle as possible?
I want to get into boxing and may very well do amateur, not too sure about pro. I’m looking for a gym thats serious on training novices.
I live in south brunswick, new jersey.
Any tips?
Thanks!
First, you have to get into a gym and try boxing. Once you’re in there, you’ll find out what your lean body weight should be. You’ll be able to compare your power to somebody else and see what your body can handle. You’re also pretty young so your body will still be developing over the next 10 years.
Sorry to bother you again, but I recently joined a boxing gym.
As for the description there is a small spot where people do some type of martial arts, a ring in the middle, bags on one side, other things on other sides etc.. Anyways I don’t see any adult men training there, mostly kids and teens in their early to late teen years.
The trainers there just told me to go on the treadmill, jump rope for 3 rounds, and then told me to do shadow boxing. The trainer showed me how to throw a jab for two seconds then walked away. Second day I showed up same thing except I put some handwraps and gloves on. Was told to hit the heavy bag. After a while of hitting the heavy bag, one trainer came and showed me some moves for about 10 minutes.
He came back and talked to me every now and then. Other then the one trainer, I’m only told to do this without being watched or shown.
This really seemed like a youth center, people that come here are mostly male kids to late teens and a few females. But its $80 for admission and $30 a month for one person.
What are your thoughts on this gym? Thanks!
Have a look a round and check out other gyms. See what you like best.
im from india and i want to learn boxing but we don’t have any boxing gym nearby so in that case what can i do??
Watch youtube videos and read free online guides. Or move to another location where you have access to a boxing gym.
hello sir
my name is hari, I’m from india. i want to learn boxing but we don’t have any boxing nearby. What can i do? plz help me
Hi mate! Im thinking of going to a boxing gym to do some training and hopefully some sparring, I’m 20 though? Would this make a difference, I have no boxing experience at all but am a huge fan so I wanted to give it a shot. Would this be a good idea or would I just be wasting my time because I’ve left it too late, also I’m 6’3 and 162 lbs, would that me middleweight?
Get to a gym and start training and see where your ability lies.
in your experience is golden gloves a great gym? and if their are better how do i find them? a real boxing gym not a work out place. i want to go pro with my life and am willing to die for it but i also want to be so good that i can come out with out so much brain damage that i am drooling on my self. in fact i want to be good enough that i could be a doctor and many other hard done things, i am not trying to be vain but i feel i have talent in both because my grades and physique show it and i cant chose between them so i want to find a gym that can be willing to go with me as far as they can with out ruining my chance at increasing my knowledge intake when i retire. I also have more questions that i hope you could answer. i am sorry if this was too long or troublesome to read, i have the heart just no experience. thank you for reading.
Check out different gyms and see which one you like best.
hey, I am 14 years old and all of the people that train with me are a lot bigger than me, i mean A LOT, what should i do? and also we dont train on the double end bag and the speed bag, we just do some skipping at the start, technique, then sparring and body sparring then the heavy bag. Is that a sign that i should change boxing gyms?
Find a gym with more people your size. Checking out other boxing gyms would be a good idea.
Hi! I’m paige i just turned 15 and I’m trying to find a place to teach me boxing and good cardio but i need to find a good gym and a trainer… what should i do?
Look up boxing gyms or MMA gyms on Google. Go into one and ask around. Look up local fighting events and see what gyms the fighters are representing.
Thank you
I purchased your advance training videos..great stuff. You’re such a good teacher. I’ve purchased a lot of boxing training videos and none have broken it down like you. I’d really be interested to attend one or your workshops. Do you have plans to do any more? I hope so. What city(s) do you offer the workshops? I looked on the site and the net to try and figure out where you’re located…but no luck.
Hi Tony,
The easiest place for me to offer workshops is in LA. I’m willing to do it elsewhere if the demand was high enough to cover my transportation and lodging costs. I would enjoy doing some more in the future and would be nice to have it organized through a gym or organization or somebody who can help promote the event.
well that works out great cuz I’m in LA too. So do you have a place on your site where you list your upcoming events?
I’ll definitely post it up when I have one coming up and announce it in my newsletter and Facebook. Right now, I don’t have any scheduled but I’ll definitely consider doing one this summer.
The paragraph about controlled sparring – I could not agree more. You don’t learn to have heart and keep fighting by being regularly beaten up. Also something I’ve found (a tip for other women) – if you’re in the right gym, you can be one of a handful (or the only) woman in there, and you’ll be comfortable anyway. I train at a competition fighter’s gym, I’m usually the only woman in there, I walked in there not knowing a thing, and the guys have never been anything but supportive. Which includes honest feedback, honest training, honest sparring – they ‘go easy’ because I’m not at their level, not because I’m ‘a girl’. It’s very much worth looking around for somewhere you’re comfortable, it’s a great sport for women as well!
I’m very happy for you, Mel. I wish more women could find boxing gyms like yours.
Is it possible to do amateur fights or even become pro later on in boxing by training in a MMA gym, because there are no other gyms near me, also the MMA gym focuses more on muay thai, and grappling/BJJ than boxing self.
Training in an MMA gym is better than nothing but you should ultimately move to a boxing gym as soon as possible if you want a real chance at having a successful boxing career.
Good Day Sir.
Sir i am victor the boxing coach from Nigeria,i saw your gym in the inter net,and i want to make use of your gym to train my boxers,your gym is a very good standered gym,in Nigeria we lack of boxing equipment,please sir kindly respond to me quickly,looking forward to hear from you soon.
Victor
Hi Victor,
Are you planning to bring your team to the states? I don’t understand what you’re asking for.
So, I am about to join my local LA Boxing facility and I had my free class today. There wasn’t anyone in the ring. I was just wondering if you had ever been involved in LA Boxing and your honest opinion on it. I’ve also considered Title Boxing which is a bit further from where I live. Could you possibly compare the two? I’d actually learn how to fight and spar.
I’ve been to LA Boxing before and it’s pretty much overpriced boxercise. There are legitimate trainers at certain gyms but the atmosphere and environment is not built for actual learning. It’s expensive and lacks the authentic rawness that you find in real boxing gyms. My suggestion for you to is check out several different boxing gyms (JUST LOOK, NO SPARRING) and you’ll get an idea of where you think you’ll fit in best.
STEELEBOXER Boxing, Kickboxing gym was voted “BEST OF L.A.’ by Los Angeles Magazine is celebrating 30 years of being the Top Boxing, Kickboxing gym in the Marina del Rey, Venice area. STEELEBOXER was the first gym to open on the westside and is still the BEST. Being the most well equipped gym with a full 18ft elevated pro ring, a weight room, circuit training room, bag room, Ali style footwork area STEELEBOXER provides only private training. If you are a pro fighter, a star working on a film or just a regular person wanting to get in shape with boxing, kickboxing STEELEBOXER is the BEST place to train for all your needs.
STEELEBOXER, 407 Washington Blvd, Marina del Rey, C.A.
310-827-2697, [email protected]
Sorry, I meant to say I’d like to learn how to fight and spar (legitimately)
hey johnny i just stumbled onto your site not too long ago and i am impressed by the amount of knowledge you have of boxing. im looking to get into boxing to get into shape and be to hopefully one day compete have you ever heard of Primetime Boxing?
I’ve never heard of Primetime Boxing or at least don’t think I have.
Johnny N, do you know of any good boxing gyms in the houston area? I know you live in LA but maybe you have been here before and that I should personally check out the gyms, but can you please give me a suggestion of good gyms in the area to look? Thank you.
I’ve never been to Houston and never trained out there. Shouldn’t be too hard. Check them out and see what you find.
Does anyone know whether LABoxing( UFC Gym) is a good gym to improve on boxing skills and amateur fighting?it seems like “fat camp”
LA Boxing kind of is “fat camp”. Back when I was training in Orange County, our gym basically won every smoker match against the local LA Boxing. Even our girls were scoring knockouts against them. It’s a heavily commercialized gym with “fight classes”. I’m sure some of them have legitimate instructors but in my opinion, if you want the best learning experience: go to a boxing gym and train with amateur boxers.
I live in Bloomington IN,and currently a college student. I’m planning to join the Olympic 2016 in Rio. So far,I just train by myself; shadow box, jump rope, jogging. I can’t find any boxing gym nearby my area, so, what should I do?
Move. Find a good gym and start getting some amateur experience under your belt.
Hey Johnny. I’m looking to start soon and I love your blog! What I get from this is that mma gyms aren’t good enough for boxing?
I can’t agree with that as a blanket statement. Some MMA gyms have dedicated boxing trainers which would qualify them for boxing but overall, I feel MMA gyms don’t have the best learning environment for boxing.
I live in Lancaster California, about an hour’s drive north of Los Angeles. I was wondering if you know of any good boxing gyms near me. I’m 16 years old (about to turn 17), I don’t meet your list of conditioning requirement recommendations for starting amateur boxing mostly due to being out of shape and overweight (need to lose a good 30lbs of fat, 5, 7 tall & 180lbs when lean muscle) but I would like to get into great shape and then try to get to amateur boxing level. I have a friend who is an amateur MMA fighter (he is REALLY good). He may be able to help me train (mitts, sparing, and stuff like that) as his background is boxing, muay Thai, wrestling, and BJJ.
I haven’t boxed up there but I think there are some pretty good gyms for amateur boxing. Look around and see.
i read that you never payed for boxing lessons but what is the ideal price range in your opinion? right now im paying $195 for 1 on 1. i feel that advance group classes would benefit me more because im working with other people as well. what do you think?
The most important focus to me is not price but quality of instruction. With that said, the cheaper the price the better I like it. I’ve never paid for boxing lessons so it’s hard for me to tell you what’s good out there. Even if you gave me the price sheet and class description, I still wouldn’t know how beneficial the lessons were until I saw the instruction myself.
I would recommend for you to look around, try different options, and pick the one you like best.
Thanks
I know this answere already but i am a very sturdy guy and was woundering if you would interview me to be a trainer at your gym?
We’re not looking for any trainers right now and I don’t personally do the hiring part. It’s a private gym where different trainers and fighters come together to train and spar with others. Where are you located?
Texas.
Ooooh… ok. Well if you’re ever in LA, you can contact me.
Thank you. I will.
Do you know any good boxing gyms in Tampa Florida
Hello. I started taking boxing lessons recently in this gym. It’s pretty new and own/run by a married couple who are also boxers. Both Christina and Silky do the training. There are group conditioning classes and individual training. Also you are free to use the gym at anytime while they’re open. Their website needs some working, but you can check out their Facebook page and Youtube videos.
Oops! I forgot this:
http://www.bulldogboxingandfitness.com/about.html
Isn’t number of successful fighters an important factor too? There’s a gym here that has that youth program and is free, but it’s also turned out 14 Golden and Silver Gloves champions, the current national champion at 141 pounds and at least a couple notable pros.
Well yes, good gyms will typically have champions. I would say you have to be careful about that. Because every legit boxing gym will have at least a past or current champion.
And the problem is that just because you see champions in there doesn’t mean you get access to the trainers of those champions. I’ve seen many nice gyms where the good trainers and fighters come only to use the ring and equipment. But they’re all off to one side doing their own thing while everybody else is on the other side doing the basic cardio-boxing BS.
This is good advice . I started a new gym on a month to month. Big place with regulation ring and two smaller. Big and newer which didnt have thevfeel of s serious gym.They train competing guys but the trainer is in his twenties so i asked around snd went with another trainer. He speaks no english. First day he did mitts with me forvfour rounds and just said harder with no technique then had me do heavy bag speedbag jump rope and sbs and run 25 miniutes. On my second day he told me what to do and watched his one guy spar train another one and text. After an hour and a half of constant training he asked through his othrr student if i could get h blood pressure medication because im a nurse. Ive decided if i have to drive to the bronx from jersey ill do it. Lucky its a no committment gym.
Hey Johnny, just recently switched to a new boxing gym. Reason I switched was because the old gym was only an MMA gym and didnt give the true boxing experience to me. Went and checked it out today and trained. Looked like a pretty good Gym to me lots of polite people, the ring was in use most of the time, lots of amateurs and pros training at the gym. The only thing that makes me worried is that when I came into the gym the Trainer said hi talked to me for a bit and let me do my own thing for the rest of the part. Is that how its supposed to be in boxing gyms because at my MMA gym there was more instruction I guess. Just a bit confused about that. Other than that the Gym is great the trainer is nice and same with all the pros. I think he was paying more attention to his pros because both of them are fighting next week and they were getting in some sparring. Just wanted to know your opinion on it.
Spend some time there and see how you like it. Every gym has it’s own culture. Sometimes they don’t want to give you too much instruction because they don’t want to put too much pressure on you.
i’m looking for boxing train
hey do you know any boxing gyms in new york/brooklyn that have decently priced gyms?
Thanks!
Check out The Boxing District when you are in LA. Great authentic boxing gym.
https://www.facebook.com/BoxingDistrict
Los Angeles that is*
Im 16 i have a little mixed martial arts experience i stopped for a while but im looking to get back into it any gyms near woodbridge new jersey?
Can anyone help me to become a boxer? I’m 19 currently live in Elk Grove, Sacramento about to move out to Rancho Cordova. I have no experience of boxing but I have been in fights before. I know I have the endurance of what it takes because I don’t give up easily and I always love to constantly challenge my body and to put it to the test. If anyone can help please let me know better to reach me by my number instead of e-mail. (916)-798-1135
Hey Johnny, i just went to one of my local boxing gyms today and met the owner and talked to him a little about their boxing program and amateur boxing. It seems like a really nice gym, there’s a pro boxing trainer, the owner was a washington state middleweight kick boxing champion and more. Except the owner was very rude and made me feel not welcomed at all, he kept trying to push me away from amateur boxing by always bring up how i could get knocked out and asked me if i realized people used full power, and when i told him about how i have my black belt in tae kwon do and have done full contact olympic style sparring he kinda laughed. He just really didn’t seem like he cared about the fighters that much. Would you suggest i try out the gym anyways? His attitude and approach really makes me not want to join and take my money somewhere else!
To be honest, I would have laughed, too. Not because Tae Kwon Do isn’t a great sport, but because the skills are hardly transferable to boxing. At best, maybe the footwork and conditioning, but that’s about it. I like to think he laughed because he underestimated you. In any case, you should try and see before deciding if it’s not for you. Many of the best trainers are super sarcastic cynical dudes who seem to hate life. But they actually warm up and get deep with you if they see you making the effort. Try out different places and pick the one you like best.
Hello my names Jeremiah and I’m 15 I’ve been wanting to learn boxing for a little while now just don’t know where to look and who I should contact I live in the Miami Hollywood Fl area. Hopefully you can help me some kind of way, what should I do please help …. Thanks in advance
Pues yo opino que esto del boxer es una buenas dicisiones para ser algien enel mundo bueno yo busco una oportunidad para entrar en este oficio del boxeo mis deseos es ser algien en esta vida,,
Ohh y otra cosa algien que sepa a donde puedo en contrar un gym para suscribirme y comensar a entrenar agamelo a saver porfabor vivo en H tx. Mi correo es .,reyes,[email protected]
Hi my name is Ethan and I’m 12 I live in doreen Melbourne Victoria Australia and I was wondering it you could tell me a good boxing gym to start training at thankyou
i am a orthodox 17 years 5.11″good power i think but a lack of trainer and gym.i am a bangladeshi there were alot of olympic gold medaliist from my country.i need a gym badly ther is a gym close to my home muhammad ali boxing gym(muhammad ali himself played a mach there at 1978) but its too expensive so plz help me finding the perfect gym pleaase @Johmy n
Hi Johnny. i want to find out where is good boxing club for pro in wastchester NY . i f you dont know can let me know how to find in goggle. thank you
My name is ibrahim owoiya I am from NIGERIA I am nationl boxing I an o top
Hi Johnny,
Lately, I’ve become fascinated with boxing (mainly from watching Tyson in his prime), before this I have mainly done Japanese martial arts. I have some past injuries (concussions, wonky 6th vertebrae) and I am 33, so I have no delusions of even becoming an amateur boxer. I’d want to train mainly for the skills and give me more reason to work on my conditioning (even developing some basic focus pad training would put me light-years ahead of where I am now) and maybe spar a couple of times lightly to see how it is.
Is a boxing gym going to feel like I am a waste of time if I don’t really plan on competing, let alone, regularly spar. Obviously I don’t expect the same level of one on one time commitment as other guys in the gym, but I’d hate to be allowed to develop bad technique etc.
Thoughts?
Step into some gyms and see what you find.
I am 16 I live in North Charleston, South Carolina & I want to become a serious boxer but i cant find any gyms around me can u please help me.
hi jony my name is romnick p diaz i am welling
the boxing gymy
I am 16 I live in North Charleston, South Carolina & I want to become a serious boxer but i cant find any gyms around me
I’m 15 and I live in central London. Do u know any good boxing or mma clubs or gyms that I can train with.
what are some good boxing gyms in the Everett area in Washington?
Hello, i would like to ask if anyone knows a real boxing gym, no fitness classes, near the Beverly Hill area. Iam an ex amateour boxer 39 years old and iam looking for a gym so i can learn new skills and correct my old bad habits on boxing. Thank you.
P.S. IAM WILLING TO TRAVEL SOME MILES E.G. TO GET TO AZTECA OR MAYWOOD BOXINH GYM.
Ugh I’m Not A Boxer… But I Really Wanna Start… Moma Need Help Payin Bills in I Wanna Help… I’m Smart Intelligent N Really Nice… please Help Me Start I can’t Go Another Day Sleeping On The Floor
Hi am joseph from nigeria,am 1.98m in height but I have not got training in boxing before,please can u recommend a good boxing gym for me to start training in United States because I will be moving down there soon.
Am 20 years
Hey Johnny,
I turn 17 in 20 days and am seriously considering joining a boxing gym. I find myself constantly watching boxing and I guess you could say that I’ve developed a passion for it, even though I’ve never stepped into the ring. I currently weigh 270 lbs. and stand at 5 ft 9in. I play football for my highschool so im not completely out of shape but i’m just a bit discouraged about my weight and how old I am. I was just wondering if i was too old and heavy to try and start boxing now.
Thank You
-Manny
Plant City, Fl
Im looking for a boxing gym near to me im live around 290 hway and 1960 loop i love box l really want to boxing and thanks
my name is romnick p.diaz i want join the boxing
im welling to boxing
Just signed my 9 yr. Old son at a gym where everyone is over 15. I read an article from Commando Boxing and the author says that trainers will ignore you if they don’t see you putting in the work. I learned how to wrap my son’s hands, because the assistant didn’t seem to happy to do it on his second day. The Commando Boxing guy also says that they’re not there to babysit you so do your own thing and the trainer or assistant will tell tell you if you’re doing it wrong and move on. You should read Commando Boxing’s article, because now I am confused. Should I go to a different gym. I live in Queens and it seems like there aren’t many gyms in NY like there were before the 90’s. No wonder there aren’t many good pros from NY anymore.
I currently belong to a kickboxing gym and I love it. However, the first half hour
concentrates on a lot of floor exercises, which I have difficulty with. I love the boxing end of it and want to do more.
Would a boxing gym let me join simply to punch the bags?
I’m a 57 year old, overweight woman! I simply want to add more boxing to what I already do, but, I have no desire to get in the ring with anyone. Thoughts???
Do you know any good gyms near salt lake city
hi im 13 turning 14 this year i’m 5.8 foot i weigh 135 pounds.
i have found a nice gym with the main trainer sometimes giving lessons (sometimes its his assistent)
i do jjj (with the adults) and when sparring i get my as whooped.
so i know a prof kickbox,box girl (prof) who suggested me to go to that gym.i will be the youngest (it normaly is from 15-?
there are a few champs(sugar jackson…) but i havnt tried it out yet i can only come in a month cuz it starts in spetember.
maybe you have heard about this gym its antwerp boxing academy.
the trainer is renald de vulder.
they have 2 pictures of alli one is to commemarete joe frazer (he was in thep icture with ali) and another just plain old ali
By everything I’ve just read, I need a real trainer that is as serious about boxing as I am. I’m not really sure where your located but I’m about 30 minutes outside of Charlotte NC, I need someone that is as straight forward as the person that wrote the article I just read.
I don’t need anything candy coated, I need to hear what I need to know because I’m not a quieter, if I have a goal, I got and take what is rightfully mine, I think you know what I mean by that. So if I got the category for anyone you might be looking for let me know I’m all in. You have my email my phone number is ( 704 ) 699-7564.
Hey Johnny, my name is Pavlo. Quick question.. Do I need to be a part of a boxing club in order to compete in New Jersey. I know i need to fill out the application but do I have to be with a boxing or can I have my own personal trainer and till be able to compete?
I go to a boxing gym and ive been going to a boxing club for a couple months now and despite how much I go there or how hard I work, the traines there dont seem to want me on the amateur team. Should I leave?
I am 14, and in about 2 years i would like to join a boxing gym, do you know of any in NJ, preferably near plainsboro.
HI, do you know of a good boxing gym in/near plainsboro NJ? i am about 14 and maybe in the next two years i would wanna join one. I want a gym where you dont need to sign up for classes, one that i can just go to, and practice with a punching bag or something
http://www.teamusa.org/usa-boxing/membership/find-a-club
USA Boxing has a website with all the registerd boxing clubs in the country broken down by state. I go to college in NJ and i train at Elite Heat Boxing Club bc i found them through this website!
Good Luck!
Do you have any you would recommend near plainsboro, cause i dont want to have to drive too far, and i dont want classes, but more like a regular gym, where you go, train, and leave on your own time
No sure just go ahead and lump women in with old men and children, as if i didnt feel unwelcome enough at all the boxing gyms im looking into. Good thing i found one with an international female champion
I am 23 year old,& I eager to learn boxing can I learn it or its too late?
at this age you can learn boxing easily if you are serious …
l am looking for a nice boxing broker who can handle me well now,008613203689861
can anyone suggest the website where i can find the videos of boxing…
Hey Johnny I’m just getting into boxing,am a beginner want to atlest try fighting amatuer,see if I can make it.live in San Pedro,California any great boxing gyms that can teach and train me in the long beach torrance area in Southern California ? Thank you again!
My old gym closed and the club recently relocated to a fitness type gym Now we’ve got people lifting weights, people doing karate, girls bouncing up and down doing aerobics (far too distracting) horrible techno music blasting out, women discussing rubbish loudly etc. Far better was the old, dusty, sweaty, smelly gym with its wizened old trainers and reggae music
Hello,This is Armin Korpi,I’m from Iran,I really love boxing in my city there is a boxing gym but the trainers don’t care about the boxers it’s why I left the gym and I have been practicing Boxing for 3 years at home,my hands are really fast and I’m 19 years old,I don’t know how can I improve my skills please help me.
I refer to your site a lot. You give valuable honest advice. My concern is pretty common . Ive been at my gym five months and only sparred twice. My trainer has me doing the same thing , running , shadowboxing , heavy bag and double end bag. We do two rounds of mitts. Thing is im getting no sparring. Im not improving doing the same thing and only sparred twice the whole time. I hate the idea of quitting. Should I stick it out and push through or look elsewhere?
Hi i am from Jacksonville and really want to box but for free seeing as how that is the only way my parents will let me I am 15 years old and need one close to home do you have any ideas as to where or how i can start, I want to go all the way to pros but start out smalls thank for replying if you do.
Would you reccomend Title Boxing Gym? i have heard it is good, but i dont want a gym that you go to classes, but instead one that you can go to just workout, so if you know anying about Title, can you please explain
Hi johnny, my coach teaches me high guard but I like using the guard which u showed in ur videos… He scolds me for that what should I do. He also pushes me for strength training which i don’t like… I am a speedy boxer.. More appropriately a runner and defensive boxer… He doesn’t like my game also… Should i find a new gym
I dont live near a gym and im 18 and i love boxing what to improve on speed and good form
My pops is a great trainer and I gotta agree with the father/ son training at the gym. It is great motivation.
I need a suggestion for a gym in greater north philly I’ve been at home practicing and polishing what little skills I got I need a gym to get that push though
Does anybody have recommendations for a boxing gym in San Francisco?
3rd Street Boxing Gym.
Hey Johnny,
I messed around with boxing a little when I was younger, and now I want to do it properly. I’m aged 30 – I’m not expecting to turn pro but I’ve kept in shape and I think I could be decent. I’d like to boost my training up and get it off to a good start by going to a training camp – I know for example you can go to Muay Thai camp in Thailand. Can you recommend anything similar for western boxing? I was thinking somewhere I could train for a like a month, intensively, then come back home and go to regular class a couple of times a week. I feel like I’m in better shape and have better basics than a beginner, but no where near good enough basics to go to an expert camp. Really I don’t want to get any key details wrong at the start so I’d rather err on the side of going to a more beginner camp. I live in the UK, but I’m happy to travel if its for 2 weeks or more of training. Please let me know your thoughts. Asking because your sight is great and I’d definitely respect your opinion. Thanks!
They don’t have tourist-style camps like that in boxing. They probably should as I think there might be some popularity to it. But you really could just move out to some place and then give it a try. I’ve had many russians ask me about it before.
Thankyou
I have two sons 17 and 12 year old. I would like for them to train in a good boxing gym for one month during summer break “April” 2017. The trainer will be the one to let me know if they have the ability to be a professional boxer in the future? But if not, at least they will know the basics of boxing, discipline, confidence and in good shape. I live in the island of Mindoro but willing to travel for excellent training. Can you recommend a great boxing gym, that will give a good price for my two sons? My contact number 09177613156 globe.
Thank you for your time and investment you give for the sport of boxing!
Pastor George Navarro
I don’t know any boxing gyms out there but hopefully you find one. Good luck to your sons, Pastor George.
Hi Johnny
First of all thank you for sharing all your knowledge on this site.
I’m starting boxing this week but my mom is unwilling to let me spend my money on proper equipment ( shoes , gloves, etc.) until I have trained at a gym for a few months to be ‘sure’ that I like it. Should I go to the gym without the proper gear or should I try to convince my mom that I really am willing to spend money in order to pursue the sport?
Thank you again for your amazing articles
Joseph
Go without proper gear, Joseph. Many kids do that, too.
Help me to be a professional boxer am in Bloemfontein 0730603388 that my contact details.
Hey – thanks for this still current article 🙂
I find the following interesting: “You’ll recognize one by its smell – like a old sock unwashed for weeks”
I’m new to boxing (or anything martial art) and visited an MMA gym near me, which has great credentials apparently.
I stopped by to book a trial session and the smell was horrendous, it was almost a showstopper for me. My sense of smell is already better than most people I know, how can I overcome this? I really would like to join them but the smell is putting me off big time (I wish my sense of smell was bad in this case). Will I get used to it?
Kana, you might get used to it. Some people can get really turned but off but this smell can be associated with hard work and success. I’ve smelled ballet studios that can get somewhat close to a boxing gym.
Hello, have you heard of or been to a TITLE BOXING GYM? it seems kinda gimmicky but there have been olympic fighters from there. would you recommend?
I’m 16 and I’m looking for a gym near me to learn boxing. I want to be able to protect myself as well as participate in something outside my comfort zone than stay in the house all day.
This was a great article. I’ve been to a number of boxing gyms and this guy hits the nail on the head! Give me s pro boxing gym full of men gloved up and working to be the best they can be! Do g want women of kids around! Wish I knew where this guy has a gym!
Am I too old to begin my career as boxer? Iam 25 years running.
Try it and see!
Need to find a skilled boxing instructor in the monroeville,export, murraysville , Pennsylvania. Area
I want somebody to train me to be a best boxer is CHICAGO
Want to get in the nearest boxing gym in or around Springfield,ILL.thats ope now.
“boxing zoo”, LOL, such a perfect metaphore to describe a pro gym. Excelent article, thanks for sharing!