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Any boxers out there?
robbyras
Posts: 5,487 ✭
I'm thinkin of getting a heavy bag and some gloves to have at the house and mess around with... I'm no boxer, but I think it would do me some good... knowwhati'msayin?
looking for a recommendation on bag and practice gloves...
I was thinkin of starting with something like this...
Everlast 100-Year Anniversary 80-Pound Heavy Bag Kit
looking for a recommendation on bag and practice gloves...
I was thinkin of starting with something like this...
Everlast 100-Year Anniversary 80-Pound Heavy Bag Kit
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Comments
If you are not used to punching stuff get wristwraps. Many people want to haul off and hit a bag hard as they can. Then realize their wrist was bent and it really hurts. Don't be that guy.
Also an 80# bag is a good bag to work with. Start light and easy to get your stamina up. Also helps get your form ready when you start hitting hard. Don't be discouraged if the first time you hit a heavy bag you can only do it 3 or 4 times of a couple minutes. It is a lot of work.
Form/Stamina first, power second. It will save you a lot of pain if you remember that.
sounds like you've done this before... any thoughts on a training DVD or something like that? I have ZERO clue what I am doing...
It was one of my regiments in baseball to strengthen the wrists for hitting and pitching.
It will prevent you from hurting yourself on a heavy bag.
Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy cigars and that's close enough.
What? I was thinking about children, not her.
I personally don't like wraps for the exact opposite reason Marker suggested getting them (sorry, Marker). I have a good friend and student who always wraps and has been complaining that his wrists have been sore. He's learned to hit hard and rely on the wraps for support, rather than build proper form and wrist strength. Focus on hitting with your first two knuckles - make a straight line from your index and middle finger to your elbow. Your ring and pinky fingers cannot make that line and the knuckles are more susceptible to injury. Perfect your form in punching and you won't have to rely on wraps. Hell, you won't even need gloves.
Unless you're going to be really serious about this, a cheaper setup should be fine. Everlast has been around forever, they're comfortable and they're reliable. go with what works.
Form over all. Watch as many instructional videos as possible. Consider taking private lessons just to get the basics down. Practice in a mirror to watch your form. Remember this: All of your power is generated from the waist down. I teach guys all the time: Throw with your hips. Plant your feet and use your hips to throw your power punches like you're throwing a shot put. Keep your arms and shoulders relaxed, you won't develop any real power with them and you'll tire yourself out quickly.
Use footwork and angles - throw combos and cover up. Footwork doesn't mean "bounce around a lot." Again, watch pro boxers and how their feet and legs move. Watch their stance, their hips, their shoulders, their hands.
My buddy, Mark hitting pads:
and go check him out in the new Kevin James movie: Here Comes the Boom
Don't just swing for the fences. It's a common beginner's mistake. Take your time to develop your technique. Watch people who know what they're doing and you'll see they still practice very slow and calm, no effort, no power.
As for your set-up and the gloves, stick with it for now. Even if the gloves feel stiff, they should break in. I still have the same 16oz gloves (I like the heavier gloves for the added weight) that I started with 7 years ago and they're still in tact.
Oh, and another tip: Use a glove dryer or at least sneaker balls. Those gloves will start to stank after a little while if they aren't dried properly. You can use rice or newspaper in a muslin bag or nylon bag to help absorb the moisture if you don't want to invest in a glove/boot dryer.