Overweight and looking to get into shape

Dublinpato

Hello everyone i have a question it might be a bit silly but here it go's, i'am 23 year old male and have joined weight watcher's so i have my healthy eating plan but i wan't to pick up boxing i wan't to train and lose weight and get fit and healthy i wan't to learn how to defend myself but most of all to just get out of the house and do something with my life i wan't to be part of a community, so i am asking do you know if there is a boxing gym that take in people overweight or do you know of any gym's with people in my situation. thanks

walshb

Dublinpato wrote: »

Hello everyone i have a question it might be a bit silly but here it go's, i'am 23 year old male and have joined weight watcher's so i have my healthy eating plan but i wan't to pick up boxing i wan't to train and lose weight and get fit and healthy i wan't to learn how to defend myself but most of all to just get out of the house and do something with my life i wan't to be part of a community, so i am asking do you know if there is a boxing gym that take in people overweight or do you know of any gym's with people in my situation. thanks

Best to just join a regular gym. Boxing clubs should be for boxing and competing in boxing. If a club allows you to train and get fit then that's great for you.

kerinethan

There are plenty of clubs around Ireland that except people overweight to train. I've done kickboxing for 3 years now and when I first joined was severely overweight. No pressure to compete was put on me just turned up and trained. 3 years later I'm in the good shape, i've been in and have competed 3 times and won all three fight. Where are you located?

FTA69

walshb wrote: »

Best to just join a regular gym. Boxing clubs should be for boxing and competing in boxing. If a club allows you to train and get fit then that's great for you.

To be fair the man said he wants to learn self-defence i.e. learn the art of boxing. If he wants to take up the sport proper whether to compete or not then a proper club is definitely the place for him, provided it also caters to beginners.

Pop into a local club and have a chat with one of the coaches OP; chances are they'll have some sort of recreational set up. Bear in mind though, if you want to learn how to fight it's going to be difficult. You're going to have to attend three times a week at least to begin with and it is going to be hell initially. Your legs/back/soul will be aching. You won't be able to complete the warm-up initially. You'll feel like your lungs are on fire and you just want to pack up and go home.

When you get into the ring first time to spar you're going to be frustrated and you will be going home sore. Expect black-eyes, split lips, strained thumbs, pulled shoulders and aching calves. If you can push through this and stick it out you'll never regret it.

I'm out injured with a pulled shoulder at the moment and it's very disheartening. Hopefully you'll get stuck in and get as addicted to it as I am!

cowzerp

Dublinpato wrote: »

Hello everyone i have a question it might be a bit silly but here it go's, i'am 23 year old male and have joined weight watcher's so i have my healthy eating plan but i wan't to pick up boxing i wan't to train and lose weight and get fit and healthy i wan't to learn how to defend myself but most of all to just get out of the house and do something with my life i wan't to be part of a community, so i am asking do you know if there is a boxing gym that take in people overweight or do you know of any gym's with people in my situation. thanks

Where are you based? lot's of clubs's about and hard to advise if location is not known.

walshb

FTA69 wrote: »

To be fair the man said he wants to learn self-defence i.e. learn the art of boxing. If he wants to take up the sport proper whether to compete or not then a proper club is definitely the place for him, provided it also caters to beginners.

Pop into a local club and have a chat with one of the coaches OP; chances are they'll have some sort of recreational set up. Bear in mind though, if you want to learn how to fight it's going to be difficult. You're going to have to attend three times a week at least to begin with and it is going to be hell initially. Your legs/back/soul will be aching. You won't be able to complete the warm-up initially. You'll feel like your lungs are on fire and you just want to pack up and go home.

When you get into the ring first time to spar you're going to be frustrated and you will be going home sore. Expect black-eyes, split lips, strained thumbs, pulled shoulders and aching calves. If you can push through this and stick it out you'll never regret it.

I'm out injured with a pulled shoulder at the moment and it's very disheartening. Hopefully you'll get stuck in and get as addicted to it as I am!

If he wants to join an affiliated/competitive boxing club then he needs to be prepared to box. This I would think should be the case. Other than this scenario he can see what's available. If the affiliated club is okay with him just training and getting fit, so be it. That's their business. It wouldn't be my way.

FTA69

The vast majority of members in my club are only doing it recreationally. I'd say around 5% or less of those on the books actually get into the ring and spar in a meaningful sense and outside of the competitive ABA lads there's myself and around 5 or 6 others who spar 15+ rounds a week and occasionally fight.

The thing is though, the recreational sector of the club brings in the most money which allows them to cater to the competitive stable and the academies of trainee fighters. Things aren't simple to the point you can designate a club for "serious fighters only" these days.

And to be honest that's not necessarily a bad thing either walsh. Many clubs are vital community outlets in areas that often have very little and if coaches are willing to train someone who wants to learn to box/spar etc then that's a better thing than turning someone away because they didn't start as a kid.

walshb

I see your point. Things have changed from my time. I am not against IT as such, just not pro IT!

FTA69

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge9dkMbEeOY

Have a look at this OP, a brief documentary about my club.

omeatheopian

FTA69 wrote: »

The vast majority of members in my club are only doing it recreationally. I'd say around 5% or less of those on the books actually get into the ring and spar in a meaningful sense and outside of the competitive ABA lads there's myself and around 5 or 6 others who spar 15+ rounds a week and occasionally fight.

The thing is though, the recreational sector of the club brings in the most money which allows them to cater to the competitive stable and the academies of trainee fighters. Things aren't simple to the point you can designate a club for "serious fighters only" these days.

And to be honest that's not necessarily a bad thing either walsh. Many clubs are vital community outlets in areas that often have very little and if coaches are willing to train someone who wants to learn to box/spar etc then that's a better thing than turning someone away because they didn't start as a kid.

I wish the coach in the gym I got turned away from last night had your attitude

walshb

omeatheopian wrote: »

I wish the coach in the gym I got turned away from last night had your attitude

Why did you get turned away? What exactly happened?

FTA69

Different clubs offer different things too like. Some places are solely competition orientated, for instance I wouldn't rock up to St Saviour's or Holy Family as a 27 year old man who never boxed before and inquire about boxercise classes. Try and find a club that caters to beginners or recreational participants. Many MMA and Thai Boxing schools are good at taking this approach and are often better for this than the old school boxing clubs in my opinion.

walshb

FTA69 wrote: »

Different clubs offer different things too like. Some places are solely competition orientated, for instance I wouldn't rock up to St Saviour's or Holy Family as a 27 year old man who never boxed before and inquire about boxercise classes. Try and find a club that caters to beginners or recreational participants. Many MMA and Thai Boxing schools are good at taking this approach and are often better for this than the old school boxing clubs in my opinion.

That was my point. True boxing clubs that are purely boxing clubs should be just that. For people who are going to represent the club in a competitive sense. I do see your wider point, though. I agree with it too.

lycan238

I myself am going to visit a club myself next week with the intention of taking up something to loose weight get fitter learn self defence etc. If 'Dublinpato' wants me to I can post here with what i find out.

omeatheopian

walshb wrote: »

Why did you get turned away? What exactly happened?

Went it looking to learn to box and was told that they only take in competitive boxers, and young lads starting out.

Dublinpato

Sorry everyone for the late reply i'am based in Dublin 13 Donaghmede

plus i don't think i will be getting in the ring anytime soon ha

cowzerp

walshb wrote: »

That was my point. True boxing clubs that are purely boxing clubs should be just that. For people who are going to represent the club in a competitive sense. I do see your wider point, though. I agree with it too.

Bren Rent on premises isn't 20 quid a month like years ago, club's and especially new clubs would have huge overheads such as rent, rates, insurance and quite simply would not survive on kids subs without charging them excessive amounts.

Dublinpato wrote: »

Sorry everyone for the late reply i'am based in Dublin 13 Donaghmede

plus i don't think i will be getting in the ring anytime soon ha

We're based in Rush and you're more than welcome to come and train Boxing with us.

Dublinpato

Thank you very much, have you guy's got a website or contact info and how far is it from rush & lusk train station also what am i expected to bring with me on my first visit will i just be introduced to the gym and shown around or would i be starting on day one, sorry for the newbie questions, and how much is the membership, thanks again

cowzerp

Dublinpato wrote: »

Thank you very much, have you guy's got a website or contact info and how far is it from rush & lusk train station also what am i expected to bring with me on my first visit will i just be introduced to the gym and shown around or would i be starting on day one, sorry for the newbie questions, and how much is the membership, thanks again

website is in my signature here bud, all details on that

FTA69

walshb wrote: »

That was my point. True boxing clubs that are purely boxing clubs should be just that. For people who are going to represent the club in a competitive sense.

But you can also do both. My club currently has southern area champions, national novices champions, has had fighters win in the A and B divisions of the Haringey Cup and also has two female national champions as well. It runs a senior academy for boxers over 16 who want to compete as well as a typical junior academy for the youngsters. It also has a class for very small kids (5-10) and a recreational section as well for the white collar types and the keep fit brigade.

Even Repton Boys Club in East London, one of the most hairy-arsed old-school clubs in the city has a recreational section as well. The fact they cater to the wider community doesn't make them any less "true" clubs.

Turning away vast swathes of people who happen to never be exposed to boxing as a kid will just swell the ranks of other clubs that will gladly take their membership. (And their cash.)

walshb

omeatheopian wrote: »

Went it looking to learn to box and was told that they only take in competitive boxers, and young lads starting out.

Well, I see no issue there. I can see their point. I assume you were asked if you would compete? Are you too old to compete officially? They hardly turned you away from just looking at you, unless of course you have a disability that would prevent you from competing.

I also see and understand the other points made by cowzerp and FTA69.

Frank Gallagher pissed

What are boxercise classes anyway, I seen some locally.Seems they are attended by older people mostly??

FTA69

Skipping and circuits etc. I go to the ones in my club once a week. It's good for conditioning.

omeatheopian

walshb wrote: »

Well, I see no issue there. I can see their point. I assume you were asked if you would compete? Are you too old to compete officially? They hardly turned you away from just looking at you, unless of course you have a disability that would prevent you from competing.

I also see and understand the other points made by cowzerp and FTA69.

I'm not a competitive boxer, nor am I a young lad! I wasn't asked if I would compete.

walshb

omeatheopian wrote: »

I'm not a competitive boxer, nor am I a young lad! I wasn't asked if I would compete.

So, very little information given as to why they may have refused you. I can only take an educated guess that you were in their minds not going to ever box for their club, hence they weren't accepting you. To use an example: a 50 year old man goes to a boxing club to join, he won't be competing, hence the trainers may well say "no thanks."

alphamule

walshb wrote: »

Best to just join a regular gym. Boxing clubs should be for boxing and competing in boxing. If a club allows you to train and get fit then that's great for you.

Please dont follow this post op, a boxing club you in shape quicker than going to a gym. I believe you would enjoy it more also.

Dont rule out kickboxing, mma etc. Equally good.

alphamule

walshb wrote: »

If he wants to join an affiliated/competitive boxing club then he needs to be prepared to box. This I would think should be the case. Other than this scenario he can see what's available. If the affiliated club is okay with him just training and getting fit, so be it. That's their business. It wouldn't be my way.

Are you old school or something?

Them days are over! Of course the majority will want to compete but you need to cater for the others too.
If you the sport to survive and adapt you need a new approach ie boxing tutor award in UK.

walshb

alphamule wrote: »

Are you old school or something?

Them days are over! Of course the majority will want to compete but you need to cater for the others too.
If you the sport to survive and adapt you need a new approach ie boxing tutor award in UK.

Why not read over my posts and you will clearly see that I see and understand the other points. I agree with them too. I have said this in the posts. I know times have changed. I also know that there are still affiliated clubs that compete and that will be reluctant to allow persons use their facilities to get fit. That is their right.

alphamule

walshb wrote: »

Why not read over my posts and you will clearly see that I see and understand the other points. I agree with them too. I have said this in the posts. I know times have changed. I also know that there are still affiliated clubs that compete and that will be reluctant to allow persons use their facilities to get fit. That is their right.

They will be the gym that you would probably want to avoid so.

Probably make you spar on the first night.

walshb

alphamule wrote: »

They will be the gym that you would probably want to avoid so.

Probably make you spar on the first night.

No, not at all. It's not a gym. It's a boxing club. I know of no competitive club that would have a begineer spar on night 1/2/3 even. Again, I have no major issue with a boxing club accepting in folks that may not be competing. Cash is needed in these days. As long as the boxers aren't compromised I guess it's ok. Ideally if I was running a club it would be for competitive boxers only. I know that this may not be achievable.

FTA69

Some clubs are solely competition orientated and will provide a home for fighters who need to be taken to the next level so to speak. Even at my own club there are coaches I've never even spoken to due to the fact they spend all their time with the competitive lads. That's fair enough too like. Horses for courses and all of that jazz.

omeatheopian

walshb wrote: »

So, very little information given as to why they may have refused you. I can only take an educated guess that you were in their minds not going to ever box for their club, hence they weren't accepting you. To use an example: a 50 year old man goes to a boxing club to join, he won't be competing, hence the trainers may well say "no thanks."

I've not boxed before, but wouldn't mind learning to. Do I want to box competitively? How am I supposed to answer that honestly when I have never boxed before. Like I said, I wouldn't have minded learning, but was not something this club were willing to cater for. I'm early 30's and fit and active, so I doubt they would have been able to deduce from looking at me that I would never box for their club!

Call Me Jimmy

Not sure if you said your location but Rush Fight Academy in... Rush. (North Co. Dublin) seem to be very receptive to the type of involvement you're looking for. In fact it may be their main function. Not 100% sure, but they definitely take beginners for Boxing and two other martial arts disciplines I think.

If you are anywhere near it I would say that would be a good bet!

FTA69

omeatheopian wrote: »

I've not boxed before, but wouldn't mind learning to. Do I want to box competitively? How am I supposed to answer that honestly when I have never boxed before. Like I said, I wouldn't have minded learning, but was not something this club were willing to cater for. I'm early 30's and fit and active, so I doubt they would have been able to deduce from looking at me that I would never box for their club!

You may well be able to go on to do a few white-collar fights but you'd never be able to compete in ABA sanctioned bouts due to your age and their whole structure is obviously geared toward that specifically. Don't lose heart though and look around for a club that takes beginners.

walshb

omeatheopian wrote: »

I've not boxed before, but wouldn't mind learning to. Do I want to box competitively? How am I supposed to answer that honestly when I have never boxed before. Like I said, I wouldn't have minded learning, but was not something this club were willing to cater for. I'm early 30's and fit and active, so I doubt they would have been able to deduce from looking at me that I would never box for their club!

As mentioned by FTA69, if that club are IABA affiliated and competing in IABA tournaments then they deduced that you weren't needed. Now, allowing you access to their facilities with this knowledge is their call. They made that call based on their set up. Nothing wrong there. Not saying that you think there's something wrong.

walshb

omeatheopian wrote: »

. Do I want to box competitively? How am I supposed to answer that honestly when I have never boxed before. !

Typical or possible scenario/example:

Assuming someone is of age to box competitively, and they allow that someone to begin in the club and train and get to a certain standard, then within a few weeks or months they would request an answer to the question: "Are you going to box for the club?" You are willing or aren't willing. Yes/no. They will then make a decision on your place in their club and set up.

Call Me Jimmy

Out of interest, can someone aged 26 get involved and box as an amateur but competitively? I should say, realistically - assuming commitment, motivation and will to do so?

FTA69

Call Me Jimmy wrote: »

Out of interest, can someone aged 26 get involved and box as an amateur but competitively? I should say, realistically - assuming commitment, motivation and will to do so?

Technically possible you could get into the novices but unless you're some sort of prodigy I doubt you'd get very far. Your late-teens is probably the latest you could get into it, using Anthony Joshua as an example, and even that's very rare.

omeatheopian

walshb wrote: »

As mentioned by FTA69, if that club are IABA affiliated and competing in IABA tournaments then they deduced that you weren't needed. Now, allowing you access to their facilities with this knowledge is their call. They made that call based on their set up. Nothing wrong there. Not saying that you think there's something wrong.

Hardly any need to mention every time you reply that there is nothing wrong then is there:) I was just a bit disappointed that my circumstances excluded me from this club, as it's not something I've experienced before. As I said in the initial post, it would have suited me better if the coach had FTA69's attitude or outlook.
I'll have a look around and find somewhere more inclusive. No big deal, or major deterrent