You’ve signed up for your first boxing class because you heard it was the best way to lose weight, get in shape, and burn fat; all while kicking some butt!. But here it is–the night before the first session and you have no idea what to expect, and you’re nervous.
When taking a boxing class, you should arrive early to get set up and comfortable before it begins. You should also wear form-fitting, comfortable clothes that you can move in for a full workout. Boxing requires focus, so know that your first class will center around that goal.
Before you go to your first boxing class, read on so that you’re fully prepared when you show up for class.
1. Get to Class Early.
First things first–get to class at least ten minutes early so you can get set up and comfortable with the new space. You don’t want to rush in two minutes before the class starts and rush through the class. Boxing requires your full attention, but if your mind is elsewhere during the course, you won’t be focused on learning the moves and techniques.
You will also want to have time to wrap your hands before getting started. The instructor can run through the basic moves with you before class if you are new to boxing.
2. Don’t Have a Full Meal Before Class.
Don’t work out on a full stomach, as that can restrict blood flow to your muscles, which keeps you from being as powerful as possible. If you must eat something, try having a piece of fruit or toast before going to class. It is light, and the sugar rush might help fuel your workout better.
3. Form-Fitting Clothes Are Best.
You don’t want to wear baggy, ill-fitting clothes to boxing class, as they could get in the way of moving or you could trip on them, or you could be pulled down while sparring in the ring. You want to have freedom of movement, but you don’t want your clothing to get in the way of moving.
The best clothing to wear is that which moves with you, such as leggings or bike shorts, and a form-fitting t-shirt or tank top.
4. Wear Cross-Trainers Instead of Running Shoes.
Running shoes don’t give your feet a lot of support when performing a lot of different moves. It would be best if you had shoes that support your ankles as well as your arches, because of all the footwork involved in boxing. Cross-trainers are designed for different moves, so if you don’t have any, you might want to get a pair.
5. Expect a Full Workout.
Boxing isn’t just throwing a few punches or dodging your opponent’s blows. It is a full-body workout that works every muscle. You’re not just working your arms and upper body–you’re also working your legs and core muscles.
Don’t expect just to be hitting the bag for the entire session, either. You’ll be doing squats, lunges, rounds on the bag, and mountain climbing exercises. Your boxing class will most likely provide a better cardio workout than running on the treadmill.
6. Jumping Rope Is Expected.
Boxing training involves a lot of jumping rope to get and keep your muscles warmed up so you can move better and longer in and out of the ring. But it also works on your eye-hand-feet coordination, endurance, and footwork.
As a kid, you may have gotten stuck in the rope when jumping. Your feet and hands weren’t that coordinated at that point, but as you got older, you more than likely grew out of that. Jumping rope when training is no different, except that you’ll be doing a lot more of it now than you did as a kid.
7. You Won’t Get in the Ring on Day One.
Most likely, you won’t spar with anyone on the first day of class. Since you are new to boxing and don’t know the proper way to throw or receive a punch, sparring on the first day could get you or someone else hurt. Learn the correct form, and then you can get in the ring.
8. Believe It or Not, Boxing Is a Team Sport.
Boxing is seen as a solo sport in many ways, but it is a team sport (coach, assistant, sparring partners, among others). Everyone works to improve each other’s skills; everyone wants each other to succeed. It’s not a solo venture, and you will form bonds in class that you otherwise wouldn’t outside of a boxing class.
9. A Proper Stance Is the First Technique to Learn.
When participating in any sport, you need to have the correct stance to follow through with any necessary moves. It is especially important to have the right posture in boxing, as your weight needs to be centered on your legs and feet. Otherwise, you are more likely to fall or get hurt.
The best stance is to have soft knees and never lock your legs. Having this stance can also help you throw the proper punch. You can expect this lesson to be one of the first lessons to learn when you go to class.
10. Hands Won’t Get Sore With a Proper Punching Technique.
Most people think that your hands will get sore from hitting things during the entire class. But if you punch using your upper body and arms, your hands will not get hurt during (or after) the class. Every other part of your body will be sore the next day, but if you have the right punching technique, you shouldn’t get sore hands.
11. Boxing Requires Focus.
When in the boxing ring, you’re going to need focus and multitasking skills. You need to know where your feet are while at the same time, know where your opponents’ fists are, and deliver your punches at the same time.
It may feel overwhelming at first, but if you bring your focus to your first boxing class, you should be fine.
12. Triple-Knot Your Sneakers.
Even the tightest knots in your sneakers can come undone while jumping rope. So the experts say that you should triple-knot your sneakers so that you won’t trip over your laces later in the class. Some class instructors will impose a 50-pushup consequence if their students’ laces come undone.
If you’re in the ring during a match and your laces come untied, you don’t have the luxury of bending down to tie them.
13. Buy Your Own Hand Wraps and Rent the Gloves
Hand wraps are best if they are your own, to begin with, as they get sweaty and nasty during a workout. You will need to buy your hand wraps, but you may be able to rent gloves from the studio that hosts the boxing classes.
Check with the studio before the first day of class, so you’re not the only one without boxing gloves. You could buy your own as well, but that may be an unnecessary expense. The instructors or the studio personnel should tell you what you need when you sign up for the class.
All Things Considered
Boxing can be a great way to work out your body, give you a boost of confidence, and help you be the best person you can be; as long as you give the class a chance, and do not think that you have to do everything right the minute you step in the door.
When you show up for your first day, don’t be afraid to ask questions or admit you’re overwhelmed with all the new moves and information. Most people are overwhelmed at first, so take it one step at a time. You’re not going to do everything correctly at first, so drop any high expectations you have at the door before entering.