Want to start training, need advice

[deano04]

Hey all,
I am a HUGE mma and boxing fan and I finally decided it was time to get some equipment and train, to learn more and get more involved in the sport, not to actually compete. I live in an apartment, where space is a factor (I can't get a huge free standing heavy bag and speed bag), and I can't get a hanging heavy bag because I don't want to break the place. I am also a student, so getting stuff used would be great- although I will buy new gloves. I was just wondering what you all thought I should get. Specifically, I don't know the differences between gloves- I saw that there are 'professional boxing gloves' and 'training bag gloves' and I don't know if I should get both if I want to work on a speedbag and heavy bag. I also see fighters training with those small round bags that attatch to the floor and ceiling and wanted to know if a beginner should worry about that. Thanks for making it through this long winded post, and thanks in advance for the advice.
:icon_chee

 

[Tone C]

Before you even worry about buying anything,find somewhere to train and someone to teach you.They will advise you what you need.Most gyms have communal equipment that you use.When you decude that you want to keep with it,then you can start buying stuff....

 

[amphibious]

Definitely spend your money on getting professional training... train a bit before you buy gear (I hate communal gear, so... if you know you're going to be dedicated go for it) you need this as a bare minimum:

a pair of wraps (probably 160" or 180" depending on hand size)

a good mouthpiece

a pair of 12oz or 16oz boxing gloves (velcro is most convenient, laces are tighter, but you have to have somebody else do it for you... don't worry if they are for "sparring" or "bag work" they'll work the same either way)

a cup

shorts that don't have pockets

Additionally, when you start to get a little more serious...

a pair of decent grappling/MMA gloves (shooto style, padded gloves)

a rashguard

boxing style headgear

But, as Tone C said... PROFESSIONAL TRAINING! Teaching somebody something as "simple" as punching correctly takes a long time and a lot of fine tuning, you simply aren't going to understand the complexities of MMA by getting a bag and pounding it.

 

[espionage3]

I agree with these guys about the training. But, because you are a student you may not have enough time or money to train. There is a very good pro fighter that started training from home all bye himself with only instuctional DVDs. His name is Mac Danzig. He is definently the exception when it comes to MMA training but, if home training is all you can do then thats all you can do.

I don't know if you are in college or highschool but, if you are in highschool join the wrestling team and if you are in college try to find a Jiu Jitsu, mma, boxing or muay thai clubs to join. These are ways of getting good training for little or no money.

 

[amphibious]

I don't know if you are in college or highschool but, if you are in highschool join the wrestling team and if you are in college try to find a Jiu Jitsu, mma, boxing or muay thai clubs to join. These are ways of getting good training for little or no money.

This is another good lead... you'd be surprised how many colleges have combat sports clubs. Obviously, a lot of schools have wrestling, but in the Boston area I've heard of really good BJJ, Judo, and Sambo clubs at various schools.

Specific to wrestling, there are a lot of people that still want to compete in wrestling after their high school/college careers, so there are a number of free/cheap folkstyle wrestling clubs all over the place. The one in Boston is like $50 for the entire season.

 

[SnowMongoose]

This is another good lead... you'd be surprised how many colleges have combat sports clubs.

Correct!
I'm currently taking a BJJ class at school that put me back 40 bucks for a quarter <hour, twice a week> and am getting lots of mat time with our campus 'grappling club' for an hour and a half three times a week, and that doesn't cost a thing!
(40 bucks a quarter plus gear for almost 7 hours of instruction/rolling a week, hell yeah!)

 

[deano04]

Thanks a lot guys. Just for some more info... I am in college, I go to the university of florida, and I have looked into clubs at the school and have found a judo and a wrestling club. I'll check those out, but boxing, kickboxing, BJJ, and muay thai interest me a lot more than those two. I have also tried looking online for gyms in the area and came up short. That is why I thought if I got some boxing equipment I might be able to practice and watch instructionals and stuff. Plus I have been watching boxing and mma for 6 years or so religiously so I'd like to think I would have an idea of what I'm doing, but I might be wrong.

 

[Bizz]

Before you even worry about buying anything,find somewhere to train and someone to teach you.They will advise you what you need.Most gyms have communal equipment that you use.When you decude that you want to keep with it,then you can start buying stuff....

Exactly what i was going to say

 

[Tone C]

:icon_chee

. Plus I have been watching boxing and mma for 6 years or so religiously so I'd like to think I would have an idea of what I'm doing, but I might be wrong.

I've been watching football(okay,soccer to you Colonials) for 30 years....can't play for shit though.....get the picture?

 

[strange619]

National Collegiate Boxing Association

good place to start if you have one on your campus.

 

[amphibious]

:icon_chee


I've been watching football(okay,soccer to you Colonials) for 30 years....can't play for shit though.....get the picture?

Bingo... you might be able to slap a sloppy triangle or RNC on somebody... or throw a telegraphed chicken wing punch, but without a very very solid base instructionals are always going to lack something.