Post: #176

Ringside, Title, Windy, Twins, Fairtex, Everlast, Boon, Grant, Top King, whatever is going to be just fine for now.

I'd say don't buy Winning, as I already said, because no one likes the newbie who shows up decked out in top end gear. It'll make you a target, and at the very least, the butt of quite a few jokes.

But CrashBang is right, you're over thinking it. Windy is a fine brand. $20 is a hell of a deal.

Post: #177

Due to my hectic schedule I'm having a problem making it to the kickboxing gym in time.

I'm thinking about getting a heavy bag.
What can you guys recommend me to buy?
I'm about 170 pounds and I have plenty of room for hanging up a bag.
How heavy should it be? Material?
The place where I will have it is not heated, which means the material need to survive Arctic climate.
I think I can find some good stuff online, but what do you fill these bags with?

I know hitting a bag is not even comparable to sparring or real boxing training.
I'm more looking at it as a fun way of getting a decent workout.

Post: #178

(10-03-2014 02:50 AM)Chaos Wrote:  What can you guys recommend me to buy?

Maybe, you can make one..

Post: #179

Didn't even see that.

But, I just made one anyway.
1 hour of work.
Cost :0$

Welcome to my private Ghetto Gym!

   

Post: #180

that's a real dope setup you got there chaos. add in a speed bag mount, double end bag, an olympic barbell, and some big ass speakers... throw on some old school soul, salsa, and gangsta rap and you have a perfect mini boxing gym.

Post: #181

Biggest downside to boxing so far-too easy to get obsessed with.

I think my body has adapted to the new training and movements. Punch output is way up and not getting sore in weird places anymore.

I'm thinking about adding in weight work 2x per week. What I'm thinking for now is basing my lifting on Stronglifts but only 2x/week and not 3, and replacing one squatting day with front squats. That lines up pretty well with some of what The Chef recommended earlier in the thread.

Then of course turning that strength into explosiveness with all the usual gym training plus explosive body weight plyometric workouts.

Anyone have any ab-isolation workouts they like? I want to be a beast when it comes to taking body shots. Thinking weighted decline sit-ups and hanging leg raises or something.

Post: #182

This may be a long post. If I come off as a prick in any part of this, I apologize. I am just venting off my experience this morning.

So the tl;dr sparred for the first time, wild experience. Lost control beat the crap out of someone, feel pretty shitty at the moment. Sparred another dude, exhausted, dropped hands caught a strong left hook at the bell. But have been sort of pondering it all since it ended a couple of hours ago. Also, any suggestions on how to deal with a stiff neck, preventative stuff I can do? Not sure what I will feel like tomorrow.

This morning when I woke up I had a peaceful eagerness. I put on shorts that didn't go over the knees to inhibit any movement, picked a smaller shirt than my sweaty work out shirts that seem to slow me down with all the built up sweat and crap. My shoes came in. I was able to get them for like 30% of new price and in great shape. Maybe it was psychological but I felt faster in them, not in the clunkers I have been wearing. Just mental I guess. I have been cleaning my headgear constantly (still a little smell). Wipes, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and fabreeze. I mean you could eat off of it. I felt ready. My new mouthguard isn't here but I used a boil one. I mean this was going to be beginning sparring, right?

Nope, apparently my trainer's technique is to the throw the guys in the pool and see who drowns.

There were 3 of us and I didn't get the word to get the groin protectors. So I got the one that was too small and had to be wrapped in duct tape to stay on me! LOL. No biggie. Funny to me.

When I got into the ring, we did the friendly touch gloves thing. I was cautious so he was throwing punches first (apparently he had sparred 7 times). I was doing my best to defend. But then he punched me in the face, I understand this happens, not trying to be a bitch. But I snapped. It tapped all my controlled anger. I was like, "Fuck It."

I beat on him badly. Knocked him down. Realized I was losing it and said I was sorry. My coach was like "You don't say sorry!" But now my opponent was mad, I don't blame him, I would be mad and trying to get even. So he starting hitting harder. I got pissed and beat him down and hit the ground again. And I said, I was sorry. I wasn't in control of my adrenaline. I was landing some serious headshots. In the second round, I eased off. He got more shots in, I just was focusing on protecting the head. I didn't mind the body shots he was giving me. I didn't knock him down in the second round. I did push him around a bit but I wasn't trying to kill him. When it was over I apologized again and my coach said, "you're supposed to box not kill the guy." I sort of asked myself, why didn't he stop it? He just let it go.

I stepped out for a couple of rounds, my first opponent stayed to fight the next guy. I then went back in and it was different, I was pretty tired by the 4th round (2 rounds and 2 rounds). The adrenaline disappeared while I was on my break. I also knew this guy, he is cool so we just tried to do body stuff. I mean we did occasional punches to the face but it was boxing. In the 4th we both felt like just stopping we were so tired. But we mustered some energy, I got off a combination to the body. But right before the bell he popped me with the left hook. My hands were down and learned a huge lesson.

In reflection:
1) I think it was good for me that he caught me with that hook, I can only imagine how stupid I would be walking around thinking sparring isn't so bad. It was better that I didn't have beginner's luck at the end. I just hope my neck isn't too bad tomorrow.
2) I lost control, my adrenaline took over. I think the fight or flight thing kicked in. I hope I get a better handle on it with experience
3) I felt lucky that sometimes I did things the way I was trained and the muscle memory worked, sometimes it was just an ugly street fight. I need to continue to work on technique.
4) I do feel bad about that 1st round, I know I have posted some things on the forum about random encounter where maybe I wanted to beat the fuck out of someone. But it is still another human being and this person did nothing wrong to me and I snapped. All he did was box me.
5) Being out of control will probably get me fucked up in the ring. I don't want to make it seem like the whole time I lost technique. But some of the assaults I was doing was just throwing punches as fast and as hard as I could. He could have easily thrown an uppercut or hook if he could just gather himself and choose that moment.

Anyway, I was just curious what your first experiences were like. If you ever feel a little regret. You can call me a dick if you want, I sort of feel like I am at the moment. I hope this didn't come off as "wow I'm so awesome." Because I don't feel that way, I feel like I was out of control, got lucky and fortunate only to take one solid shot to the head today. The hit that set me off wasn't even that hard, especially when compared to the hook that landed.

Thanks for your time gentlemen.

Post: #183

Samsamsam.

You're not a dick…you're inexperienced.

Frankly your coach should know better than to let you carry on as you described…if you were one of my students I would have stopped the round for a moment and calmed you down (and your partner…note I say partner not opponent).

In Thailand most Thaiboxers don't really spar at all…they do this thing they call slow or play sparring…essentially everything is done slowly and without power. I do this with my kick boxers when they first start sparring as like a middle ground between pads and sparring. Then when they spar properly I always partner them with experienced guys who teach them rather than fight.

The scenario you described could very easily end up with two guys deciding not to carry on with their training…for different reasons.

As for your gear…try freezing it in your freezer then thawing it out slowly. Usually does the trick completely.

The stiff neck…you'll get used to it.

Post: #184

CBW,

Good call on the word choice opponent vs partner. My bad.

In hindsight, I wish my trainer would have told me to calm down. I can't blame him, I need to own my choices.

I am already thinking about how do I approach this going forward. I have been going 6 days a week and some times twice in a day. I am enjoy many aspects of it including leaning up. But maybe just a few days a week. I don't think I am sparring every day, thank god.

But fuck, what did I do today?

CBW, thanks for the reply. I feel a little raw at the moment and I am so so so grateful that RVF exists to be able to connect with good guys who are just trying to help each do better each day. Many thanks to everyone.

Post: #185

(10-04-2014 04:03 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  But fuck, what did I do today?

It's natural that you're going over this in your head again and again. Because it means so much to you.

Remember though that at the end of the day you are learning a combat sport. A man's combat sport.

I've seen ten times worse than what you describe at my gym on occasions. It happens.

The best bit is that nobody will care…in fact I can promise you that your trainer and anyone else present will probably have forgotten all about it within, oh, 10 seconds. Seriously.

Just make sure you're there tomorrow or whenever your next session is and get back on with it. If your trainer is a good one and has an issue he will just pull you aside for a gentle chat, I hope.

You're over thinking it fella

Post: #186

I have been sparring/training for about 5 years and I have never witnessed this kind of anger. Sometimes guys go hard but I have never seen anybody loosing it like that. And what kind of trainer puts 2 newbies against each other and lets them beat other down, seems strange gym.

Anyway I plan to compete in muay thai in beginning of November, currently im training 4 times a week from which 1 is only sparring. I also run 2 times a week. I currently dont do any weights training but I did a lot of weight training during the summer. I have also lost weight from 97kg to 87kg in 2 months and I plan to fight at 84kg.

Post: #187

evilhei, trust me I have been thinking about it all weekend. Plenty of self-judgement going on. You're well within your rights to ask these questions.

Post: #188

I think Jmideo sounds like the most experienced guy on here, and I agree with his recommendation on gloves. Grant is a great way to go and Everlast is no kind of investment in boxing. I'd also say that, just like Jmideo advises, when you train at your gym, keep an eye out for other gyms and don't be afraid to shop around for the best gym for you, especially if they put up mismatched sparring sessions.

I always weight lift before I box and always have because the weight you lift will be no where near your normal strength level because boxing is insanely taxing. I've never had injury due to weight lifting prior to boxing, but I've only done simple lifts like bench pressing and curls, and I've never gone to the point of complete exertion.

One book I recommend for anyone going out and beginning boxing is Joe Frazier's book Box Like the Pros. He outlined a lot of solid advice for training and fighting, and he even gets into his views on weight lifting for fighting.

Post: #189

I need new gloves. I got some everlast shit. They were fine when I wasn't hitting hard, working on technique. Now that my confidence is growing and I'm starting throw with some real power, these things aren't cutting it.

After only 5 two-minute sessions one knuckle was rubbed raw and I had a large red mark on the webbing inside of my pinky and ring finger. Like a big hickey.

Post: #190

(10-07-2014 11:57 AM)AntiTrace Wrote:  I need new gloves. I got some everlast shit. They were fine when I wasn't hitting hard, working on technique. Now that my confidence is growing and I'm starting throw with some real power, these things aren't cutting it.

After only 5 two-minute sessions one knuckle was rubbed raw and I had a large red mark on the webbing inside of my pinky and ring finger. Like a big hickey.

If you haven't already, get someone to check your handwrap technique.

Post: #191

(10-04-2014 04:03 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  But fuck, what did I do today?

You boxed! It's a violent sport.

Your trainer should have stepped in to stop you from beating up your partner.

Post: #192

(10-07-2014 01:02 PM)viajero Wrote:  

(10-07-2014 11:57 AM)AntiTrace Wrote:  I need new gloves. I got some everlast shit. They were fine when I wasn't hitting hard, working on technique. Now that my confidence is growing and I'm starting throw with some real power, these things aren't cutting it.

After only 5 two-minute sessions one knuckle was rubbed raw and I had a large red mark on the webbing inside of my pinky and ring finger. Like a big hickey.

If you haven't already, get someone to check your handwrap technique.

I havent wrapped my hands yet. I'll grab some wraps and ask a trainer next time

Post: #193

AT, wraps help, some people put additional cushion on top of their hands and wrap the wrap around it. I have started doing that with my right hand. I have seen people use a kitchen sponge and it works fine. Many options.

Post: #194

or just toss the everlast gloves altogether

Post: #195

(10-07-2014 09:20 PM)the chef Wrote:  or just toss the everlast gloves altogether

Yup. They really are terrible.

So many people wear the wrong size gloves too.

Post: #196

yeah I'm ditched the everlast.

these are the gloves that have been fucking up my hand: http://www.amazon.com/Everlast-Advanced-...xing+glove


thinking of ordering these: http://www.amazon.com/Boxing-Leather-Tra...xing+glove
with some wraps.

Post: #197

I like Fairtex gloves and gear in general.

Post: #198

When you are new it is easy to get angry and carried away when sparring. After you've taken more shots to the face you will start to laugh them off as opposed to getting angry. You'll get more calm as you gain some experience.

The problem is that your trainer let it continue. He should have stopped you guys and calmed you down, or put you in with a more experienced boxer to teach you a lesson, without knocking your teeth out.

In Jiu Jitsu if someone comes in and is going crazy one of us more experienced guys will pair up with him and give him some nice elbow love to the temple/eyebrow, or a knee ride for a full round to calm him down and let him know what the real score is.

So really, as guys here already said, your coach wasn't doing his job. It's one thing to let experienced guys beat on each other a bit, but newbies shouldn't be knocking each other down.

Post: #199

(10-08-2014 07:30 AM)AntiTrace Wrote:  yeah I'm ditched the everlast.

these are the gloves that have been fucking up my hand: http://www.amazon.com/Everlast-Advanced-...xing+glove


thinking of ordering these: http://www.amazon.com/Boxing-Leather-Tra...xing+glove
with some wraps.

Title is having a sale.

http://store.titleboxing.com/gloves-bag-gloves.html

Over 75 free shipping. Just a heads up.

Post: #200

pacquiao from 7 years ago. speed/power/fluidity of his combinations are unreal. dude weighed 135 lbs but i bet getting hit with a shovel hook or a straight left would feel like a sledgehammer.