How to Start Boxing: Your Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Training, Gear, and Finding the Right Gym

Boxing has become one of the biggest sports around the world. Even if you’re not gearing up for a head-to-head match anytime soon, the advantages of boxing are valuable for fighters of every level.

However, learning how to start boxing can feel intimidating. This blog is for those new to the boxing world and want to know the basics of where to begin. 

We’ll start with the benefits, and how to choose the right gym and boxing gear for beginners that will set you up for success. Then, we’ll provide an introduction to fundamental boxing skills and techniques to learn before the first session. 

Read on for the ultimate beginner’s guide to boxing to help you feel better prepared. Keep in mind everyone starts as a novice, and progress comes with consistent effort and proper guidance. 

Let’s begin!

Embracing the Holistic Benefits of Boxing

Kids and adults alike can benefit from boxing to help gain strength, confidence, and discipline. Don’t be deterred by common self-limiting beliefs of thinking you’re not in good enough shape or that boxing is for aggressive people only. 

The beauty of boxing is it can be adapted for people of all fitness levels. Whether your goal is to stay active, fight competitively, or simply have fun while working out, boxing covers it all. Here are some of the advantages:

Physical Benefits

Boxing is a full-body cardio workout that helps to improve heart health, strength, speed, agility, coordination, and endurance. Boxing training also allows you to transition between low-impact and high-impact exercises and drills to align with your capabilities.

Mental Benefits

Cardio exercise already promotes endorphins in the body which helps to alleviate stress. However, boxing also encourages confidence, discipline, and strategic thinking which is beneficial in all aspects of life, even beyond the gym.

Self-Defense Skills

Boxing originally was taught as a self-defense practice with simple movements to evade attacks and stay protected. Though the sport has since evolved, it still holds strongly to its original roots.

Navigating Your First Steps into the World of Boxing

Taking the first step can feel the hardest when learning how to start boxing. The good news is that even though boxing requires an individual effort, the boxing world encompasses a large community. 

Rest assured you’ll fit in with fighters who are on the same level as you, so you can learn to box and level up together. 

Here’s a look at where your journey will begin. From finding the right boxing gym to securing the best boxing equipment, we have a step-by-step path to keep you moving forward.

Finding Your Boxing Home: Choosing the Right Gym

Some boxing gyms are designed specifically to train competitive athletes while others offer a mix of both boxing for beginners and professional training with a variety of classes to meet the needs of all levels.

Regardless, choosing the right gym is essential to have access to a structured training environment complete with a community of support and expert coaching. To correctly learn boxing basics, it’s best to have trainers who can show you proper form and technique.

When researching the best gym for you, consider these factors:

Location: Conveniently accessible to your home or workplace. Make it easy to stay consistent with your workouts by searching for “boxing gyms near me” to find one close by.

Expertise: Pick a gym with coaches with experience training beginners and a focus on technique and safety.

Atmosphere: Seek out a welcoming and inclusive environment, catering to all skill levels. Schedule a visit to several gyms to experience which ones click for you (and which don’t).

Class Variety: Check out the availability of classes for beginners, sparring opportunities, and fitness-focused sessions to ensure the schedule aligns with yours.

Cost: Many gyms offer trial memberships or class-based fees. Pricing should be transparent without hidden costs for equipment use or gear rentals.

After you’ve begun narrowing down your choices based on the above criteria, read online reviews. 

• What do people like/dislike about the gym?
• Does the gym have a good neighborhood reputation? 
• Is it clean with up-to-date equipment? 

Before you make your final decision, schedule a trial class or a gym tour to get a feel for the atmosphere and coaches. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about classes and memberships or anything else that will make you feel more comfortable about your attendance.

Gearing Up for Success: Essential Boxing Equipment

For your safety and protection, there are boxing equipment must-haves you need when getting started. These include boxing gloves, hand wraps, and workout clothes. 

Many gyms will supply boxing gloves and hand wraps as part of your membership and will instruct you on how to wrap your hands and take care of your gloves.

Boxing Gloves

Boxing involves continuous punching with a bag or mitt. Therefore, it’s essential to cushion your hands to prevent injury.

Boxing gloves are available in different weights, sizes, and styles. Choose what’s appropriate for your skill level.

Too big or too heavy could cause injury while too small or light may not be ample protection. In general, beginners should start with lighter-weight gloves as they build strength and hone their skills.

Hand Wraps

Prior to slipping on boxing gloves, it’s essential to wrap the hands to support your wrists and knuckles, preventing injuries. Hand wraps also help keep a tight fist which is important as you punch.

Workout Clothes

Wear comfortable, breathable attire that allows for a full range of motion. However, avoid any clothing that’s too baggy or loose as it can be distracting and inhibit your punching performance.

Then, as you elevate your boxing workouts, some nice-to-have gear includes mouthguards and boxing shoes. 

A mouthguard is particularly helpful once you start partner sparring to protect your teeth from impact. Meanwhile, boxing shoes are specially designed to provide maximum ankle support and superior traction to support quick footwork.

Mastering the Fundamentals: Boxing Basics

Once you’ve chosen the ideal gym and the right boxing gear, it’s time for your first session. Your instructor will guide you through the basic movements as you work on form and function before working on speed and power. 

To help you feel more comfortable getting started, here are a few boxing fundamentals to know:

Boxing Stance: It’s important to have proper foot placement and weight distribution to stay agile and prevent injury. Keep feet hip-distance apart with hands and arms up to protect the face when not throwing a punch.

Basic Punches: Boxing involves four key punches: jab, cross, hook, and uppercut. Learning the correct form for each punch is crucial to achieve power and accuracy. Start slowly to get the feel for each punch before expanding into combinations.

Defensive Movements: Slipping, bobbing, weaving, blocking, and parrying are essential for avoiding punches and creating counterattack opportunities. Even when bag training, you can practice these movements at your own pace before working up to spar against a partner.

Footwork: Shuffles, pivots, and lateral movements are all part of footwork positioning that helps to evade attacks, and set up your own punches.

In addition to group classes and private lessons, it’s valuable to supplement your gym sessions at home with shadowboxing, jump rope drills, heavy bag work (if you have one), and bodyweight exercises to improve strength and conditioning.

Make sure to warm up and cool down to prevent injuries and maximize performance before and after your workouts. Also, complement your boxing training with good hydration and nutrition. 

Lastly, take rest days to allow your muscles to repair between workouts. It’s great to be eager to go all out at the gym, but going too hard too fast can lead to injury and burnout.

Hayabusa: Equipping You for Boxing Success

At Hayabusa, we offer award-winning boxing equipment and gear you need to feel like a champion boxer. Investing in quality equipment enhances your safety and performance, while also keeping you in style.

T3 Boxing Gloves Training Kit

Keep things simple with the Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves Training Kit which has all the essentials in one bundle. The kit comes with Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves, Perfect Stretch Hand Wraps, and Hayabusa Glove Deodorizer to prepare you for your first fight.

The boxing gloves are world-renowned for their splinted support for the perfect wrist alignment. Plus, the exclusive, multi-layered technology and dual-X interlocking wrist straps offer the ultimate in knuckle protection and comfort. 

Time to Embark on Your Boxing Journey

To receive the full benefits of this transformative sport, take time to research the right gym for you, choose the best boxing equipment for your needs, and stay consistent with training.

When learning how to start boxing, set your own pace, have fun, and enjoy the journey. 

Ready to unleash your inner fighter? Explore Hayabusa's boxing gear collection and find the perfect equipment to kickstart your journey. Remember, every champion was once a beginner – take that first step into the ring today!