Becoming a Boxer

I want to learn how to box, not competitively but I just want to learn how to box, because it seems like a good workout and it seems like it would help tone my arms. 

Any techniques? 

I have a free standing body bag at home.  You must get hand wraps and training gloves otherwise you can really mess up your hands.

Try and have some structure to your workout.  ie i go on a boxing timer website, set my laptop next to the bag, and set it for 10 x 3 minute rounds with 1 min rest in between.  it even rings a bell at the start/finish of each round.    3 minutes doesnt seem like a lot, but try and make each punch count and soon you will be breathing harder than you could ever imagine and those 1 minute rest periods fly by.

fantastic upper body work out which really tones your arms and shoulders!

Maybe try finding a local beginner boxing class? Then they could teach you the skills you need and you could buy a bag to use at home.

Boxercise is a really good work out that i've heard gives you similar effects to the real thing. Miuns the head injury and early death.

Always a nice bonus avoiding those things!

Agreed! I think boxercise is definitely a good place to start - all the benefits without the bruising!

I went to a couple of classes and you do feel like you get a really good arm workout.

I've always wanted to try boxercise, it's supposed to be a good all-round workout, and quite fun too

I go to Body Combat which is a great class and combine punching and kicking moves. Kind of a combination of marital arts and boxing. It is an excellent work out for your whole body and really fun. I think they run something similar at most leisure centres and gyms.

Ceri

Mum on the Run

This sounds good. I bet it's quite a tough workout?

I've been wanting to try body combat for a while now but the class seems really cliquey at my gym so I'm nervous to give it a go

My gym is the same- it's first come, first in, so I'd be worried about taking up a 'regular's' place!

Tough-s*it if you take a regulars place, you got there first so you're just as entitled as they are if you're paying membership. I remember once doing a pilates class and plonking myself away from the mirrors, a regular kicked off at me for sitting in *her* spot, I just pointed out that the floor didn't have her name on it and that I'd got there first. Then I stared her out when she tried to glare me away.

Boxercise is usually done on a circuit and can be a total killer, body combat is also really good and tends to be very popular. I find that the later 8pm classes are generally a bit quieter in my gyms (I have access to 3 local ones) and that finding a comfortable space is easier. Don't let yourself be put off by any class, if it's a good workout people keep going back for that reason :)

Haha oh dear, as if someone tried to lay claim to a spot on the floor! Did she shout at your for breathing her air as well?

I could feel the dagger stare from across the room, as it happens I didn't bother going back... that particular class wasn't for me. I much prefer to do pilates at home now, at least that way I'm the only snot-faced numpty in the room :) I am quite antisocial though!!

I don't think you can be blamed for feeling antisocial towards a class if you go to it and somebody kicks off at you for "stealing their floor"!

I hate that about classes! People get really possesive, my friend went to Zumba and she got told by a regular that she should move to the back with all of the others who can't dance properly, ouch!

I would have deliberately stood in front of her. (I'm not a horrid person, really! haha). I used to do a lot of exercise classes, it's OK to have a preference for a particular space but it's not OK to be blatently rude to others if they take it, especially if it's their first time and they probably need a bit of encouragement!

I'd be scared to be rude to someone in a gym class, but I do get a bit annoyed when someone has no spacial awareness whatsoever. I end up having to concentrate more on not bumping in to them than the class, which means I can't work out properly! The worst is when someone chooses the spot directly in front of you as they don't know you're there!

Exactly, it's her kind of anti-social attitude that puts some people off going along to classes.