Training in boxing is a fantastic way to keep fit, lose weight and burn a lot of calories. It is becoming more popular with the general public and more boxing clubs are coming round to the idea of having regular daily and weekly training sessions. These training sessions usually consists of a light warm up and stretching exercises to reduce the risk of pulling muscles, a few minutes of skipping or aerobic exercises, a few rounds on the punch bags, focus pad work, where you learn and practice all the punches and combinations used in boxing and also floor exercises such as, sit ups, press ups, squats, star jumps and many more, these sessions usually last for an hour and are open to all ages, male or female.

Once you have advanced from one of these basic training sessions and your fitness levels have increased, there would be an opportunity to do some sparring in the boxing ring, this would be light contact to the body only and will help increase your fitness, strength and stamina, the boxing coach will let you know if you are ready for this step up.

Always make sure you have a check up and go ahead from your doctor before taking on any intense training sessions.

Which type of gloves do I need?

You will need a pair of boxing gloves or bag mitts. Bag mitts are lighter and have less padding than boxing gloves and they usually come in sizes, small, medium or large. Boxing gloves have more padding and are sized by ounces, if you have small hands, 10oz gloves would do, 12oz gloves for medium sized hands and 14oz for larger sized hands. Children’s gloves are 6oz and 8oz. It is also recommended that you wear hand wraps under your gloves to help protect your knuckles and wrist.

Leather gloves or artificial leather?

This really depends on your budget and how often you intend to train. Leather gloves are more expensive but will last longer.

Most boxing gyms will have some spare gloves you can use but it is highly recommended that you get your own pair.

Which skipping rope?

A PVC speed rope would be O.K to start with, these ropes come in sizes 8ft, 9ft, 10ft. a 10ft rope would be suitable for someone over 6ft 2", a 9ft rope for someone between 5ft 6" and 6 ft 2" and the 8ft rope would suit somebody between 5ft 2" and 5ft 6".

Finally, train hard and regularly!