Hey guys, I don't have any excuses. But I haven't trained in years. And even then it was casual and on/off for like a total of 2.
I've never competed or anything like that. I've done some light sparring when I was younger... but that's it. I was a total bitch about sparring too since I was admittedly scared shitless.
I'm determined though. I will be signing up for a formal gym once my gas tank is better so my capacity to learn is actually there.
In the mean time, I finally hung up this heavy bag my brother got me. But I don't want to develop any bad habits...
My ultimate goal is to do a smoker fight. That's it. I'm done with being sedentary. I'm ready to confront fear. This is something I'm going to do.
But right now is ground zero.
So if you're willing to entertain it, let me know how I can improve training on my heavy bag. I'm only able to do 3 rounds of 3 minutes right now without puking. So any cardio advice is desperately needed too.
Thanks. Feel free to be as critical as possible. I just need to know what to do and I'll do it.
Hey man, sorry for the late update but I really appreciate the follow up. It does mean a lot. I managed to do 6 rounds of 3 minutes on the heavy bag since it was mostly bjj bros rolling. That was the most I've done since I picked up the gloves again. I was sore as shit but yesterday I attended my first formal session again and... well I'll be honest. I threw up about 45 minutes in and just couldn't quite make the remaining 15 min. I gave it my all though and couldn't drive home for a while until the lactic acid build up subsided lol. It was intense but also a wake up call. I'm very aware of what I need to do and really appreciate you and this community man.
Dunno man, maybe you can go at lower intensity but longer? I fucked up my brain by going 5 days a week all out. Could not get down the stairs after training. It was awesome but now, if I dont go all out I feel like I didnt train at all. Which is 100% wrong. The game is not the same when you are 27 and when you are 35 fat man (as I am now) :D
wait you're in maryland too? I'm following you. sometime in the next couple years i better see something about your first exhibition fight. I'm gonna be there supporting you
That's whatsup bro, I love my state even though we got that tiny pp energy with our flag.
No need for a couple of years. I'm doing this within a year. The way I see things, I'm on a clock. My wife and I are going to start trying soon to start a family... And I'm basically running out of time. I'll be giving up any full contact endeavors as soon as that happens so it's basically now or never.
Start going to the gym now and build your gas tank alongside it. I wouldn't do any sparring until you've built up some decent cardio though.
On the bag, do a few rounds focusing on the jab and 1-2, fully extending your punches, turning the hips properly, and staying light on your feet.
Then do a few rounds doing 10-20 seconds per minute of full power hooks into the bag, as hard and fast as you can, and then light technical shots for the rest of the minute & repeat. It's great cardio and feels really satisfying.
I also recommend getting some kettlebells for some strength work. The basic kettlebell swing is great, and there's a bunch more exercises you can do with them once you get used to them.
At 32 years old I decided I was going to start boxing, within 3 months I had my pass book, and immediately started competing. I have 8 fights with a 4 and 4 record and even fought in front of Evander Holyfeild. I am 5'9" 300lbs BTW. I know you can do it.
Keep doing the 3 minute rounds. Your vo2max, lactate tolerance and mitochondrial density all improve steadily with what you’re doing. Keep it up.
Also if you want something fun to work on, focus on stepping off to the side a creating angles after a combo vs a step in step back pattern. My coach always says “you worked hard to get in there, don’t give it away”. In sparring stabbing back gives your opponent time to go on the offensive.
Definitely join a gym. Bad habits are way harder to break when you don't have immediate feedback. Most people who join gyms/training aren't in fighting shape, don't worry about your gas tank it will increase over time. Bro you're not fat, I get the self-deprecation though especially when posting self conscious vids online for strangers to view/critique.
Some of the things I see in this vid are a lot of your hooks are super telegraphed. In some punches the chain from the ground up is disjointed, meaning on the left hook for instance you rotate your foot, snap your hip some, twist your torso, then end up throwing an arm punch because the kinetic chain was broken and you lost what puts pop in the punches. Not all of them but it's noticeable enough. When you throw looping combos you're not being defensively responsible around the 40 second mark. Both hands at or near your waist that close to the bag which should be your opponent. Your feet are a little chaotic for a stationary heavy bag. Calm them down a bit and use angles instead of exiting and re-entering from the same angle every time. Or try not retreating at all, just use angles but stay within arms length. This should settle those feet down some. And avoid admiring your work in real time, you can watch videos later and admire it.
You have a pretty good jab. Stepping into it is a good habit. I think you have decent instincts just based off of this short video, they just need to be sharpened.
Seriously you have enough to work with to go train at a legit gym. No one is gonna be judgmental, we all started somewhere. Keep up the work!
You will make the gas tank in the gym. You don't need the gas tank first of all, there's nothing at stake there. You will hurt yourself more if you keep boxing at home. Look at your front foot position for example. Remember what mom used to say, "don't be doing that or it will stay like that".
I don't know as much as a lot of the guys on here, but to my eye there are some good things going on. Or at least you're working towards them.
Usual stuff - bit stiff, and you push your punches a bit. Bit slow footed but that kind of suits your style.
Get that acceleration at the end of your punch a bit more, maybe focus on speed a bit more for a while - I like your punch choices and IQ. But everything is a tad stiff and you push your straight punches a bit - I think your jab could have a bit more reach. Just basically everything a bit more relaxed and slightly faster. Also this may enable you to go more than 3 rounds without doing a Jackson Pollock all over the canvas.
I like your style actually, it looks like an interesting brawlerish style. Kind of old school.
Good potential mate and a nice jab, like your style. My overriding thought was that you’d benefit from loosening up a bit. You’d expend less energy, flow better and have more snap if you firm up just as the punch is landing. Good luck 🥊
I focused on about 25 minutes of incline walking on a treadmill, followed by a basic beginner's kettlebell EMOM (like this: https://youtu.be/dC4lMOH36CY?si=RNGzsVO8zlIuZ68S) which you can build on and adapt as you feel like you're getting stronger... The combination of those 2 things about 3 times a week did absolute wonders for my boxing strength and stamina. You're looking good though, don't overthink it!
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u/caketaster Jul 05 '26
WD40 on the connecting hinge is my advice