TKD Guy Just Tried Boxing for the First Time

[CTTKDKing]

Yeah, so today I went and visited a local boxing gym. I've been doing 3-4 TKD classes a week for about a year after about 3.5 years off and a lot of weight gain. Since I've been back in TKD classes I've lost about 70 pounds so far and still have a way to go but I'm feeling great.

Anywho, I have been wanting to mix it up a little as I know TKD is a bit limiting even in the best of schools, which I believe mine is one of (good balance of striking, kicking, and real world self defense techniques). I've been searching in my area and there's some kung fu, and karate schools which didn't really do it for me. I did come across a site on the internet for a place called bare bones boxing. I decided this was a good place to go check out after reading up on their policies and whatnot on their site. I wanted to do something to help improve my fitness level and improve my hand striking skills.

I saw that they offer 3 free trial classes before they have you sign up so you can try it out and I have to tell you I got my butt kicked today. I thought that I was getting in decent cardiovascular shape with my TKD training but I almost puked in the second half hour of the session at the boxing gym this afternoon. This was probably one of the most intense workouts I've had in years so I'm thinking 2 boxing classes, 2 regular TKD classes and then my 1 full contact sparring class per week to help me lose the rest of the weight and round me out skill set wise. I'm also on a fairly strict eating plan, as I want to be competitive by the holidays I was wondering if you guys thought that this is enough or if you think I should change anything? Any advice and or feedback is welcome.

[datguy]

I don't have much experience but First of all I give you kudos for getting into shape. To me it sounds as though you're doing a good job but you don't want to push too hard too soon as it is easy to injure oneself.

[CTTKDKing]

Thanks for the input. My wife suprised me with a mountain bike as a grad from college present, so i actually put the boxing on hold until the winter months when i cannot bike. Mountain biking is something ive wanted to get into for a while now and im finding its just as hard cardio wise as the boxing workouts. I need more straight cardio in my workout anyway so this is perfect. I still plan on getting competative this winter. So glad to have the time to dedicate to it again now that my time in college is over.

[Liver Punch]

When getting the crap kicked out of me after a layoff, I try to stay calm...being on edge while getting pummeled is exhausting

[bushido_man96]

So have you put the Boxing on hold then? I think it would be great to experience training in a Boxing gym; the bag work, the mitt work, and the conditioning would probably kill me, for sure. But, I think it would be a blast!

[CTTKDKing]

Temporarily. Im actually going to do that this winter when biking is no longer doable due to the cold/snow.

Im also thinking of checking out an mma gym a buddy of mine found a couple towns over. He's been training there for a few weeks now himself, and loves it. Boxing was not my only option but its close by, cheap and requires no contract. This mma gym is set up with a similar pricing/requirements structure but is a bit longer of a drive. Nice to have choices.

[bushido_man96]

Yes, choices and options are nice to have. Good luck when competition time rolls around, and keep us posted on all that.

[Lee M]

Boxing is an awesome workout - you'll also be bringing serious heat to your TKD bouts with these skills.

I would add a circuit or some weights in between this will give you better balance and faster progress in buring fat and building lean muscle.