Anyone familiar with boxing? RE: young teen

[cjcouple]

My 13yo has been begging, I mean begging to start boxing for months now. My immediate response was NO FUCKING WAY. lol

I truthfully am freaked out at the whole idea/sport. But this interest is NOT going away. I don't really know anything about boxing either so I just keep picturing his face all beat up.

I can't really afford lessons right now anyway but I am considering getting some things for the house and allowing independent workouts. However, I still want him to learn safely. Are there any resources you all know of that may help me understand the sport a bit more? Is it too dangerous to do workouts without an instructor from home if I get him a heavy bag?

Is 13 too young to even be considering this sport from a workout perspective? I seriously am in the dark with this sport. I can't even believe he is interested in it :-(

Edited for clarity

[dock]

His poor developing brain. Boxing (and MMA type fighting) are in the hard no column for me, personally. Too much risk of repeated head trauma- that’s the end goal, right? TKO.

[cjcouple]

dock , Yeah, that's why I was asking about home workout trainings.

ETA: I don't want him injuring his hands and just punching at a bag without any research. So he is safe doing home workouts.   

[icedcoffee]

I admittedly don't know much about boxing, but could he be convinced to do some sort of martial arts instead?

[wildrice]

What interests him about it? I'd start there and see about an alternative.

Kickboxing is super fun. I know it's not a competitive sport, but would he enjoy just being able to punch a bag and get activity that way?

If he's interested in fighting (which I wouldn't be thrilled about) what about wrestling? I am not really a fan of that either, but it seems less dangerous.

[isabel]

I would have him do research on TBI and sit down for a full-fledged conversation about this interest, what he learned from his research and why he thinks this sport is a good idea. He's old enough to discuss the potential long-term ramifications.

Truthfully, boxing never crossed my mind as one of my "banned" sports, mostly because why would anyone want to do that? lol I agree with pushing him toward martial arts, but if you can't really afford lessons it's all a bit of a moot point anyway.

[sineadorebellion]

I've trained and coached adults and kids in MMA, boxing, kickboxing, and BJJ. My girls trained since they were 3 and 7. (They're 9 and 12 now). It's given all of us a lot more confidence and a group of people we now consider family. We took this year off but they're both asking to go back to training next year after I have this baby. He could do the workouts from home but I think initially it would be best to go to classes to learn proper technique, to reduce the risk of injury.

In any of the classes my kids have ever taken or I've taught, sparring was always practice/light, and in full gear. Mouthpiece, headgear, shin guards, etc. Never do we let the kids just wail on each other, it's always about form. It is a pretty $$ investment in quality gear so if you do decide to let him try, don't go super cheap.

Check out several different gyms before committing, as most will let you try it out for free anyways. Find one where you're comfortable with the style of coaching. We push the kids, but we never force. Tourneys and competitive training are voluntary. We have never had a kid seriously injured, in training or competition. Good coaches and refs will always ensure safety of the the competitors first.

[cjcouple]

Dec 5, 2019 9:48:19 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

I admittedly don't know much about boxing, but could he be convinced to do some sort of martial arts instead?

IDK - I honestly cant afford any Martial Arts lessons right now anyway.  He knows he is not fighting,  sparring or anything like that.  I already said no way!  

I'm just considering a heavy bag and/or a speed bag and some gloves for the house because he added to his Christmas list.  I said I would think about them.  Nothing more. Literally home workouts only but I want him to be safe.  I want to get the right gloves, and make sure he is punching the bag safely and not injuring his hands or anything. 

[cjcouple]

isabel, Yup - I already did that.  We had long conversations about it because he keeps bringing it up.  I thought a good compromise would be the bags/gloves at home as a workout. I just didn't know if that was also dangerous.   

He is NOT fighting. 

[isabel]

Dec 5, 2019 9:58:36 GMT -5 cjcouple said:

isabel , Yup - I already did that.  We had long conversations about it because he keeps bringing it up.  I thought a good compromise would be the bags/gloves at home as a workout. I just didn't know if that was also dangerous.   

He is NOT fighting. 

In that case, I wouldn't have a problem with a bag and gloves. I do think you need to figure out a way to get him some lessons to learn how to punch correctly though. You can really jack up your wrists and hands punching the wrong way. I otherwise wouldn't be concerned at all about him doing that though.

[yogapants]

There are plenty of non-fighting boxing gyms around in most cities. If you're going to buy him gloves and a bag, you could buy him one or two introductory (maybe 1-on-1 personal training) classes to teach him good form and technique.

[sineadorebellion]

Because he's 13, you should maybe look at adult group boxing or cardio kickboxing lessons. There's no sparring in that. 13/14 is where we start to transition the older kids because of size. Our gym charges a flat $5 drop in for group classes, and there's no sparring involved (of course your area might be different but to give you an option). The coaches help wrap hands and we work with newbies to teach form until they're up to speed. Might be an option to get him started and really gauge his long term interest.

[cjcouple]

sineadorebellion, thanks - good information

[cjcouple]

Dec 5, 2019 10:00:23 GMT -5 isabel said:

Dec 5, 2019 9:58:36 GMT -5 cjcouple said:

isabel , Yup - I already did that.  We had long conversations about it because he keeps bringing it up.  I thought a good compromise would be the bags/gloves at home as a workout. I just didn't know if that was also dangerous.   

He is NOT fighting. 

In that case, I wouldn't have a problem with a bag and gloves. I do think you need to figure out a way to get him some lessons to learn how to punch correctly though. You can really jack up your wrists and hands punching the wrong way. I otherwise wouldn't be concerned at all about him doing that though.

This is exactly why I was posting. 

[goldengirlz]

Boxing is a big fitness trend right now — I take a “boxing” class at a studio here (I won’t go so far as to say it’s “real” boxing but we do wear wraps and gloves and punch a bag.) There are similar places popping up all over.

He could probably watch some YouTube videos to figure out form, or you could spring for a private lesson. It’s like any sport where you want to listen to your body and protect your joints/muscles. But I would let my teen punch a bag in the basement — that seems like a good way to get out stress. I LOVE how I feel afterward. When I was going through some work stuff, it was a tremendous relief to just whale on a bag for 30 minutes.

ETA: The water-filled bags are supposed to be easier resistance than sand filled ones.

[cjcouple]

goldengirlz, Good to know.

He already found a guy (boxer) on YouTube that gives lessons. But I like the idea of a drop in or 2. I found a couple places that are no contact and $10 drop ins for under 16. Says they show proper form, movement, stance etc.

[cjcouple]

Thank you everyone for your help.

[imojoebunny]

Does his school have a wrestling team? It is a very physical sport, that requires a lot of conditioning, but doesn't have nearly the head injuries of boxing, and bonus, if it is through the school, it often less expensive to participate. I scored for the wrestling team all through high school, and I only saw a few injuries, a few bloody noses, but not broken, and some leg injuries. You are, also, matched with people in your same weight class, so not a 200 pounder against a 125. Unlike boxing, colleges regularly give scholarships for it.

[cjcouple]

Dec 5, 2019 10:54:39 GMT -5 imojoebunny said:

Does his school have a wrestling team? It is a very physical sport, that requires a lot of conditioning, but doesn't have nearly the head injuries of boxing, and bonus, if it is through the school, it often less expensive to participate. I scored for the wrestling team all through high school, and I only saw a few injuries, a few bloody noses, but not broken, and some leg injuries. You are, also, matched with people in your same weight class, so not a 200 pounder against a 125. Unlike boxing, colleges regularly give scholarships for it.

No wrestling in HS.  But he plays basketball for the school (and loves it) which is the same season as wrestling so he will just do that if he makes the team anyway. 

   

[cleo29]

I would just stick with a boxing work out. If you go to a good place, you will learn correct form and it is a hell of a workout.

[readyin07]

I've wondered about this too. Our local Police Athletic League does very very low cost classes that kind of go along with a leadership program. I've heard positive things. It looks to me like there's sparring involved though and that's...definitely not my style.

[illgetthere]

My kids are in boxing; they go to a true boxing gym. Most of the workouts are just workouts. They do bag work along with hundreds of jumping jacks, ab work, squats etc. Actual boxing comes later; you have to be in shape and know the basics. Once they make fight team (after a year or two) they start sparring in the gym with full head gear. Going to fights comes even after that.
It's promoted as "get fit, not hit" and has people of all ages and abilities that go for the workout with no intention of getting on the fight team.
The gym we use is free for anyone still in school to get kids off the streets

[statlerwaldorf]

Boxing is my main form of exercise. It’s a great workout. I do agree with other posters that you need to get him a few lessons to learn proper technique. I would check around to see if any local gyms have discounted passes. They might have special deals for the holidays. I see classes on Groupon a lot.