Are private boxing classes worth

[Pkety]

Can you be a good boxer from just mass classes and sparring? Personal coaching is very expensive so I attend classes that do circuits, but no one is really focusing or watching over you. Can you become good off of that or do you need private coaching to advance in boxing? I heard some people say just sparring is good enough. I don’t do mitts at all but do all the other bags.

[_Rexy_]

circuts like boxercise?

[giant_king]

Ain't nothing like some old fashion sparring.the new generation of boxers tend to stay away from sparring because there scared to take a beat down.but it prepares you better than any other training.todays generation just needs to stop being so soft

[Pkety]

circuts like boxercise?

No, circuits like heavy bag for three minutes then cobra bag for 3 then speed bag for 3 etc rinse and repeat.

[billeau2]

Specifically what are your goals? As a martial arts teacher for over 30 years now when I ask this question i will always initially get the same answer: "I want to learn for self defense....yada yada, diet and exercise, yada yada...." Eventually I get some real information from the student, after all I am a good guy and I only want to help.

In your case, I will treat you as I would one of my students and ask why you really have an interest in studying boxing. Is it because you want to learn how to throw a good punch? Comes in handy for sure.... Are you interested in fitness? when you say you want to become good and question the value of certain training modalities I would say it depends on what "good" means to you.

There is a gigantic chasm between wanting to compete, and being able to **** out rounds in a ring. Are you a young man? Do you have a talent for boxing that makes you want to compete?

With that said the place where you are now is sort of the equivalent of the strip mall Karate studio. You will be put through routines that give you a sense of the activity at hand. When you go in at this level the good thing is you gain some knowledge of the art, whether it be boxing, ju jitsu, karate, etc... the bad thing is that you acquire bad habits which take a much longer time to correct than simply learning properly in the first case.

Not knowing what resources are available to you I can't say what you can do with no caveats. You are welcome to PM me that information if it is helpful. I can say that in your situation I would try to find an atmosphere with people who had experience in the finer technical points of what you are doing in the class. Just walk up to people who look like they have experience, or who have a reputation for having experience.

Back in the day when martial arts were perceived as different people would often approach me and ask about "what are you doing?" This never bothered me, and I cannot imagine if you see a guy who seems to have the chops, and ask him about his experience, that this would bother him. Then from the conversation(s) get a sense of the depth of knowledge held by the individual. Then you could ask about maybe getting some coaching.

As far as asking for such services from the classroom setting you are in...this might work. Get the information first, then ask about prices for lessons. And if you are going to pay make sure you have your goals in line... Like I said at the beginning, have a sense of what you want out of the lessons.

Finally, keep this in mind: If you want to have fun, and learn a few technical points, spar, etc than do it! If you want to really get good, work on technical refinements...It won't be fun at all, but it will make you a lot better. Your choice grasshopper!