Worrying that you’re too old to box?
No matter if you’re 25 or 50, there’s still a place for you in the boxing gym.
This article will discuss the reasons why older adults should box, as well as tips for older boxers looking to compete.
Are You Too Old To Box?
No, you’re not too old to box.
It’s never too late to pick up a new skill and challenge yourself.
To those that are afraid of getting hit and hitting others, it’s important to remember that boxing doesn’t always mean fighting.
There’s so much else that you can focus on such as footwork, defense, and strategy.
Below, we’ll discuss the reasons why older adults should box.
Reasons Why Older Adults Should Box
Older adults should box because:
- You’ll Make Lifelong Friends
- You’ll Get In The Best Shape Of Your Life
- You’ll Pick Up An Exciting New Hobby
- You’ll Compete And Showcase Your Skills
You’ll Make Lifelong Friends
The first reason why older adults should box is that you’ll make lifelong friends.
Even though boxing is a solo sport, the community plays a big part in a boxer’s success.
When people think of boxing, they think of blood and busted ribs. But they don’t get to see the human side, where everyone is celebrating another’s small victories and laughing with each other on the sidelines.
Everyone in the boxing community is a teacher and student to someone else, even if you’re a beginner!
That’s an experience that you don’t find in many other activities. Learn what it’s like to be mentored and mentor others.
It’s well known that many of the deadliest guys in combat sports are humble goofballs, have the biggest hearts, and are happy to share what they know. Such is true in boxing.
You should also bring your kids since this is the best time to start boxing for them!
You’ll Get In The Best Shape Of Your Life
The next reason why older adults should box is that you’ll get in the best shape of your life.
Boxing is one of the hardest sports to learn, both mentally and physically.
It teaches you that everything matters: agility, strength, and intelligence to name a few. If one is missing, the rest suffers.
To reach your full potential as a boxer, you have to train your whole body, improving your cardio, burning your fat, and building muscle.
In addition to this, training for boxing keeps you sharp mentally and reduces stress. It’s definitely more fun than running on the treadmill!
At this point of your life as an older adult, you approach your health as whole.
Take care of your diet, get your mandatory 8 hours of sleep, and stretch often.
Even if you’ve played sports before, ease into the workouts. Make sure to stretch, warm up, and cool down after every workout.
There’s no need to go for 3 workouts a day or run 10 miles of roadwork right away.
Boxing is a great tool for becoming the person you want to be physically and mentally.
You’ll Pick Up An Exciting New Hobby
The next reason why older adults should box is that you’ll pick up an exciting new hobby.
As you get older, you’re expected to succeed at whatever you pursue in life; indeed, your place and value in society is determined largely by this.
When you pick up a new hobby, it reminds you of how refreshing it is to fail once in a while!
The more you challenge yourself in boxing, the more happiness and confidence you’ll have in yourself.
It teaches you to stay humble and challenge your limits.
As long as you see it as a hobby and not as a matter of life and death, you’ll have fun.
Don’t think about it too much or else you won’t get anything done!
You’ll Compete And Showcase Your Skills
The next reason why older adults should box is that you’ll compete and showcase your skills.
Consider these tips if you want to compete as an older boxer.
Before you jump in the deep end, have self-awareness and manage your expectations.
Set your goals and make sure you’re not chasing childhood dreams that don’t exist anymore.
It takes a long time to get good at boxing and time is not your ally.
You won’t become the youngest boxing champion, but you will have fun and learn something new.
If you have the burning desire to compete and go pro, it’s possible. Look at George Foreman who became a world champion at the age of 45, beating a 26-year old opponent!
But first consider a few things:
- Boxing is easy to pick up because of its low entry barrier, but it takes thousands of hours to master.
- You may have a family, steady career, and responsibilities.
- Even if you train day and night to reach the skill level you need to compete, there’s a lot that’s out of your control. Boxing (and more importantly, its promoters) favor younger fighters.
If you want to become world champion, stop reading this article and get to work.
Conclusion
You’re not too old to box, even if you’re 60!
If you’ve read all this and you’re still hesitating, take a small first step. Watch videos on boxing basics so you can learn how to box by yourself.
One thing leads to another and the next thing you know you’re taking a free trial lesson at your local gym!
Regardless of your age, what’s most important is that you have no regrets and that you stay aligned with your goal.
Even if you don’t reach your goals, you’ll meet great people, learn timeless skills, and get in great shape. It’s a win-win situation.
The best time to start is today!
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