Boxing is one of the most addicting sports. Getting yourself ready for boxing workouts demands a proper workout routine at a gym or boxing studio. However, joining a gym is not always a convenient option, like if you are unable to pay a lot for a boxing gym or you could not find a gym nearby. Setting up a home-built gym can be a solution to these inconveniences. A home-built gym can either be simple or complex. It all depends on your needs, budget, area, and training level. There are several tips you can adopt to increase your available space to meet your personal or professional boxing requirements.
1. Floor padding
The most important feature of a home-built gym is a suitable floor. Concrete floors can be quite harsh for footwork drills, skipping rope, practice drills, this could result in serious knee injuries. For shock-absorbance and non-slip floor, appropriate paddings like foam, jigsaw mat, interlocking mats, or pile carpeting is a must. Not only for shock absorbance, but the floor padding also provides a comfortable foundation for boxing workouts, sit-ups, and push-ups. Foam mats also protect your floor from damage by heavy boxing equipment. Floor paddings are available in different thickness i.e. ½” and ¾”.
2. Choosing the best space
Narrow down the best space for your workout area. It is best to go for a garage as your workout space if you have one. If you live in an apartment and do not have ceilings that can hold your boxing equipment, go for free-standing punching bags. Choosing the garage as your workout zone is more convenient than any other spot. As a garage is separate from the rest of the house and you will not have to worry about the noise which disturbs other people in your home. The garage also facilitates fresh air and helps to stay cool. An outside gym in the yard is also a good option, where free-standing equipment can be kept, as long as the weather remains suitable for it.
3. Setting up the equipment: Jump rope
A jump rope is the most inexpensive and simple, yet very important training tool. It is easily carried to every place; indoors, outdoors, and can be done in a very small area. Jumping the rope is used to enhance the heavy-duty performance of lower legs, making your calves and glutes stronger. It is used for high-intensity training, for boosting your stamina and high level of cardio capacity. It is also said that the effect of ten minutes of skipping is equivalent to thirty minutes of jogging.
4. Easy-heavy/ punch bags
Boxing is fundamentally about punching; thus, a punching bag is a very essential boxing training tool. You can go for a sand or water-filled punching bag for convenience. Purchasing a free-standing punching bag is a better option as they are super easy to install. That is because you do not need to drill in the ceilings to hang the punching bag. Free-standing bags can be easily moved to another spot and provides a full rotation movement in all directions when hit.
5. Install double end and reflex bags
A double bag is an important piece of equipment to workout your strikes and dodges. It also helps to perfect hand speed, coordinating ducking and slipping in defense. Installing traditional double end bags presents difficulty for a home-based gym, as it is mounted on a wall. A mobile and easy solution to practice your head movements, rhythm, the timing of attack/ defense, and landing accurate punches is the use of Reflex Bags. These are popular in home gyms as well as commercial gyms due to their versatility and distinct action. It is mounted with a spring at the center and bends in the same direction as the opponent would, giving a real fighting experience. It practices your speed and reflexes and helps in providing feedback to know your accuracy level and amount of practice you further need. Horizontal balls are also an alternative for a double bag, but its ends still need to be gripped to something. Garages and basements are most likely to have a place or device to mount the horizontal balls, like a reeling or unused rack, but in the case of an apartment, installing the horizontal balls would be tricky. Using two trees in a backyard for accommodating horizontal balls can also be a creative option.
6. Placing slipping cords
Slipping cords are used to build a synchronized head movement and to enhance your defense. These are similar to horizontal balls and speed balls but is not for power punching as it cannot bear heavy impact. These are easily moved and installed, by a simple gripping bolt that is mounted on the opposite walls of the room thus are best for a home-based gym setup. These can be easily unmounted for any repair or shifting to a new place.
7. Getting yourself equipped
Getting yourself equipped properly for the workout is the final step. Many personal-use items have been designed to practice your slipping, for achieve speed, and for gaining strength. Practicing the basics to obtain the best boxing, is essential. These pieces of items would help you build a stronger stance, achieving proper form, and maintaining a solid fist. Along with the physical enhancement, it greatly boost-up your focus. The workouts that are frequently practiced, often lose their importance. When these are indulged and engaged on purpose their need can be understood and the benefits they provide are revealed.
8. Using resistance bands
Easily carried and movable resistance bands are important for developing a bundle of strength and cardiovascular capability. These are available in different levels of resistance; the tension in them can be altered.
Keynote: Establishing your very own home-based boxing gym comes with many benefits. The key to successful learning and training in your home-built gym is the best utilization of the available space. Having suitable equipment, which is convenient for your available workspace is necessary. Bringing in the most versatile and mobile items that occupy less space and are economical.
