While I admire their dedication to fitness and their respect for the demands of our sport, I also know that we can talk ourselves out of even starting. I have reassured friends that they can use boxing to get in shape.

Obviously, if someone has not exercised in a long time, has a health condition, or is recovering from an injury, he should talk with a doctor before starting the program and talk to the trainer about any concerns. However, there is no reason why someone can’t ease into a program.

Some years ago, a buddy of mine attended a competitive match I had. After the bout (happily, I won the decision), my friend said, “That was really cool! I’d like to do that, but I could never get in shape for it.”

Argh! He is someone who has run marathons, so he has a good training ethic. I told him just to show up for the workout, meet the coach, and get started. He initially balked and I told him he’d probably be making excuses for years if he didn’t start right away. Those of us who have perfectionist tendencies might never be at a level of fitness that lets us think we’re ready.

It’s a subtle mental trap, but a very real one. I experience it sometimes when I have missed training for a while. I amaze myself with the number and variety of excuses I can generate. “Oh, my wind isn’t so good yet. I need to do roadwork for a few more days.” “My left jab should be quicker in shadowboxing. I won’t be able to do any good work on the pads until I speed it up.” And on it goes.

I sometimes think that unless I can become some elite athlete, some world class amateur boxer, my training won’t be any good. Well, that is not going to happen–not in this lifetime anyway! So I may as well get off my butt and get back into it.

I’m in a transitional stage with my training right now (trying to get to a new gym), so I am doing a bit more roadwork and shadowboxing than usual, but I know I can give myself some slack on the perfectionism and get back to my routine as soon as I can.

As a final comment, I have noticed one thing about those times when I overcome that resistance and get to my workout. I almost always have a much better training session than I thought I would. Knowing that makes it easier to get back in there the next time I have missed some training or am feeling “too slow,” “too weak,” or “too tired,” to train.

Thanks for this helpful blog entry!

Nerd of Steel