Age Is Just a Number | How To Start Boxing In Your 40s

We hit our 40s, and questions start coming into play of “Am I too old to…x, y, z?” For many, this may revolve around health, activities, or bucket list goals.

With boxing on the rise again in popularity, many people of all ages are not only interested in watching the sport but taking part in the benefits boxing workouts have to offer. So if you are in your 40s and wondering, “Am I too old to learn how to box?” The simple answer is no.

Boxing In Your 40s

One of the best things about boxing, or fitness in general, is that you are never too old to start. Some people go their entire adult lives before picking it up, but the benefits of exercise cannot be ignored. It’s never a bad time to start boxing to help you get fighting fit for the rest of your life.

While some people may be hesitant to start combat sports, many have proven that age is just a number. Bernard Hopkins is the oldest to ever win a major belt in the world of boxing when he won it at the age of 46. George Foreman, just behind him, won the heavyweight belt in boxing at the young age of 45.

Both men proved that as long as you have the determination and drive to be fit and active, you can do so at any age and any level. There’s no time like the present to start.

How Do I Start Boxing In My 40's?

This is by far one of the main reasons why people never start training, not knowing where to start. Nowadays, the internet is a great resource, but sometimes it’s not enough. So, where do you begin?

Start With YouTube

You can learn to do anything with all of the videos and content available on YouTube. The first place to start would be to watch some introductory videos to educate yourself on the background and basics of boxing. Then, move on to simple drills, exercises, and conditioning workouts. That way you can start to learn from the beginning.

First Pro Tip: FightCamp has a YouTube channel where you’ll find tutorials and videos on boxing and kickboxing.

Take A Class

Hopefully, after watching a few videos, you have an idea of what is expected when starting boxing training, and you feel ready to move on to more skills and lessons. Taking a class is the next step in learning how to box. Classes are great opportunities to use the skills you have learned thus far, put them to work, and push yourself outside of your comfort zone.

Second Pro Tip: FightCamp offers the best online boxing workouts, and with different options such as Versus mode and our leaderboard, you'll have yourself competing against other members from across the globe.

Personal Coaching

Classes are wonderful for great workouts and to push yourself with some friendly competition. The slight drawback with in-person classes is that they are not individualized and instead are designed to maximize the potential of the group as a whole, as opposed to the individual. The next best step in your boxing journey is to take personal or one-on-one training. This is how you can focus on yourself and it will allow you to fine-tune your boxing game.

Third Pro Tip: There is no rushing to make a personal training session or in-person class with FightCamp. The FightCamp Trainers are all professional boxing experts and are here to show you the proper forms of boxing from boxing stances, punches, and footwork any time you are ready. The on-demand tutorials and workouts on the FightCamp app can be done on your schedule.

Things to Keep In Mind

Ease Your Way Into Training

For the majority of people picking up fitness in their 40s, it may take time to see results, and it will require more dedication to proper training recovery. That's not to say that you cannot train like a 20 year old, but to start, ease into training before upping the intensity.

Once you have acclimated to the rigorous nature of boxing, you can push harder, provided you are smart about it. This means ample amounts of warm-up time and longer cool down sessions to help avoid injury. Before long, you will be feeling great and in the best shape of your life.

A recent example of fighters 40+ showing off their impressive skills is the 2020 end-of-year exhibition fight between former belt holders, and two of the best boxers of all-time, Mike Tyson and Roy Jones, Jr. Both men were in their 50s, and it had been years since either stepped inside the ring.

Everyone Can Benefit From Boxing and Exercise

Just because you don't plan on fighting for a world title at 45 years old, that doesn't mean you can't benefit from boxing. Boxing, and exercise in general, has numerous health benefits that anyone can take advantage of. As we age, we lose muscle and bone mass, so staying fit and in shape is key later on in life, and consistent exercise has been proven to help with both.

Life Is About Constant Learning

We are always looking to challenge ourselves and learn new and exciting things. Exploring new endeavors throughout our life helps to keep the mind young and sharp.

Picking up boxing is a great example. Learning to box will not only challenge you physically but mentally as well. Boxing training will test your fortitude and your ability to push yourself during tough workouts.

Boxing is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. With boxing, you’ll be learning the basics of how to throw a punch, how to move around your target, and how to execute different punch combinations.

Life is about learning. Once you stop learning you stop growing. Boxing will have you continuously learning.

40 Is The New 30

As we continue to study the human body, and as technology evolves, there’s still no telling how long humans can live. But beyond just science, there are other things that have been shown to help extend your life. Consistent exercise, a healthy diet, and stable mental health have all been proven to be effective for extending life expectancy. To feel young and alive in life, boxing is the perfect elixir.

With its heart-pumping workouts, energy-boosting, mood-enhancing endorphin release, and ability to help knockout stress, boxing will have you feeling energized again. Add in a little friendly competition with your peers, and it’s not just working out, it’s having fun!

40 Years Young

It's not about how old you are, but how old you feel. Choosing to adopt a healthy lifestyle and incorporate things like a balanced diet, proper recovery, and exercise will change the way you look and feel for the better. So is it too late to learn to box in your 40s? The answer is a resounding, “NO.” You can learn to box at any age in life.

Train Like a Fighter

Take your workouts to the next level and train like a fighter with the at-home connected fitness solution used by world champion boxers Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather. FightCamp has everything you need to work out on your schedule, with premium boxing equipment and hundreds of on-demand strength, conditioning, kickboxing, boxing, core, and recovery classes led by real fighters. As Mike Tyson said - “FightCamp is the next level of training!”