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PERSONAL TRAINING, SPARRING SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT REVIEW
Christopher Padilla I LOVE BOXING. I am a fighter, a boxer and a trainer. I
LOVE THIS SPORT. I am most comfortable only in the ring and
in the gym. Even when I am nervous before sparring or
competition, I feel at home. I am currently a trainer and a
gym owner in Franklin Square NY. I am a retired NYC Police
Officer and I now own a private training studio which is
fully equipped with only the best equipment money can buy.
But that is not all that counts when it comes to training. A
trainer has to be in good physical and mental condition. He
has to understand all people and styles are different. I
don't teach every fighter and white collar boxer the same
style. All my boxers are unique and I love them for it. My
boxers range from your city cop to your 60 year old teacher
at school. I am a very physical trainer. I never sit and
watch my fighters train, I sweat with them!!! Trainers need
to be more attentive and always watch for mistakes, but also
let these hardworking people have fun too! You can't correct
every little mistake and continually interrupt the session.
Let them sweat!!! Some of these people are training to have
fun and get in shape. To learn self defense and beat stress.
Not every person is there to be a pro or amateur competitor.
These people are not just my clients, they are my friends.
Another issue I am currently very concerned with is sparring
safety. I have witnessed too many injuries occur during
unsafe sparring. Sparring is not competition. It is a
learning process for all who wish to participate. Absolutely
you do get hit and yes, black eyes and sore noses are
possibilities. But too many trainers allow "GYM WARS" which
get fighters hurt, mentally and physically. Too many gyms
allow fighters to wear small 14 ounce Mexican style gloves
which are dangerous to the other boxer. I only allow
sparring to be conducted in a friendly, noncompetitive
atmosphere with large, well padded 16 and 18 ounce gloves. I
will not allow a fighter to use any Mexican style glove and
no gloves under 16 ounces. Ringside's safety and
international style gloves are the best and the safest
around. Also on the issue of safe equipment, I can't stress
enough to serious boxers how important a custom made
mouthpiece is for their protection. Spend the extra at the
dentist and get a professional made mouthpiece. I wear a
mouthpiece which protects my upper and lower jaw. The person
who made this mouthpiece has fabricated units for boxers
such as Fernando Vargas, Tito Trinidad, Oscar DeLahoya and
others. The cost, $275.00, ouch!!! But when I wear it I feel
safe and comfortable. Boil and bite does not cut it. Invest,
be smart and be safe.
USA Boxing Certified Coach and Amateur Boxer.
Owner of Personal Boxing And Fitness Inc.
Franklin Square, NY 11010
516-483-2229