Skate-Wear Central

Arnie Gym

Why I Started Boxing

I imagine my story is very similar to many other people who have found themselves involved in the world of boxing and martial arts. I started as a lot of young men do, doing a normal 9-5 office job, eating rubbish and drinking far too much lager! This of course did very little for my body or my anything else for that matter so decided it was time to join a gym.

A couple of friends of mine were really into bodybuilding, so much so that one had what could only be described as a shrine to Arnie in his bedroom. I was quite impressed by the progress they had made so thought I’d join them a couple of times a week. Under their supervision I started to reverse the effects of my unbelievable unhealthy lifestyle. Ten years later I was still doing the same training, maintaining a decent physique, spending a small fortune on supplements but found myself increasingly disillusioned at why exactly I was still putting so much time and effort into weight lifting. I had no interest in steroids and as such was never likely to compete.

By chance and at about the same time I started working for a new company. There were a couple of guys working for this company; one was a traditional power lifter. Nice guy, very strong and nicknamed Mr Incredible. The other a smaller guy, lawyer of all things was really into “BJJ” and “MMA”. Two phrases that meant very little to me at the time. We trained a few times and eventually he talked me into doing a bit of sparring with him one lunchtime. Sure I’d messed about on the punch bag in the gym and even used some focus pads a couple of times with a friend but to actually try and hit another human being was a completely new concept to me.

We arrived at the gym with a huge bag of boxing equipment, out of which he pulled two pairs of 12oz gloves and 2 headgears. At this point I was really questioning what I’d gotten myself into but pride being what it is I wasn’t about to back out. I asked for the thickest most protective headgear he had and we got on with it! My first reaction was of course to swing like a madman, it was a combination of every brawl I’d had since my teens rolled into one. Out of what seemed like a thousand punches I caught him with one (but it was a good one!).

He then spent the next hour dancing around me, jabbing and throwing combos at me whilst I tried to figure out which punch was coming next. I learnt more in that hour than I had in ten years lifting weights. I had no goals lifting weights, I was just plodding along unable to improve myself but fighting was a different ball game completely. Bizarrely I enjoyed the experience, I’d been hit a lot and my jaw ached for days but I couldn’t wait to go again. Fighters understand this; too many people look at fighters with no real understanding of the skill and commitment it takes to actually be good at any combat sport.

I was hooked.

About the Author

This passion for these sports inspired me to create Urban Dojo, suppliers of high quality martial arts and boxing equipment and the home of the martial arts and boxing blog.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Gold’s gym rare early footage

Mens Oakley O Tank $24 Represent the Oakley logo in style at the beach or the gym in the Oakley O Tank!

Metal Mulisha Death Grip Gym Bag $44 The Metal Mulisha Death Grip Gym Bag is the perfect bag for all of you Metal Mulisha fans out there! This durable bag has detachable shoulder straps – interior pockets and two outside zipper pockets – you will surely be noticed at the gym with this bag!

Nike 6.0 Gym 4-Way Stretch Boardshorts – Silver $60 The situation: you show up to the beach sporting Nike 6.0′s Gym boardshorts. People will stare and start to whisper, “No self-respecting beachgoer would ever show up to hit the waves in a pair of… gym shorts!” However, the joke’s on them, since concealed under a print of mesh gym shorts lurks a pair of 100% pure boardshorts, complete with 4-way stretch technology. Children will cheer, men will shout and women will swoon when they realize how clever you are and how wonderfully wrong they were. Or maybe not. Still, these boardshorts will have you looking good while you work up a sweat in a far more enjoyable way than hitting the gym — laying out on the sand with a drink in hand.

Metal Mulisha Death Grip Gym Bag – Black $43.95 Every time you pump iron, it seems like you’re about to crush the bar between your hands. You aren’t afraid to drop the weight, you are just totally focused on sculpting your bod into a masterpiece of human musculature. You can haul your accessories and equipment with you to the gym with this Metal Mulisha Death Grip gym bag. This large duffel bag is constructed with a massive main compartment and two zippered side pockets so you can bring everything you need to get super ripped.

Metal Mulisha Force Recon Gym Bag $70 Metal Mulisha has been going strong for over a decade now – and they have been consistently turning out the best of the best in teams – riders – and products in the motocross world – and now they’ve moved into the fighting world. The Mulisha may play hard – but they work hard too – so start catching up and pickup the Force Recon Gym Bag from Metal Mulisha.

Nike 6.0 Gym 4-Way Stretch Boardshorts – Deep Blue $49.99 The situation: you show up to the beach sporting Nike 6.0′s Gym boardshorts. People will stare and start to whisper, “No self-respecting beachgoer would ever show up to hit the waves in a pair of… gym shorts!” However, the joke’s on them, since concealed under a print of mesh gym shorts lurks a pair of 100% pure boardshorts, complete with 4-way stretch technology. Children will cheer, men will shout and women will swoon when they realize how clever you are and how wonderfully wrong they were. Or maybe not. Still, these boardshorts will have you looking good while you work up a sweat in a far more enjoyable way than hitting the gym — laying out on the sand with a drink in hand.

Nike 6.0 Gym 4-Way Stretch Boardshorts – Kelly Green $44.99 The situation: you show up to the beach sporting Nike 6.0′s Gym boardshorts. People will stare and start to whisper, “No self-respecting beach-goer would ever show up to hit the waves in a pair of… gym shorts!” However, the joke’s on them, since concealed under a print of mesh gym shorts lurks a pair of 100% pure boardshorts, complete with 4-way stretch technology. Children will cheer, men will shout and women will swoon when they realize how clever you are and how wonderfully wrong they were. Or maybe not. Still, these boardshorts will have you looking good while you work up a sweat in a far more enjoyable way than hitting the gym — laying out on the sand with a drink in hand.

Nike 6.0 Gym 4-Way Stretch Boardshorts – Club Purple $60 The situation: you show up to the beach sporting Nike 6.0′s Gym boardshorts. People will stare and start to whisper, “No self-respecting beach-goer would ever show up to hit the waves in a pair of… gym shorts!” However, the joke’s on them, since concealed under a print of mesh gym shorts lurks a pair of 100% pure boardshorts, complete with 4-way stretch technology. Children will cheer, men will shout and women will swoon when they realize how clever you are and how wonderfully wrong they were. Or maybe not. Still, these boardshorts will have you looking good while you work up a sweat in a far more enjoyable way than hitting the gym — laying out on the sand with a drink in hand.

Mens Nike Boardshorts – Nike Gym Angle Boardshorts $66 Two tone diagonal pattern with Nike 6.0 logo on knee. Quick drying, 4-way stretch material. Velcro flap cargo pocket with logo loop. Reinforced tie waist, spandex fly. 19 outseam. Machine washable. Imported. 88% polyester, 12% spandex.Size 32 measured and shown.

Metal Mulisha Force Recon Gym Bag – Black $70 Scope out your next target — a new bike gang — and plan your method of infiltration in the Recon duffel from Metal Mulisha. It features pockets with a rubber mesh overlay, allover logo graphics and a removable padded shoulder strap. Plus, it has tons of attitude, so you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for fly style the next time you’re on a mission to impress.

Fourstar Phys Ed Heather Gray T-shirt $14.99 Hit the gym or hit the beach in the Phys Ed tee from Fourstar!

Fourstar The Classics Phys Ed Black T-shirt $14.99 You’ll be transported back to high school gym class with The Classics Phys Ed tee from Fourstar!

Next by Athena Board and Soul Tankini and Solid Swim Bottom $112 Multi-task your way into the Board & Soul Racerback Wrap Tankini Top. This active tankini top is designed with a playful paisley print removable soft cups supportive band and racerback detail to show off those sculpted shoulders. With NextFlex quick-dry fabric get ready to go from pool to gym to lattes with the ladies without a change. Color: Black. Content: 90% Micro Nylon 10% Spandex. Made in Mexico.

D Cup Bikini-Bikini Swimwear-Boot Camp-Next Swimwear $98 Inspired from the Latte Lady s lifestyle the Boot Camp Racerback Underwire Sports Bra is a versatile gym to swim top for any active endeavor. Bra sized swimwear equipped with floating underwire support center scrunch detail and the signature Next Swimwear breathable quick-dry fabric this all sport bikini top will keep you feeling your best. This is also a D cup swimsuit option.  Color: Black. Content: 90% Micro Nylon 10% Spandex. Made in California U.S.A.

Sports Bra-Swim Short-Shred-Next Swimwear $112 The Aqua Junkie Racerback Sports Bra is designed to go from the pool to the gym and off through your day in style. Bra sized swimwear equipped with removable soft cups wrap over bra detail solid wide band and racerback for ultimate support and comfort. The updated tile print is made from Next s signature quick dry fabric that forms and flatters to your every move.  Color: Brown. Content: 90% Micro Nylon 10% Spandex. Made in California U.S.A.

RVCA Open Fire Twill Short $39.5 The Open Fire shorts by RVCA are super comfortable for lounging around – throwing over your swimsuit or running errands. Throw away your old gym shorts and grab a pair of these today.

D Cup Bikini-Swimwear-Good Karma-Next Swimwear $104 The multi-tasking convenience of a tankini with the look of a one piece swimsuit when worn with the bikini bottom the Good Karma Racerback Wrap Tankini Top a great multi-use must have for your active wardrobe. With Next Swimwear’s signature quick-dry fabric it can go from the pool to the gym to lattes with the ladies without a change. This bra sized swimwear top offers removable soft cups a supportive solid band as well as racerback detail for a full range of motion. This black on black tankini top is a jack-of-all trades. This is also an option if you’re looking for D cup swimwear.   Color: Black. Content: 90% Micro Nylon 10% Spandex. Made in California U.S.A.

Volcom Simply Stone Basic Full Bottom $29.5 Show off all your lunges you’ve been doing at the gym and wear the Volcom Simply Stone Basic full bottoms. This great pair of bathing suit bottoms make you look fabulous while keeping your cheeks covered.

Metal Mulisha Arm Bar Bag $50 Your wardrobe is bad ass – why can’t your bag be too? Let em know you don’t tap out and when it comes to arm bars you don’t have any mercy. This nylon gym bag has you covered.