Starting Boxing in Bodrum: Your First Month with an English-Speaking Coach

Boxing looks like throwing punches, but it is really a sport of footwork, timing, defence and patience. The good news: you don't need any of that before you start. At Forest Fight, boxing is taught by Mert Özen, a boxing coach and fitness trainer with several regional and national titles — and he speaks English. Whether you have moved to Bodrum or are staying for a few weeks, here is what your first month of boxing typically looks like.

Why boxing?

Boxing is a full-body workout: your legs carry you, your hips and core generate power, and your shoulders deliver the punch. Training in rounds — short bursts of work with brief rests — builds conditioning fast, while coordination, reflexes and focus are trained the whole time. And for many people the best part is how they feel afterwards: hitting a bag is one of the most honest ways to leave the day's stress behind.

Your first class

In your first class Mert will ask about your sporting background, any injuries and your goals — in English if you prefer. Then comes a warm-up of skipping, joint mobility and dynamic stretching, followed by your basic stance and first punches. You don't have to keep up with the group's pace; taking a breather or a sip of water is completely fine. Your first trial class is free, so use it to find out whether boxing is for you.

Week 1: Stance, guard and straight punches

Week one is about fundamentals. Feet roughly shoulder-width apart and slightly staggered, knees soft, chin tucked, hands protecting your face. This stance decides both your balance and your defence, and every technique is built on it.

You'll learn the jab (lead hand) and the cross (rear hand), and discover that power doesn't come from the arm: it starts in your back foot and travels through a turn of the hips. Basic footwork — forwards, backwards and sideways — is part of the week too. Shadow boxing in front of a mirror helps the movements stick; feeling mechanical at first is normal.

Week 2: Hooks, uppercuts and defence

In week two your toolbox grows with the hook and the uppercut. Both need more rotation than straight punches, so balance can feel tricky at first.

Boxing isn't only about hitting, so the basics of defence arrive now too: blocking with the gloves, slipping punches with head movement and stepping back to create distance. By the end of the week you'll be throwing your first three-punch combination: jab, cross, hook.

Weeks 3–4: Pads, bag work and rounds

From week three you start applying what you've learned to a real target. On the pads, Mert or a partner holds them at different angles and calls out combinations, which sharpens both technique and reflexes. Bag work lets you test your power and stamina.

Sessions now run in rounds. By week four you'll notice you finish rounds more comfortably and your combinations flow better. Sparring is usually not a first-month goal for beginners; you decide with your coach when your technique and control are ready.

Common first-month mistakes

• Not bringing the hand back: every punch should return to your guard along the same path, just as fast.
• Lifting the chin: it rises as you tire. Keep it slightly tucked towards your chest.
• Arm-only punching: power comes from the legs and hips. Punching with the arm alone tires you out and strains the shoulder.
• Crossing your feet: when moving, your feet shouldn't cross over, or you'll lose balance.

Lunchtime or evening?

Mert's teen & adult boxing classes run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at two times: a 12:00–13:00 class that fits into a lunch break and a 20:00–21:00 class after work. Each day has a focus: Monday is fundamentals and general strength, Wednesday technique and tactics, Friday sparring and review. As a beginner you'll do controlled drills on Fridays until you're ready to spar. See the weekly schedule for current times.

Living in Bodrum or just visiting?

Bodrum has a large international community, and plenty of visitors want to keep training on holiday. If you're only here for a while, ask us about drop-in classes and weekly passes on WhatsApp. Bring comfortable sportswear, trainers, water and a small towel (gloves and wraps are available at the gym for your first class) — Bodrum's summer heat means you'll need more water than you think. If you keep training, your first purchases should be hand wraps and your own gloves; Mert can advise on glove weight.

Conclusion

Your first month of boxing is about laying foundations: a solid stance, clean punches and the first steps of defence. You don't need to be perfect, just consistent. Can't decide between boxing and kickboxing? Read our guide to starting kickboxing in Bodrum, or try both in your free trial class.