Women's boxing classes cost $25 to $35 per person for a group session or $50 to $100 hourly with a private coach. Monthly fees for group sessions cost $75 to $200 with a gym membership. Discounts are available at some gyms for the first week.

• Choose from classes that train with only women or a diverse range of students.
• In small group classes, each woman gets personalized instruction.

Women's boxing classes are worth it for benefits like these:

• Improving your self-defense skills
• Boosting your overall mental and physical health
• Building more upper-body strength
• Helping you make new friends at the gym
• Developing self-discipline
• Losing weight faster
• Enhancing your stamina to perform better in other sports like marathons

The best ways for women to prepare for a boxing class include:

• Expect a full-body workout and bring a bottle of water with you to class.
• Don't train on days of the month when you're over-tired or menstruating.
• Ask the teacher if they provide hand wraps, gloves, or accessories.
• Take a day off from intense workouts before your first class.
• Eat a light and nutritious meal 1 to 2 hours before training.
• Stretch at home right before class.
• Maintain a positive attitude.

Women can wear the same types of gym workout clothing to a boxing class. Keep in mind that you'll sweat a lot in your clothing, so choose something comfortable that breathes well.

Examples of women's boxing class clothing include:

• A sports bra that doesn't restrict movement
• Tank tops or T-shirts
• Shorts or leggings that allow for high kicks
• Nothing too baggy that won't stay in place
• Hand wraps or gloves that weight at least 10 oz. each
• Lightweight cross trainers or shoes with thin soles

Most boxing classes are 30 to 60 minutes long. Each session typically includes a variety of drills with emphasis on cardio exercises, punching bag practice, weight training, and stretches to cool down afterward. You can schedule longer sessions with your coach if you want to train competitively.

Start out with 2 to 3 boxing classes per week as a beginner to allow enough recovery time. You can take more than 4 classes per week after your coach has seen that you've progressed enough to train more without risking injuries.

If you're eager to progress faster, then ask your coach which strength and endurance training exercises you can do in between classes.

Weight classes in women's boxing includes 17 categories that start at 102 to 105 lbs. minimum for the Atomweight and Strawweight levels. The highest categories are various tiers of Heavyweight 168 lbs. or more. However, the top weight category in MMA is only up to 145 lbs. maximum.

Matching sparring partners so that they fight others in their same weight category is important to create balanced matches that reduce the risk of unnecessary injuries.

Before finding a boxing class near you, remember to:

• Compare at least 3 boxing lesson estimates from different gyms.
• Study their reviews on Lessons and Google.
• Request references from current or recent students.
• Verify their professional boxing or coaching certifications.
• Ask other students in the boxing school how they feel about the teacher.
• Collect a written contract and schedule prior to the first session.
• Set a payment plan instead of paying for everything upfront.
• Avoid boxing classes at a gym that makes you spar on the first day.

Select a great boxing teacher by asking a coach these questions before signing up:

• Can I have a trial session before committing?
• How many years have you been training boxers?
• Who trained you, and what types of matches have you been in?
• Do you specialize in a particular boxing style or technique?
• How old are most of your students?
• Are there women's only boxing classes, or are these classes for everyone?
• Do you pair sparring partners according to similar weight groups?
• How do you handle students who break the rules of sparring in class?
• Where can I purchase or rent boxing gear?
• How often should I practice boxing techniques at home?
• What should I bring to classes?
• How long does each session last?
• What is your cancellation and refund policy?
• Can I get a copy of the training schedule, contract, and payment details?
• Could you include specific techniques I want to focus on?