New Year's Resolutions for How to Box

Happy New Year everyone.  I just wanted to take a few minutes to let you all in on what I'm currently doing in regards to How to Box.  As some of you may know, I got back near the end of December after being away for about 3 months and ever since I've been developing features for the site.  Features which are possible because of your generous donations.  It's all going back into How to Box to make it bigger and better.  So, this is the road ahead for How to Box and as you'll notice, there is plenty of room for people to help out if they want.

These are working now:

1.  Exercise Database

This is not a novel idea, but it is useful.  I'm currently compiling every exercise known to man and am entering them on the site.  Every one of them will have a video demonstration powered by Revver.com.  If you come across an exercise without a video demo and you know how to do it properly, then film yourself, upload it to Revver and let me know.  You'll instantly become famous. 

Every one of you can also submit exercises, so if I miss one, participate and fill the void.  They are accessible through the new Training Center link in your navigation menu.  Even if you don't submit them, you can recommend them.  If you like an exercise, click the little arrow thingy on its page and that will give it a point.  That way others can see which are duds and which are worth their time.  Then others can add them to their favorites (link at the bottom) and they will be easily accessible in their training center.

2.  Workout Builder

I know a lot of you have workouts you do and are dying to share them with others on the site.  If you don't, you should, it's all about sharing.  Anyways, you can now create workouts either by selecting exercises from the database or by adding your own.  Again, if you have a video of it, share it.

If you aren't interested in building one, you can still browse everyone else's and select ones to do.  Just click the use this workout link at the bottom of any workout and it will get listed in your training center.

3.  Training Center

This is your one stop shop for the exercises and workouts you have created.  In the training center you will see all the exercises and workouts you submitted as well as all the exercises and workouts you are either using or added to your favorites list.

These are planned for the near future:

1.  Tracking Abilities

I'm trying to set the workouts up so you can enter reps, weights, time, distance and so on so your performance can be tracked and graphically displayed over time.  It will keep track of your measurements, various performance goals and ideally compare you to others on the site to see where you stack up in terms of your conditioning.  At the moment, this is beyond my ability to implement, so I'm in talks with programmers.  I will keep you posted.

2.  Meal Planning and Nutrition

Like the workout builder, I plan on providing you with a food database and meal plan builder.  It will be quite similar to the workout builder in how it functions, but basically, you select foods, put together meals and schedule those meals for certain days.  Print out shopping lists and end up with a detailed and balanced meal plan.

3.  Expanded Gym and Trainer Information

The profile system is being updated and expanded to allow easier location of trainers and gyms in your area.  As well, there will be an added emphasis on getting gyms and trainers using the site so when you are ready, you can find them, and vice versa.  This works now, but it is not very intuitive.

Finally, there will be some documentation showing up on the site that tells you how to use it.  These will be in the form of little help tips that show up on a page.  You can then choose whether you want to see it again or not.  Basically I'm going to clean up the interface and ensure that the things you want and can do on How to Box are able to be done.

So, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and has a very boxing filled New Year.  If you have a special talent, or desire to keep something on the site eternally updated (eg.. the fight schedule), then by all means let me know.  I'd love the help.

Aaron