Category: Conditioning

Core Strength Training – Boxing from Your Center

Preparing for core strength trainingCore strength is the unsung hero of a fighter’s physical development. It is the link in the chain that transfers strength and power from the legs to the arms and fists.

It is the central platform that provides stability to a fighter’s defensive movements.

It is the engine that powers a fighter through round after round of constant motion.

In every aspect of the game the success of a boxer relies on core strength.

Read on to learn how core strength fuels your in-ring performance. You can also see what kinds of exercises will help you build your core for maximum benefit in the ring. Continue reading “Core Strength Training – Boxing from Your Center”

Conditioning Fundamentals for Boxing and Martial Arts

female shadow boxing in ring

Before a match, we often compare fighters based on their power and their reach. We tend to break opponents down based on how hard they hit.

What often gets left out of that discussion, because it’s hard to quantify, is a fighter’s overall level of conditioning. And a fighter’s level of physical endurance is often a more critical indicator of success than any other factor. 

But it doesn’t matter how hard you punch, if you can’t last long enough into the fight to land it.  Continue reading “Conditioning Fundamentals for Boxing and Martial Arts”

Interval Training for Boxing and MMA

interval training bag work with free-standing heavy bag

High intensity interval training (also known as HIIT) is perfect for boxers, MMA fighters, and other fight sport athletes. 

Interval training can help fighters increase power and improve endurance. In addition, HIIT routines mirror the pace of a typical bout by incorporating multiple intensity levels over the course of the workout.

For fighters looking to give themselves an edge over their opponents, or just a way to add some variety to their training routines, consider HIIT and other interval training options. Continue reading “Interval Training for Boxing and MMA”

Boxing Drills: Plyometrics for Boxing Footwork

 

plyometric box jump for improving boxing footwork

Plyometrics have become an increasingly popular training option in recent years. It’s hard to find gym that doesn’t have a few boxes for people to jump on top of. 

While it may look like a way to have fun in the gym, plyometrics are serious exercises, based on a fair amount of science with a very specific goal: to improve your power. 

Despite what it may look like, there’s more to plyometrics than just jumping up, down, and around the gym. True plyometric exercises have some very specific requirements. And you’ll need to be more mindful of rest and recovery in order to get the best benefits.

Plyometrics, performed correctly, could significantly increase your power output.  More importantly, plyometrics could be the key to improving your boxing footwork.

Read on to find out more about how it works, how it affects your boxing footwork, and some key exercises you’ll want to incorporate into your training. Continue reading “Boxing Drills: Plyometrics for Boxing Footwork”

A Guide to Jump Rope Workouts for Boxing

 

If you’ve been around boxing for some time, then you’ve seen fighters jumping rope in the gym. And if you’re just getting started, someone’s probably told you to jump rope as a part of your training. Many of the boxing greats, Ali, Marciano, Tyson, Mayweather, all used the jump rope to get ready for their fights. It’s clear that the jump rope is a fundamental part of the boxing workout. But why?

Obviously, spending 5-10 minutes jumping rope is a great cardio workout, but it’s more than that. Jumping rope can be a great tool for improving your footwork and focusing your mind.Jumping rope before boxing workout

In today’s blog, we’re going to lay out a few reasons that jumping rope is a critical part of your boxing training program. We’ll also help you decide on the right rope for your needs. Finally, we’ll lay out a few jump rope techniques that will challenge and add variety to your routine. Continue reading “A Guide to Jump Rope Workouts for Boxing”

Workout While Traveling: How to Keep Training when Away from Home

Working out tends to be easier when we have a plan, a routine. But what happens when it’s time to travel away from home. Whether it’s a vacation or a work trip, we often fail to keep up on our workouts while traveling. If you’ve got a trip coming up, though, don’t worry about throwing a wrench into your training plans. We’ve got a few tactics that will help keep your training on track when you’re off your beaten path.

workout while traveling - shadow boxing on the beach
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Continue reading “Workout While Traveling: How to Keep Training when Away from Home”

Get Outdoors: Taking your Training Outside

As the weather warms, many of us dream of spending more time outdoors. The seasonal thaw draws folks out into the world to jog, hike, bike, and play in the fresh air. The most obvious benefit associated with exercising outside is the simple change in environment. Getting outside breaks up the monotony of seeing the same walls and equipment day after day. But there are deeper benefits to sweating in the sunshine. Studies have shown that time spent outside makes you happier, decreases stress, and boosts creativity.

Outdoor training, shadow boxing on the roof

For boxers, MMA fighters, and other martial artists, it can feel be challenging to heed the call of the wild outdoors. So much of our training relies on equipment that is fixed inside the gym. From heavy bags to sparring rings, the life of a training fighter seems to be confined to the gym or dojo.

If you want to bust down those walls, though, and feel the sun on your back while you work out, here are some great ideas to get you started. Continue reading “Get Outdoors: Taking your Training Outside”

Boxing Training for Stronger Fitness

As far as elite-level athletes go, boxers and MMA fighters are some of the toughest, most adaptable in the world. When you go toe-to-toe with another combatant in the ring, you have to know how to respond to whatever might come at you. That means hours upon hours of training to gain power, speed, endurance, and strength, all of which leads to a level of fitness unlike any other: Boxing Fitness.hitting the heavy bag with blue boxing gloves as part of boxing fitness training

Therefore, we suggest that all kinds of athletes—and anyone looking for a great way to get more out of their exercise routines—should invest in some quality boxing gear and take on some boxing training to pump up their fitness performance. Here’s how you can get started with boxing strictly as exercise. Continue reading “Boxing Training for Stronger Fitness”

What Are the Best Resistance Bands for Boxing Training?

To succeed in the ring, a boxer must possess technique, strength, speed, and power. Boxers use a lot of different tools to build these attributes. One of the most common implements you’ll find in a boxer’s toolbox is a set of resistance bands. Proper training with resistance bands are scientifically proven to help boxers develop quick hands, a strong upper body, and endurance in their shoulders.

man using resistance band

While it’s no secret that resistance bands are a vital tool in training, the question we’re asked all the time is how to pick the best resistance bands for boxing? If you search for resistance bands online, you will likely be overwhelmed by the sheer number of results. Sifting through everything to find the best product seems cumbersome, so we’ve decided to take our experience to make it simple for you. Here’s what you want to look for when you’re purchasing the best resistance bands. Continue reading “What Are the Best Resistance Bands for Boxing Training?”