8 Tips to Help you Succeed as an MMA Fighter

The octagon - where MMA fighters dream of victory

To say the popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has skyrocketed since UFC’s first event in November of 1993 would be an understatement. The UFC was valued at about $4 billion in 2016. It now consistently draws more pay-per-view buys than boxing and a comparable number to the WWE.

The popularity of the sport has inspired many people to start learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in hopes of one day stepping into the Octagon. But before you set your sights on becoming a great MMA fighter like Conor McGregor or Demetrious Johnson, let’s consider what it takes to get there. Follow these eight tips to becoming a successful MMA fighter to give yourself a shot at the glory. Be warned though—you will need to put in a LOT of hard work. Continue reading “8 Tips to Help you Succeed as an MMA Fighter”

A Guide to Cleaning Your Boxing Gear

All your ringside boxing gear stored in a locker at the gym

“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses—behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.” – Muhammad Ali

Don’t let countless hours of work and the money you spent on great boxing gear go to waste because you failed to take care of said gear by not cleaning it. By following our guide to cleaning your equipment, you can place most of your focus on the the journey from boxing training, that behind the lines work, to dancing under the lights on fight night.

“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses—behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.” – Muhammad Ali

It never hurts to consult a guy called “The Greatest” for advice in his area of expertise. Of course, in the quote above, Ali was referring to the work he did training his body day in and day out, training his mind to be able to out-think his opponents in the ring, and developing tactics and strategies suited to each opponent he faced.  But there’s another aspect of behind the scenes preparation that should be top-of-mind for boxers of all skill levels: cleaning your boxing gear. Continue reading “A Guide to Cleaning Your Boxing Gear”

9 Exercises that Will Improve Your Punching Power

Hitting the heavy bag is a key element of boxing training.

While so much of what makes a great boxer or MMA fighter is technique, speed, and mental toughness, it doesn’t hurt to have a powerful punch. No matter how the fight is going, it can turn decidedly in your favor if you can land one devastating punch.

If you’re not blessed with innate punching power, though, don’t worry. Making these nine exercises part of your boxing training program can help you improve in a big way. Continue reading “9 Exercises that Will Improve Your Punching Power”

What to Look For When Purchasing Speed Bags

man hitting speed bag

Speed bags are often associated with professional boxers, but the truth is that anyone can use them to improve their speed, timing, and endurance. Not only are these small, swivel-mounted punching bags fun to hit, they can also provide immense fitness benefits to beginners and skilled practitioners alike. As such, it’s not surprising that speed bags are a common addition to many commercial gyms and in-home gyms. If you’re currently searching for a speed bag, here is what you should be looking for: Continue reading “What to Look For When Purchasing Speed Bags”

What Boxing Gear Is Essential for a Child’s First Competition?

child boxer

Your child’s first boxing competition is always an exciting time. Kids from all over the country congregate in one city to put their skills to the test inside the ring. After logging hours of training, your children will get their chance to shine and become true champions. However, before they can step into the ring, it’s critical that they have the right boxing gear. Making sure that your children are equipped with the right gear is essential. Not only is it required by every well-known youth boxing organization, but it’s also vital to their safety. Continue reading “What Boxing Gear Is Essential for a Child’s First Competition?”

Finding the Right Punching Bag for Your In-Home Gym

punching bag

So, you’ve finally made the decision to add a punching bag to your home gym. Smart choice! Now you can reap the many benefits of boxing fitness in the comfort of your own home. Before you run out and buy the first punching bag you see, there are a few things you should consider first. For instance, how large is your space? What do you want to achieve from your boxing workouts? If you don’t do your research, you’re likely to end up with a punching bag that doesn’t meet your specific needs. To save yourself both time and money, keep the following in mind: Continue reading “Finding the Right Punching Bag for Your In-Home Gym”

5 of the Best Cardio Machines for Boxers

young man using exercise bike at the gym

Boxers know that their cardio workouts are essential to winning fights. You can have the best technique in the world and still lose if you’re feeling fatigued by the second round. Becoming a better boxer, will require incorporating a comprehensive cardio routine into your training regimen. Cardio work can help improve not only your speed and endurance but also your agility, balance, and stability. But which cardio machines are best for boxers? To get the most out of your workouts and start outlasting your opponents, here are the some of the best cardio machines that you should be using: Continue reading “5 of the Best Cardio Machines for Boxers”

Purchasing Equipment for Your Boxing Gym or Class: Rings, Bags and More

Purchasing Equipment for Your Boxing Gym or Class Rings, Bags and MoreRingside Boxing GloveIf you’re considering opening up a boxing gym or hosting boxing classes at your fitness facility, you’ll need to choose the right boxing ring and training equipment. Building a viable training facility requires a substantial investment, so you want to make every dollar count. Choosing an established, high-quality brand that you can trust is a great idea. You don’t want to gamble on these types of products, especially if it’s an area where you lack experience.

Before deciding what to buy, it’s best to do a bit of research on what to look for in each of your boxing training equipment purchases. Fortunately, we’ve done a lot of that research for you already. We’ve taken years of boxing training experience and working with various brands of equipment to figure out what works best. Let’s go through several staples in boxing gyms and see how to pick the right products.

Continue reading “Purchasing Equipment for Your Boxing Gym or Class: Rings, Bags and More”

4 Benefits of Using Weighted Gloves

When you watch any professional boxing bout, you will notice that a boxers hands are rarely down to the side. For most of the fight, the hands are either up in a guard position, protecting the boxer’s head, or out in front throwing punches. And when it comes to punches, boxers fists are moving a lot: 40 to 80 punches thrown per round (depending on fighting style and weight class).  Training with weighted gloves is one way to develop the stamina you need to keep your hands moving for 10 rounds. Weighted gloves are a valuable training tool that can also help you develop the quick hands you need to set up your most powerful punches. So, what makes them so special?

blue and red pairs weighted gloves Continue reading “4 Benefits of Using Weighted Gloves”

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?”