Success in any fitness program is an elusive moving target. There are many exercise devotees out there who continuously take aim. However, few consistently achieve a solid hit, when it comes to their fitness goals. Success demands focus, balance, consistency and discipline. It also requires the ability and dedication to continuously overcome obstacles. Endurance athletes [...]
Styles Make Fights
January 28, 2010 by ·
An old cliché in boxing states that Styles Make Fights. No two boxers are the same. Each fighter possesses his own unique style. There are boxers, punchers, and runners, just to name a few. There are tall, short, muscular, and thin fighters, each capable of utilizing a unique style towards victory. Many young boxers harp [...]
Be “Smart” When Training
January 28, 2010 by ·
I’ve received several emails from individuals regarding the specifics of a boxing workout. I appreciate the interaction and encourage it. I would like to emphasize however that no single workout satisfies the needs of all boxers. Each fighter has unique strengths and weaknesses. A tall, rangy boxer who circles the ring will train differently than [...]
Speed Bag Basics for the Beginner
January 28, 2010 by ·
Speed Bag Basics for the Beginner The speed bag can be used creatively to enhance all your punching skills, including: Hand-eye coordination Rhythm and timing You'll need both to deliver faster and powerful repetitive punching combinations while moving your fists shorter distances than for "normal" punching. The key to this is understanding how the bag [...]
Heavy Bag Hitting The Ultimate De-Stressor
January 28, 2010 by ·
Pop! Pop! Pow! Wham! Whoomp! As you walk into the gym, you hear the familiar sound of boxers hammering the heavy bag. Pop! Pop! Pow! Wham! Whoomp! Sounds like a double jab, straight right, hook, uppercut combination. The sounds are easy to recognize. The “pop” is the snapping crack of the jab. The “pow” is [...]
The Importance of Sparring
January 28, 2010 by ·
We often study advancements in sports-science in an attempt to enhance our training routines. Through science, we can better understand how and why our bodies react to various movements. For example, we now recognize that a proper strength-training program can increase power and speed. The myth that weight training reduces flexibility and range of motion [...]
Intensifying The Heavy Bag
November 24, 2009 by ·
The video below includes two conditioning drills intended to teach the athlete to fight through fatigue. Skill should never be intentionally abandoned, but during periods of extreme fatigue, the athlete must be prepared to continue fighting despite skill deprivation (which can occur when all three energy systems are drained). By training to fight through extreme [...]
The Mental Aspect of Boxing
November 24, 2009 by ·
Boxing is perhaps the most challenging sport of all. A boxer requires a unique blend of speed, strength, and endurance. In addition to these qualities, he must stand up to the punishment inflicted by an equally matched opponent. To withstand the inevitable pain and fatigue, the boxer must possess a mind that is as tough [...]
Boxing With A Poker Face
November 12, 2009 by ·
The card game of poker involves deception and concealed emotions. A player will bet that the value of his cards is greater than that of the hands held by others, in which each subsequent player must either equal or raise the bet, or drop out. Card players are said to wear a poker face, meaning [...]
The Right Way To Train For Boxing
October 30, 2009 by ·
Boxing is often labeled as old-school in nature. The perseverance and mental fortitude required from a successful fighter is unique from other sports. When a boxer demonstrates courage and tenacity inside the ring, he is often labeled as a "throwback" to the golden days of boxing. Unfortunately, this old-school mentality often causes more harm than [...]