Boxing is a sport like no other. There are body contact sports but none has the intense work to rest ratio used by boxers. They are required to expend huge amounts of energy over short periods of time. They rest for a short time between rounds but then must begin the process over. To display boxing strength, the fighter needs to be able to produce sustained power for up to two minutes or more at a time. And to do this, plenty of thought and preparation must go into the training and conditioning schedule.
Sources of Energy
To achieve high energy in short but repeated stages – as in several rounds of a boxing match – the boxer burns anaerobic energy. This occurs when sugars in the body, such as glucose, are changed or converted into energy. The result is a build up of lactic acid sometimes known as milk acid. Any athlete, and especially a boxer, who uses a large amount of energy in a short time – sprinters are another example – will have a build up in their lactate levels. This is not a bad thing in itself but a boxer needs endurance in their performance and must, in training, prepare for the time when their anaerobic capacity is required. In other words, boxing conditioning drills are very important!
But a boxer also requires aerobic activity and to concentrate on one energy source will likely mean serious problems in the ring. Aerobic exercise, which is common to endurance athletes, is also required by boxers. A fight may be over quickly but many go the distance and the aerobic capacity of the boxer provides energy for endurance. If an opponent goes on the attack, the other boxer needs an instant and powerful response which is fueled by their anaerobic energy.
Aerobic and Anaerobic
So to get the right conditioning, a boxer needs to develop a capacity for both anaerobic and aerobic energy supplies. This means a variety of strength and endurance conditioning which can be achieved using a series of exercises known as boxing abs. The word abs is short for abdominal from abdomen. So any boxer worth his salt will be able to take punches to his abdomen, to absorb the punishment but to then stay in the fight and go on the attack. Obviously a high overall fitness level is needed – and as addition to your boxing conditioning routine, exercises which strengthen and prepare the abdominal muscles for boxing.
Boxing Endurance
Of course it’s easier to say than do but the best way for any boxer to avoid taking hits to his abdominal area is to avoid the punches and so side-stepping, back-pedaling and other moves are essential. But even the best boxers are hit and so adding strength to your abs is a core prerequisite.
And speaking of ‘core’, this is the area of the boxer’s body which most needs attention to develop both strength and endurance. There are as many exercises, with and without gym equipment, as there are fighters. Getting professional advice is essential as doing the wrong exercise or doing the right exercise the wrong way is going to harm your progress in the boxing ring.
Good advice, knowing about endurance and strength and the right boxing abs activities will enable you to plan a terrific schedule to advance your boxing career.
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