Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Home Sweat Home

by Doug Ward on February 22, 2012

One of the best aspects of a boxing workout is that it can happen almost anywhere.  Unlike tennis, basketball or hockey, that all require very specific playing fields or courts, boxing training can happen in many different settings.

Of course, if you are sparring, you need the right equipment to protect your hands and face, but a ring isn’t really required and you can get by with a minimal amount of bags.  So the costs of opening, starting and maintaining a gym can be fairly inexpensive.  As a result, many gyms today, officially registered USA Boxing Gyms and otherwise, are set up in homes, basements, garages and backyards across the country.  Some coaches choose to avoid the traditional gym setting, not only because of the costs of overhead and the headaches of running a full-fledged business, but as much for the convenience of having the gym as close to home as possible.  That way more time can be spent training, not packing up gear and commuting.

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Strong to the Finish

by Doug Ward on February 17, 2012

Some of history’s greatest fights were decided in the championship rounds, the final minutes of the fight, when one fighter began to fade or the other simply decided he wanted it more.  There’s an invaluable lesson to be learned from this aspect of boxing history.  The question is…which fighter you are going to be.  The answer is in how you train.

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Health Isn’t Prepackaged

by Spencer Ward on February 15, 2012

Steer clear of prepackaged, processed snacks when preparing for a fight. They are easy, but are full of sodium and preservatives that impede weight management.  Opt instead for whole fresh fruits, a handful of nuts and seeds, or a couple slices of lean turkey. Boxers are not ordinary people, so don’t eat like the majority of the population.

Spencer Ward is a Nutritionist with the Acupuncture Center in Overland Park KS.

Boxing Shorts

by Doug Ward on February 14, 2012

 

There are many bits of advice that are too long to be considered tips and too short to write an entire feature about.  In spite of that, they are still important information to remember. In no particular order and somewhat random, here they are…

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Jabs from Blydell – Balance is Key

by Blydell Martin on February 9, 2012

Balance is key in fighting. You want to stay on the balls of your feet, not on your heels. This way you will always be in punching position and able to respond quickly and move easier. It also allows you to rotate your feet generating punching power.

Blydell Martin is currently a boxing trainer with TITLE Boxing Club in Overland Park, KS.

A Hunger Within – Part 2

by Spencer Ward February 7, 2012

In a previous article we discussed the basic mechanics our body uses to properly utilize the food we eat and the nutrients that food provides. Knowing how this system works and how to use it to your advantage will help you design your own pre-fight meal.  The goal would be to develop a pre-fight routine [...]

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Crush Them Like Paper

by Doug Ward February 6, 2012

To build grip strength, lay a large piece of paper, wrapping paper or a newspaper on a table (the heavier stock the better).  With one hand, begin crumbling it into a wad until you have compacted it into a tightly wound ball.  Repeat and recycle. Doug Ward is the President and Trainer for the Underground [...]

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How’s It Hanging?

by Doug Ward February 2, 2012

Walk into any gym and you will see a variety of bags, hung in different ways, from varying heights, at a wide range of tension levels and anchor points.  Most are mounted or anchored without much thought about anything more than being sure they are secure.  In actuality the height at which you hang your [...]

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The Weakest Link

by Doug Ward February 2, 2012

Train your weaknesses.  It’s everyone’s natural tendency to gravitate towards what comes naturally, what they like the most and what they excel at.  Focus on your weaknesses.  It may be harder and a little more unpleasant, but if you don’t pay attention to what you’re lacking…someone else might. Doug Ward is the President and Trainer [...]

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Rest and Recharge

by Doug Ward February 2, 2012

Training intensity is crucial to success, but so it rest and recuperation.  Too little sleep, 4-6 hours, can be detrimental to your stamina and endurance.  Getting 8-10 hours of shut-eye accelerates the release of the hormones that improve recovery time.  It also improves your reflexes and the ability to give it your all in the [...]

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