Have you ever wondered. . .

Why boxers in training do the same core exercises, or "drills" if you prefer, that have been done for over a century?

• They still work on the heavy-bag, the speed-bag, the double-end bag.
• They still do mirror training and shadow box. They are still all doing the boxers bounce to warm up.
• They are still jumping rope to build their coordination, and build their reflexive timing.
• They are still doing roadwork to build stamina and strengthen their cardiovascular system.
• Boxing exercises are still done using the same equipment since way back when.

Why is this so?

It has to be because it works wouldn't you think? Over the years, or I should say through the years, boxing trainers have come to depend on boxing exercises that get and keep their fighters in shape and on top of their game.

Keep in mind the boxers game is to fight in the ring against another highly trained fighter who's been doing the very same boxing exercises.

A Boxer doesn't kick or bite, or use a knife or a gun. The Boxer fights with his/her hands. A Fighter spends whole days learning how to punch someone and not be punched in return. So primitive, and yet a science.

Another question to consider, and believe me it's debated regularly among trainers and fighters, is; Does resistance training add or subtract from the overall physical conditioning and skills of the boxer?

While it is very practical for some athletes to train certain muscle groups to increase their size and strength - except for the stomach, and occasionally the shoulders and chest, (usually conditioned by push-ups), a boxer usually doesn't work on increasing muscle mass.

The reason for this, in my opinion, (and many will disagree), is because strength training with heavy resistance increases the risk of injury.

And, (this is probably the most important reason why boxers don't build muscle mass), building muscle mass does NOT help the fighter anywhere near as much as increasing his boxing skills. These are increased through, (you guessed it), Boxing Exercises.

Keep in mind, as we agreed on before, Boxing is a science. Muscles Mass is great to look at and to marvel upon, but, it doesn't do the boxer much good at all. In fact, and most trainers will agree, it slows the fighter down. Especially his hand speed. Again, punching ability, hand speed, and hand to eye coordination are all developed best by Boxing Exercises.

Many will argue that strength training is necessary to give the fighter a more powerful punch. Again, I disagree, and most trainers I am certain will disagree also.

A powerful punch is dependent on the velocity, (the speed), of the punch that is thrown. Their are other variables, but, this ONE fact is more true than all others. Fast hands mean powerful punches.

Again, that's why boxing exercises have not changed throughout all these past years/decades/even centuries!

Keep in mind. Boxing IS a science. And that is true more than anything else.

Powerful punches are developed through boxing exercises. Any other thing that anyone tries to sell you on is a hoax!

A strong punching ability is developed with training on the heavy bag and speed bag. Even jumping rope, which improves your timing, plays a very important part in throwing powerful punches. Shadow boxing alone will help you to develop powerful punches much more effectively than any expensive resistance machine.

Knowing the proper technique and "form" for each different punch in a boxers bag of tricks is the KEY to throwing fast and effective, powerful punches. Whether it's the "smokin" left hook or the straight left jab, a rockin' uppercut, or a blasting right cross - practice, practice, and still MORE practice, is the only way to throw effective, fast, and powerful punches.

Again, the boxer becomes proficient at throwing effective punches through boxing exercises. Not weight lifting or some other kind of so-called strength training. S/He learns to throw powerful punches by doing a "boxer's workout routine". There simply is NO other way!

My point is simple. A body-builder, although s/he's doing what s/he wants to do, is NOT a fighter. That's not saying that s/he couldn't be a fighter, but, the two are NOT the same.

Body-building is a science and so is boxing. But, there the two separate. You can not train to be a boxer effectively and train in body-building at the same time. One negates the effects of the other. You would just be wasting your time.

If you want to be a boxer and do boxing exercises, you don't need expensive machines to get in shape.

A Bowflex, or Weight Machine can be a lot of fun. I personally use a bowflex for a type of stretching I do to limber up and warm up muscles before I start Boxing Exercises.

Heavy Resistance Strength Training can be risky for a fighter. A boxer can't afford to have sore, swollen, and strained, muscles and ligaments. Anything that compromises the boxer's ability to punch and avoid punches is suicide for a fighter!

If your going to box you have got to do traditional boxing exercises and depend on those to get you into the shape you need to be in for the ring.

All other exercises intended to build muscle mass is a waste of time in the least, and dangerous for a fighter in the worse case scenario. If your a boxer, your job is to punch. Stick to tried and true boxing exercises to accomplish the job of making your punches effective!

In summary; You don't need anything fancy to be a boxer. You need "heart", (= true grit), and "spirit". You need to practice technique and punching form. Getting your reflexive timing and coordination in sync is far more important than building big muscles that won't do you any good at all. Don't waste your money on fancy machines unless you have money to waste.

For all you youngsters, (and you oldsters too!), that want to learn how to box - there will be plenty of opportunity to spend money on handwraps and punching bags, and gloves and protective gear, etc. Don't be hustled by the big name producers of exercise equipment that promises to make you look like "Pretty-Boy-Floyd". Stick to boxing exercises, tried and true. That's how the really tough got tough - and stay that way!

One other thing; There is no fighter in the world "Prettier" than, (you guessed it!), Muhammad Ali. I guarantee you this. In his prime, and even years past his prime, Muhammad Ali Would have taken any muscle bound - body building “Pretty-Boy-Floyd” into the ring and turned him into a “Sissy-Boy-Floyd”. Boxing exercises work! Period. Who says boxers can’t be pretty?

By the way, all you guys named Floyd please don’t take Offense. If I don’t watch what I say some guy named Floyd is going to send ME to the moon! More power to you Floyd if you are able - but you better bring some lunch! 'Cause I do Traditional Boxing Exercises! Do YOU?

Doug LaLonde writes about boxing and boxing legends. Doug is happy to be breathing in and out at; http://boxing-exercises.com/