Lead arm/shoulder gets tired too quickly

[andy69]

Hi, Im pretty new to this site and boxing in general. WHen im just doing my basic boxing class, shadow boxing, hitting the bag, pressups etc etc my lead jabbing arm really really burns in the shoulder. I know this is probably because im new to boxing but is there any way to improve this?How long on average will it take for me to be able to go longer without trying to just hold my guard up.... never mind the punching!

[Sugarj]

Hi, Im pretty new to this site and boxing in general. WHen im just doing my basic boxing class, shadow boxing, hitting the bag, pressups etc etc my lead jabbing arm really really burns in the shoulder. I know this is probably because im new to boxing but is there any way to improve this?How long on average will it take for me to be able to go longer without trying to just hold my guard up.... never mind the punching!

You've got to be very fit, boxing isn't easy.

The more you practice, the easier it'll be and the fitter you'll become.

I'd have thought that after a month or two of solid training perhaps 3 times a week you should be able to shadow box, hit the pads or heavy bag without having that horrible feeling in the lead arm.

[New England]

Hi, Im pretty new to this site and boxing in general. WHen im just doing my basic boxing class, shadow boxing, hitting the bag, pressups etc etc my lead jabbing arm really really burns in the shoulder. I know this is probably because im new to boxing but is there any way to improve this?How long on average will it take for me to be able to go longer without trying to just hold my guard up.... never mind the punching!

are you using too much arm for your jab?

give it a nice step. you want to be doing most of the work with your back foot when you throw a jab.

your front foot will step forward after you push off with your back foot
and then your back foot will slide forward to keep you in balance

a jab should naturally leave you circling to the left.


and as sugar j said, if you are new to boxing or anything athletic you're going to get sore.

if its the muscles getting sore i wouldnt worry about them right away. just make sure you pace yourself so you dont have the problem when you're sparring with a round or so to go!

if your shoulders are feeling pain in the joints (the socket) then you need to take time off. that can evntually lead to overtraining and serious // long term injury

muscle soreness is a part of conditioning
over time they will change to deal with the demands you put on them (like any other part of your body for any of the things you do.)
muscles break down when you work them hard. if you had a small enough microscope you would probably see tiny tears in the fibers. they get filled back up with good stuff flowing in your blood when you rest and it builds them stronger the next time around.


good luck and listen to your coaches! they will know what to do.

[andy69]

You've got to be very fit, boxing isn't easy.

The more you practice, the easier it'll be and the fitter you'll become.

I'd have thought that after a month or two of solid training perhaps 3 times a week you should be able to shadow box, hit the pads or heavy bag without having that horrible feeling in the lead arm.

Thanks mate. I am pretty fit to be honest but I know boxing is a different type of fitness. I didnt realise how hard it was until I started. Maybe im just not used to holding my hands up for so long and using my arms for that type of work. I hope your right and I shall be ok by January. Thanks

[andy69]

are you using too much arm for your jab?

give it a nice step. you want to be doing most of the work with your back foot when you throw a jab.

your front foot will step forward after you push off with your back foot
and then your back foot will slide forward to keep you in balance

a jab should naturally leave you circling to the left.


and as sugar j said, if you are new to boxing or anything athletic you're going to get sore.

if its the muscles getting sore i wouldnt worry about them right away. just make sure you pace yourself so you dont have the problem when you're sparring with a round or so to go!

if your shoulders are feeling pain in the joints (the socket) then you need to take time off. that can evntually lead to overtraining and serious // long term injury

muscle soreness is a part of conditioning
over time they will change to deal with the demands you put on them (like any other part of your body for any of the things you do.)
muscles break down when you work them hard. if you had a small enough microscope you would probably see tiny tears in the fibers. they get filled back up with good stuff flowing in your blood when you rest and it builds them stronger the next time around.


good luck and listen to your coaches! they will know what to do.

Thanks mate I shall give it a go. After last night this is the first time I have felt that feeling in my shoulder muscle where you know you have given it a good workout so hopefully it will repair itself back alot stronger! Thanks again

[jaded]

Hi, Im pretty new to this site and boxing in general. WHen im just doing my basic boxing class, shadow boxing, hitting the bag, pressups etc etc my lead jabbing arm really really burns in the shoulder. I know this is probably because im new to boxing but is there any way to improve this?How long on average will it take for me to be able to go longer without trying to just hold my guard up.... never mind the punching!

Funny how heavy your arms feel after you throw to many punches. People don't realize how much conditioning it takes to be a boxer...you watch those guys go 12 rounds and they make it look so easy...and then you try it and can't believe how tired you get after 1 round. Stick with it and be careful not to try to progress to fast or you will do damage...repetitive stress injury. It takes a lot of dedication to become a boxer. You will never watch a fight the same way again.

[SonnyDempsey]

Thanks mate. I am pretty fit to be honest but I know boxing is a different type of fitness. I didnt realise how hard it was until I started. Maybe im just not used to holding my hands up for so long and using my arms for that type of work. I hope your right and I shall be ok by January. Thanks

Andy, it's simple. Your arms are getting tired because you're throwing arm punches. Step into the jab and flex your knees when throwing the jab. The jab isn't supposed to be an arm punch, contrary to what you might read / hear.

Step into it, use your body and relax everything. Don't just extend your arm hard from your shoulder. You're not lifting weights here, you're punching. Use your entire body.

[IronBoxer]

Boxing requires a great degree of muscular strength, speed and endurance. Without these you;ll tire very quickly and nothing is worse than being tired in the middle of a sparring or training session. To get fit you don't need any hi-tech fancy stuff, just the basics: roadwork and calisthenics plus whatever else you're doing. Get up early in the morning and run at least 3.5 miles minimum 4 times a day, this will build your stamina and improve/build your aerobic capacity while shedding fat.

As far as strength is concerned forget all this stuff about lifting weights, that you can do later on down the road if you choose. Do lots of push ups, pull ups, burpees, duck walks and other intense calisthenics and you'll see how much stronger and durable your body becomes. Do these 3 times a week without going to failure(it'll setback your gains). I recommend these because since its your own body-weight you won't lose speed.

Good luck

[Walt Liquor]

To strength your shoulders and keep your hands up for defense better, shadowbox with 6-8 lb dumbells in your hands. No punches, just use footwork and defensive moves (parrys/blocks/upperbody movement). That'll work wonders for building strength for keeping your guard up.

[T.Horton]

Hi, Im pretty new to this site and boxing in general. WHen im just doing my basic boxing class, shadow boxing, hitting the bag, pressups etc etc my lead jabbing arm really really burns in the shoulder. I know this is probably because im new to boxing but is there any way to improve this?How long on average will it take for me to be able to go longer without trying to just hold my guard up.... never mind the punching!

without having yet read the responses, this is pretty common. it could just be that you're pushing your jab instead of flicking and moving. or it could be calcification in your shoulders due to an injury not yet heeled (i got it from baseball and judo) but i am guessing that you are a young man and just need to work on proper form.