Tight Hips / Throwing Hooks

**NearHypnos** · 05-24-2016, 08:00 AM

Whats wrong with yoga? Gotta do what you gotta do man. I came in here to say stretch and then some more stretching but you already know that. Try yoga for a couple months that might help. Might help relax or re focus you..and being loose and relaxed goes a LOOOOONG way. Stretch and fight/train within yourself and don't feel like you're in a hurry. Keep your breathing calm and steady and you'll eventually find your leverage and what works best for you. It's only been 18 months...it takes some people years to discover how to torque their bodies and other time more years after that to make it feel natural.

I don't know the extent of your "tightness" so it's hard to recommend things and at 18 months you should already have a good fitness base. Maybe try compensating by using the rest of your body? Try using your toes to dig in, pivot, power through your quads/hamstrings into your core and following the movement? So work on your toes (running in sand if that's possibility and lot's of explosive lower body movements..sprints..slow and deliberate heavy bag work, etc.

If you have some sort of deficiency somewhere you'll just have to keep trying to find a way to make it work for you.

I had an uncle who always had off rhythm and that Carl Froch like clumsyness to him and no matter what he did he always claimed to not be able to move his hips as powerfully as the rest of his body..he joined a dancing class with his wife (though not with the intention of helping him in the gym..) and claims it helped him...though they did that s hit for like 2 years? Lol. He seemed I guess a little lighter on the pivot/lead foot ...maybe? but...I dunno.. If he says it made him feel more balanced I guess whatever works. 2+ years and he lost about 15 pounds from the extra workload so it coulda just been him being more fit...... And dancing might not be an option for you..

Do what you gotta do man.

**Boxfan83** · 05-24-2016, 10:56 AM

I have to agree with NearHypnos, whats wrong with yoga? lol, I know it sounds funny but even Juan Manuel Marquez does it and he turns his body into a punch better than most in boxing. I understand you may not want to enroll in a class but you can always youtube it and do it at home. But if you are really dead set against it, get a broom stick, place it behind your neck with your arms holding it in place over each side, and rotate at the hips. I would do this after a workout probably in the sauna because you will be more relaxed in your muscles and joints, its pretty good on the core too.

**Adrrriaaaan** · 05-24-2016, 08:46 PM

Originally posted by NearHypnos

Whats wrong with yoga? Gotta do what you gotta do man. I came in here to say stretch and then some more stretching but you already know that. Try yoga for a couple months that might help. Might help relax or re focus you..and being loose and relaxed goes a LOOOOONG way. Stretch and fight/train within yourself and don't feel like you're in a hurry. Keep your breathing calm and steady and you'll eventually find your leverage and what works best for you. It's only been 18 months...it takes some people years to discover how to torque their bodies and other time more years after that to make it feel natural.

I don't know the extent of your "tightness" so it's hard to recommend things and at 18 months you should already have a good fitness base. Maybe try compensating by using the rest of your body? Try using your toes to dig in, pivot, power through your quads/hamstrings into your core and following the movement? So work on your toes (running in sand if that's possibility and lot's of explosive lower body movements..sprints..slow and deliberate heavy bag work, etc.

If you have some sort of deficiency somewhere you'll just have to keep trying to find a way to make it work for you.

I had an uncle who always had off rhythm and that Carl Froch like clumsyness to him and no matter what he did he always claimed to not be able to move his hips as powerfully as the rest of his body..he joined a dancing class with his wife (though not with the intention of helping him in the gym..) and claims it helped him...though they did that s hit for like 2 years? Lol. He seemed I guess a little lighter on the pivot/lead foot ...maybe? but...I dunno.. If he says it made him feel more balanced I guess whatever works. 2+ years and he lost about 15 pounds from the extra workload so it coulda just been him being more fit...... And dancing might not be an option for you..

Do what you gotta do man.

It's great advice, thank you. lol, I don't have anything necessarily against yoga, it's just boring!! But you're right - gotta do what you've gotta do.

I find myself overcompensating in other ways - switching stance because one side feels tight with all the weight on my back foot OR worse, throwing shots from chest instead of my chin to get that extra leverage.

I can see how dancing helps actually - footwork, timing, head movement! Might give it a shot. Haha.

Thanks again.

**Adrrriaaaan** · 05-24-2016, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by Boxfan83

I have to agree with NearHypnos, whats wrong with yoga? lol, I know it sounds funny but even Juan Manuel Marquez does it and he turns his body into a punch better than most in boxing. I understand you may not want to enroll in a class but you can always youtube it and do it at home. But if you are really dead set against it, get a broom stick, place it behind your neck with your arms holding it in place over each side, and rotate at the hips. I would do this after a workout probably in the sauna because you will be more relaxed in your muscles and joints, its pretty good on the core too.

Thank you. Yoga is just a bit boring but I'm not majorly against it :-) The stick thing is a good one, thanks.

**AlexKid** · 05-24-2016, 09:34 PM

Originally posted by Adrrriaaaan

Hello,

I've been boxing for about 18 months and have always struggled with tight hips / hip flexors.

I feel like on my right side I can't quite swing my hip around to give me enough power when I'm throwing a cross. Equally I feel that my hooks are weaker than they could be because my hip flexors feel very tight.

I stretch and stretch but really haven't found this to be particularly effective. Putting the road work in 3-4 times a week probably isn't helping either.

Anyone have any tips? I'm resigned to the fact I'm going to have to do yoga but I'll avoid it like the plague if I can!!

Thank you in advance.

Give up now, ull never be a champion

**Zaroku** · 05-24-2016, 09:50 PM

Originally posted by Adrrriaaaan

Hello,

I've been boxing for about 18 months and have always struggled with tight hips / hip flexors.

I feel like on my right side I can't quite swing my hip around to give me enough power when I'm throwing a cross. Equally I feel that my hooks are weaker than they could be because my hip flexors feel very tight.

I stretch and stretch but really haven't found this to be particularly effective. Putting the road work in 3-4 times a week probably isn't helping either.

Anyone have any tips? I'm resigned to the fact I'm going to have to do yoga but I'll avoid it like the plague if I can!!

Thank you in advance.

Yoga is great, look at other non standard ways to stay flexible, have you tried massage? I used to use a hot water bottle to bring heat to an area, then stretch. But stretch each part of your body.

**Adrrriaaaan** · 05-24-2016, 10:11 PM

Originally posted by Zaroku

Yoga is great, look at other non standard ways to stay flexible, have you tried massage? I used to use a hot water bottle to bring heat to an area, then stretch. But stretch each part of your body.

Never tried heat actually - always iced afterwards...

Thank you.

**Zaroku** · 05-24-2016, 10:15 PM

Originally posted by Adrrriaaaan

Never tried heat actually - always iced afterwards...

Thank you.

It increases blood flow, and relaxes the region.

Peace!

**Zaroku** · 05-25-2016, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by AlexKid

Give up now, ull never be a champion

And you will be a champion?

Tight Hips / Throwing Hooks