Swimming?

[Jovanny]

Is swimming good for boxing? My situation is I'm a beginner boxer with beginner meaning I didn't do any sports for, like, 10 years or more. I'm in a bad shape (though I'm lucky to be skinny instead of fat which looks a little better), although it got significantly better after a month of boxing. I hit the gym 2 or 3 times per week and I was thinking about adding another routine apart from working out at home. Now, swimming would be good for me because I used to like it and there's a good pool close to where I live. I'm not much of a runner even though I consider it also to get better at boxing. So, my question is if swimming is a good side activity for a boxer, compared to others...

Thanks in advance!
J.

[Richard P]

Good on the joints and a good all over workout

It cant hurt as a newbie amateur

However, their is very little similarities between boxing and swimming (swimming is good to control breathing), i would say maybe as you advance then cut back on it (sport specific training)

Sport Specific Training means that you use similar mechanics and motion in your training that you do in your sport, some new wave trainers will say whats the point of smashing out mile after mile on the road running. When you get in the ring you dont exactly run 10K at a steady pace. Where as an old school trainer will swear by road work.

Their are arguments for and against everything.

My tips, dont over analyse, your not a high level Olympian or pro, keep things simple. I would spend 80-90% of your training at this stage boxing, learning your footwork, master the basics, and then when things get boring, start to mix in the odd swimming session. all the time you are out of the boxing gym, your not working on your fundamentals at this stage.

Pros can go running, swimming, chop down a tree etc, thats because theyve spent 1000's of hours perfecting their technique

Chris Eubank once showed a group of novices how to slip and throw a uppercut at same time. afterwards he said, 'practice it, over and over again and after youve done it about 10,000 times, you will then start to be fractionally better at that shot'

[HedonisticFrog]

Right now you should mainly work on skill and technique. Conditioning can come later. Working the bag, doing drills, and sparring are great cardio and youll be learning to box better as well.

Personally i never even ran, i just went all out doing interval training on the heavy bag for cardio. It also helps work on maintaining good technique while fatigued.

Doing running and swimming wont build the muscular endurance you need to throw punches as well. It doesnt matter how strong your heart is if your shoulders are giving out.

[AddiX]

I tried swimming when I boxed, I didn't find any benefit in it at all tbh. I actually felt like it was hurting my training in the gym tbh....

If you have joint issues from running, I'd do stair master over running.

[t.n]

Swimming is a great cardio workout from my experience from other sports and good replacement for running if you can't run.

[Boxfan83]

Is swimming good for boxing? My situation is I'm a beginner boxer with beginner meaning I didn't do any sports for, like, 10 years or more. I'm in a bad shape (though I'm lucky to be skinny instead of fat which looks a little better), although it got significantly better after a month of boxing. I hit the gym 2 or 3 times per week and I was thinking about adding another routine apart from working out at home. Now, swimming would be good for me because I used to like it and there's a good pool close to where I live. I'm not much of a runner even though I consider it also to get better at boxing. So, my question is if swimming is a good side activity for a boxer, compared to others...

Thanks in advance!
J.

I always boast swimming to every fighter. The trick to swimming (just like footwork) is the form. Swim laps and extend your arms on every stroke. Swimming I think not only helps with the gas tank but it helps you loosen up.
A lot of people especially in the beginning have problems letting their hands go whether it be to nerves or muscle. Swimming will help with that.

Also you mentioned you are skinny. Swimming unlike other forms of cardio stops burning calories the second you stop. So if you are not trying to get any skinnier, swimming is also ideal.

[Boxfan83]

Right now you should mainly work on skill and technique. Conditioning can come later. Working the bag, doing drills, and sparring are great cardio and youll be learning to box better as well.

Personally i never even ran, i just went all out doing interval training on the heavy bag for cardio. It also helps work on maintaining good technique while fatigued.

Doing running and swimming wont build the muscular endurance you need to throw punches as well. It doesnt matter how strong your heart is if your shoulders are giving out.

Do you jump rope?

[HedonisticFrog]

Do you jump rope?

I dont jump rope. I never had my legs be the weak point.

[cheddarsblocks]

I believe, a good substitute for running as an exercise for boxing is swimming , it can give a full body workout.

[LillianFord]

swimming will help to gain some health.