Running...Whatcha reckon?

[jlaw]

Looking for people's opinion on Fight training. If you are preparing for a fight or competition, would you put running into your training program?
When i do run, I am always wondering if my time would be better spent hitting bags/practicing combos/sparring etc...? What do you think?

[dkidd]

Just look at what all the top fighters in practically every discipline do. Boxers, kickboxers, wrestlers, mma fighters all use running and its dirivitives as a training aid. Remember that hitting a bag too much can be harmful too causing impact injuries to your wrists and ankles. Most boxers don't obver do the running a good recommended amount is three miles preferably in the morning before eating and remember 'good runners are essential kit.
Later Men

[Deleted]

Personally, I hate running. I think it's boring, and I ALWAYS get shin splints. (I know, overdevlopped calf etc.).
I do think it's good training though, can do nothing but help your cardio, and is especially useful if you need to lose weight.
If I am running, I like to do sprints, to help being explosive, of incorporate a certain amount of sprinting into a long run. That way you can take your time when you need to iin a competition (ie., waiting around and warming up), and you'll still have the energy to explode into action as soon as you jump in the ring.
I wonder if trying to do two minute sprints would transfer into the ring, and prevent that tiredness that tends to creep in half way through later rounds?

[Deleted]

"COWABUNGA O' GRIOBHTHA" I like to jog at least once a week even if its only 15mins or 30mins max, defo opens up the lungs and burns the legs. sprints i wud do every 2nd week if i was working explosiveness.

[dkidd]

On the whole subject of fight training here's what Benny the Jet Urquidez recommends. Running in the morning before breakfast. Stretching and technical training at lunchtime and sparring and or padwork with someone who really knows how to hold them in the evening. Six days a week one day to rest slowly increasing intensity of the workout on the six weeks before and slowly dropping the intensity in the last four days and nothing but a stretch the day before.
Conditioning training such as abs and leg conditioning only to be done every second day. Worked for him so who can argue eh?

[mikeym]

Guess it depends on what you trying to achieve? I always try and get one 30 min session in a week. I find it helps me loosen out after heavy lifting. It is easy to get bored but so long as I have tunes pumping away in my ears, time passes by quicker.

I always find music can add give you that added stimulus if your starting to wain a little. Which gives me an idea for a new thread ;-)

To quote Declan above .. "remember 'good runners are essential kit." ... So very true.

[R. Devane]

yep, defo. Running is a must but a lot of fighters overdo it and run 3 to 5 days a week and only spar once or twice a week. Sport specific training is very important (ie. bag work, shadow boxing, sparring etc.) but running is important too. Like Mike I run once a week, maybe twice but no more because too much of it will stiffen the legs and joints. I would also seperate explosive running (sprints & plyometrics) and endurance running to seperate days. When training for a fight or competition or event, running gives you the time to mentally rehearse and fine tune how you wish to perform. I really have to get back to swimming - anyone into swimming for training?

[Deleted]

I used to swim a lot actually, before I started Martial Arts. It's tough training, they took the races pretty seriously too in my local pool. I stopped when I broke my leg, but that's something I'd love to get back to for fitness training. Do you reckon swimming could be a substitute for running? Would it be as effective in the same way? If so, I perfer swimming all the way.

[R. Devane]

Has to be as well as running. It's effective in a totally different way. Yep, it's very hard to juggle everything - which gives me an idea for a new thread - training programs.

[Kiefer.c]

i hate the thoughts of running but i actually enjoy it!it definitly improves your fighting skills and makes you super fit!i really like swimming but it is really hard as robert said to juggle them all about..i wouldnt run more than once a week i'd rather hit bags/pads or spar..some fighters make the mistake of running more than fighting.thats why they lose!duh

[johngolden]

Right first time post here by me, in regards to the swimming,
As robert said its effective in a totally different way, depends on where you do your running but in general there is a significant increase in impact on your knees and shin splints can occur very easily if you dont have the propper running gear. (Cross trainers) Asics for example.
Swimming is much more of a full body work out and your loosining up many more muscles, and i'd say you have enough impact training with bag work/pads so a good 3/4 an hour session in the pool would be ideal for loosining up. And really clearing your head. No Distractions!!!!

[mikeym]

Hi John, Welcome to the forum! Agreed running like any other sport is easy to cause injuries. Ie hamstrings if you do not stretch properly also shin splints as you mentioned if not using heel to toe motion correctly. Swimming is a fantastic workout, no denying it but.... how do you stop your headphones from getting wet :-)

[johngolden]

Cheers Mikey,
ha ha, awh ya thats an easy one. Get a big massive float, just enough to cover your body so your arms can go in the water and your legs, SORTED!!! Still swimming. you'l have to lift your neck a bit but sher we can say its just a strecthing exercise while in motion.

[Deleted]

Good to see some new members alright. Stick the old mp3 on a lilo with your water and your boxing gloves and you're away in a hack.

[Deleted]

what about footpads, gumshield etc... On a serious note... anyone ever run with one of those sweatsuits, they look like tinfoil and make you sweat more. Bring back the silk tracksuits THE 90's.

[Deleted]

Those tracksuits are WHOPPER.