Flo Master’s 3 Reasons to Shadowbox With Hand Weights

As a FightCamp Trainer, I’m often asked how someone can make their punches faster and more powerful. The subject of holding weights while shadowboxing comes up a lot, and it does hold some weight … pun intended. Here are three (3) ways that boxing while holding hand weights can help improve your overall boxing performance – Bonus: All you need is a set of two-pound dumbbells to get started!

Why You Should Practice Shadowboxing With Hand Weights

1. Speed

While shadowboxing, hold a two-pound dumbbell in each hand. Punching with the additional weight provides more resistance. The resistance will strengthen the shoulder muscles, which will help you to throw faster punches.

2. Arm Endurance

Arm endurance is very important for a fighter. You do not want your arms or shoulders to get tired mid-round in a fight. Practice shadowboxing while holding two-pound dumbbells for three minutes or one round of boxing in a fight. It will be difficult at first, but over time, it will increase your arm endurance, and you will be able to complete the round with ease.

3. Cardiovascular Conditioning

Being highly conditioned is a hallmark of any successful fighter. During training, using a dumbbell can take your cardio conditioning to the next level. While holding a two-pound dumbbell in each hand, punch as fast as you can for 15 seconds and then punch at a slower pace for 30 seconds. Repeat this sequence four times.

An important misconception is that the weight of the dumbbell must be heavy. Each of my suggestions calls for two-pound dumbbells. This is all you need to build strength and endurance with these drills. If you choose heavier weights, you risk injury to your joints. Stick with lighter weights to protect yourself!

Amp Up Your Training

As you can see, anyone can implement these simple and effective drills to improve speed, endurance, and conditioning. You can do them in the gym or at home at any time. Try each drill 2-3 times per week and see your results increase. If you are a FightCamp member, you will see real-time data in the app when you complete a workout. I want to know how it changes your punch output. Send me a message in the FightCamp Facebook Community and let me know.

Train Like a Fighter

Take your workouts to the next level and train like a fighter with the at-home connected fitness solution used by world champion boxers Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather. FightCamp has everything you need to work out on your schedule, with premium boxing equipment and hundreds of on-demand strength, conditioning, kickboxing, boxing, core, and recovery classes led by real fighters.

As Mike Tyson said - “FightCamp is the next level of training!”