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Boxing Workout PDF
Boxing Workout PDF
How to Be Ali
The boxing workout that transformed Will Smith into the Greatest of All
Time
THE WORKOUTS
ROADWORK
The boxing workout is the perfect combination of cardiovascular and strength
training. Not only does it build stamina and muscle, it's a guaranteed way to burn off
stress -- and it teaches skills that could prove invaluable in the subway. Or at an
Irish wedding. Here, veteran boxing trainer Darrell Foster, who has transformed
actors including Will Smith, Ving Rhames, and Woody Harrelson into serious
boxers, presents his regimen for Men's Journal.
"Boxers are built on the road," says Foster, so begin every workout day with a
morning run, which builds cardiovascular endurance and burns fat. On a flat route,
run two to four miles three times a week at a comfortable speed. If you have a heart-
rate monitor, use it to stay in your aerobic zone; otherwise, maintain a pace at
which you can hold a conversation.
RING WORK
The core of the boxing workout takes place in and around the ring. Do the following
exercises after your run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. First, learn the basic
punches, working with a trainer to refine your technique. Boxers refer to punches by
numerical systems; Foster uses the following when working with actors. Get in a
boxer's stance with your feet shoulder-width apart, your left foot forward, and your
knees slightly flexed. (These instructions are for a right-handed boxer; adjust
accordingly if you're a lefty.)
1. Left jab: Take a small step forward with your left foot and explode your left fist out
from your chin. Rotate your fist so your palm is facing the floor.
2. Straight right: Throw this right-hand punch like a jab, but rotate your right hip to
add power.
3. Left hook to head: Turn your hips to the left, plant your rear foot, pivot on your
front foot, roll your shoulder, and release the punch, keeping your elbow bent at 90
degrees until contact.
4. Right hook to body: Throw this punch like a hook to the head, but pivot on the
ball of your rear foot and land the punch lower.
5. Left hook to body: Throw this punch like the left hook to the head, but land it
lower on the body.
6. Right uppercut: Bend your knees and tuck your right elbow into your hip. From
this position, thrust with your legs and drive your punch upward.
7. Left uppercut: Like a right uppercut, but tuck your right elbow and punch with
your left hand.
8. Right hook to head: Like the left hook to head, but from the other side.
STRENGTH TRAINING
Lifting weights builds muscle mass -- and it's becoming a more widely accepted
part of a boxing regimen. For each exercise, complete one set with a comfortable
weight, then increase the amount for the next two sets so that you reach muscle
fatigue at the end of the last rep.
MONDAY - Chest and triceps: For each exercise, do three sets of ten reps each.
1. Bench press. 2. Incline bench press. 3. Shoulder press with dumbbells. 4. Lat
raise with dumbbells. 5. Triceps press with barbell. 6. Triceps extension.
WEDNESDAY - Back and biceps: For each exercise, do three sets of ten reps
each.
1. Lat pull-down. 2. Seated row. 3. Shoulder shrug with dumbbells. 4. Biceps curl
with barbell. 5. Lumbar extension.
FRIDAY - Legs: For each exercise, do three sets of twelve reps each.
1. Leg press. 2. Inverted leg press (done on a machine). 3. Thigh extension. 4.
Hamstring curl. 5. Calf raise. 6. Squat.