Sports & Fitness: Performance Training, Rules & Recovery

Elite athletic performance and general fitness are sustained through structured hypertrophy strategies, sport-specific conditioning, and rigorous adherence to injury prevention protocols.

Boxers in action

How to Learn the Philly Shell Boxing Defense

The Philly shell is a riskier defense that sacrifices some coverage for the ability to counterpunch more swiftly. It requires a lot of practice before it can be used successfully in a fight.

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Two wrestlers in stance on stage

Top 10 Moves to Do in Heavyweight High School Wrestling

High school heavyweight wrestlers often resemble college wrestlers in a variety of ways. They're larger than most of their classmates, often muscled more like a college student than a high school youth. Their larger bodies make some moves and strategies untenable. They can't rely on speed the way a 105-pounder can.

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Portrait of a boxer

My Forearms Are Sore From Boxing

It's not surprising to come away from a session of boxing with sore forearms. Given the impact involved, especially in contrast to the relatively small bones and muscles in your forearms, the surprise is that the soreness isn't far more frequent and severe.

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Close-up of a lady boxer hitting a speed bag

Boxing Vs. Weight Lifting for Fat Loss

Boxing and weight lifting are similar in that both are workout regimens strongly associated with "macho" attitudes. However, the similarities stop right about at that point. Both use different training methods, schedules and exercises to achieve different fitness goals.

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The Order of Belt Colors in Kung Fu

As most people already know, kung fu schools often award their students colored belts to demonstrate their degree of training, time in rank and dedication to the art. Fewer people know that this is a relatively new part of kung fu training, a facet that became part of the art during the 20th century.

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black belt with a combat sport

The Highest Degree of Black Belt in Karate

A lot of people who aren't involved in the martial arts perceive the black belt as the highest achievement in fighting skill. However, most martial arts grant "degrees" of black belt to indicate levels of training and experience above the first-degree black belt.

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Woman hitting punching bag

Rock vs. Sand vs. Water in Freestanding Punching Bags

Freestanding punching bags use a reservoir as a counterweight to simulate the resistance and swing of a hanging bag. Theoretically, you could fill the reservoir with any substance heavier than air. In practice, most users choose to fill it with rock, sand or water. Each material has advantages and disadvantages.

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Wrestler

Long-Term Effects of Cutting Weight in Wrestling

Much of the discussion of cutting weight in wrestling -- on both the pro and con sides -- focuses on the short-term effects of the practice. However, research into eating habits and disorders indicates that cutting weight may have effects that last long after the end of your last competitive match.

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kids soccer

How Do Sports Teach Discipline?

The link between positive mental attributes and sport has been part of human culture since the earliest civilizations, as evidenced in poetry and art from ancient Greece, early historical records from China and biblical texts.

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Can Hitting a Punching Bag Increase Your Strength?

The typical fighter athlete looks strong. He has cut, well-defined muscles and competes with reasonable success against other trained and conditioned athletes. These fighters participate in a holistic program of strength training, cardio training and diet.

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Boxing couch holding pad while smiling female student kicks into it

Is Boxing a Good Body Workout?

When analyzing whether or not any exercise is "good," the real question is "good as compared to what?" In the case of boxing, this vigorous and impactful workout can get you into shape rapidly. However, it carries an intensity, violence and risk of injury that make it a poor choice for some people.

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The Health Benefits of Using a Speed Bag & Punching Bag

All speed bags are punching bags, but not all punching bags are speed bags. In boxing parlance, punching bag is the generic term applied to all such tools, but most "civilians" mean a standard heavy bag. Both heavy and speed bags can produce health benefits if used correctly as part of a systematic regimen.

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Woman boxing in gym

Can a Punching Bag Workout Help Tone Your Abs?

The popular image of a boxer or other fight sport athlete includes someone who has set of ripped and visible abdominal muscles. Much of that comes from the weight loss practices inherent in combat sports coupled with hours upon hours of cardiovascular training and attention to diet.

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Men running in ocean, low section

Can Running Make Your Neck Sore?

Runners expect a degree of soreness in the legs after a workout. In fact, they often enjoy the soreness as a "badge of honor" signifying a difficult but successful workout. However, it's also possible to experience soreness in the neck after running.

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