Over the past 25 weeks,ย Sheffield Hallam Universityย have delivered a world class program to 20 local amateurs taking part in theย Yorkshire Boxing Sport Science program.

The program consisted of 2 training sessions per week involving strength, movement and sprint training as well as gruelling conditioning using treadmills, circuits and the infamous โ€˜curveโ€™ machine.

Fitter

We improved the fitness of the boxers using high intensity interval training and circuits.

The Yorkshire hopefuls usedย โ€˜the curveโ€™ย to perform maximal effort sprint intervals with an extended rest. The longer rest intervals are put in place as the aim of this training phase is to exercise as hard and as fast as possible.

Circuits can challenge the ability to perform aย variety of multi-joint movements under fatigue, which is quite relevant to most sports. Furthermore, we put in circuits as it provides training variation for boxers experiencing high volumes of very similar training types, this will help improve performance and reduce injury.

Results include improved aerobic capacity and higher running speeds โ€“ one of the impressive resultsย was fromย Tommy Frank who improved his maximal running speed 3 km/h!

Stronger

The strength and conditioning program consisted of multiple stages of learningย foundational movements progressing towards fullย compound lifts. Most boxers started to use exercises such asย barbell box squat andย sumo deadliftย allows an athlete to perform squat and hinge patterns with an increased weight load whilst still learning the technique. Also, a range of core and boxing specific exercises helped boxers transfer strength gains into a moreย explosive punch.

Results include some of the boxers improving as much asย 11% in jump height, and punches reaching up to speeds ofย 23.5 km/h!

Education

On the launch night in May, we wanted to create a great learning experience for coaches and boxers, using informative presentations and practical workshops. We used this opportunity to give them an insight to what the program had to offer. We provided boxers with aย home running program, helping them understand how to manage their own program.

Each session, we took time to educate the boxers on strength and conditioning training principles to further athletesโ€™ knowledge and understanding.

Winning

The old saying โ€œHard work pays offโ€ can certainly be applied for the Yorkshire boxing program, with the boxers transferring their gym work to great results in the ring. We have had impressive wins on club shows, 5 Yorkshire champions, National semi-finalist and Junior Development finalist.

The stand out achievement was fromย Harris Akbar, who won aย Gold medal at the Youth Commonwealth games.

Interested in training with Boxing Science? Join the program TODAY!!

Contact Danny Wilson atย D.Wilson@shu.ac.uk