Ever notice how you tire too quickly while practicing your boxing combinations during class? Perhaps it’s your breathing technique. Yes, the simple act of breathing is a subconscious act. But in some cases, when performing certain activities, we become more mindful of our breath and learn how to control it in order to maintain even breathe and optimum control of the situation. In boxing, there is a technique. And the key is to breathe slow and evenly.
Beginning boxers often breathe too quickly or they hold their breath. Either of these will make you tire more quickly. The most important thing to remember about breathing when boxing is to breathe slowly. That might sound like a contradiction since you often find yourself moving quickly in the ring but controlling your breathing will work wonders for you. If you slow down your breath, you can keep your energy up longer.
Now, when sparring, hitting the heavy bag, or shadow boxing, you still want to breathe in slowly, preferably through your nose slowly and evenly. The only difference is that you let out your breath differently during the explosive actions. When you punch, let out a short, quick breath, while not letting out all of your lungs air. One short burst of air for each explosive movement. When not moving explosively, your breathing will be a slow in-out, in-out. When you engage, you breathe slowly in, then out-out-out with each strike, then slowly in again.
Another tip to maintain even breaths: train yourself to breathe in through your nose- as mentioned briefly above. Breathing through your nose, instead of your mouth, has numerous benefits. It helps control your breathing and provides for a more even flow of air, in and out of your lungs. More controlled breathing will help you relax and prevents your brain from setting off any alarm bells that might interfere with your body’s natural ability to cope with stress and pressure. Your nostrils also help warm and filter the air you breathe, making it easier for the oxygen to reach your lungs and be distributed through the cardiovascular system.
It’s one thing to go through life, not fully understanding how every part of your body can work for or against you, depending on how you use it. But, as a fighter, whose entire body is involved in a risk or reward proposition every time you enter the ring, nothing can be taken for granted.
Curious to learn more and to become a better boxer? Check out Level Red Boxing and be strong at any level!
