Get in the Swim

In today’s world of boxing, any advantage you can get during training is an important one. If it can give you that edge that your opponent doesn’t have, it’s worth a try. These days it seems the champs are hitting the pool to get that advantage. Yes, it’s true! Boxers like IBF cruiserweight champ Steve USS Cunningham, and IBO lightweight champ Juan Diaz are hitting the swimming pool to be the next Michael Phelps. Well, not really, but they are using the pool in their training to help arm and leg strength, work on their breathing, and decrease the stress of road work on their knees.

Think of the pool as the fountain of youth. We can gain a competitive advantage using the many strokes we saw made famous by this years Olympic swimming team. Stroke such as the breast stroke, back stroke, butterfly, and freestyle. Each stroke uses different breathing frequency, leg kicks, and arm movement. The difference in these strokes means different muscles are strengthened. This allows you to throw a quicker jab, or a stronger cross. Every stroke needs you to concentrate on your rotator cuff Traps and rhomboids. Helping you stabilize your shoulders. Allowing you to throw more confident and precise punch.

Now we get to your breathing. Each stroke calls for a different breathing pattern. It’s that breathing pattern which works in sync with the rest of your movements to increase your speed and decrease your times. The athlete that can control his breathing can control the pace of the fight and burn less energy per round.  For example the breast stroke calls for you to raise your head with each stroke taking a breath in line with the rest of the movement. On the other hand the freestyle is best done with a breath taken every 4th stroke to keep drag down and increase speeds.  Itwill take time to learn proper swimming, but so did learning to throw a good uppercut.

Lastly, what you can also reflect on is the decrease in stress over running each day. In swimming the impact is gone. The water is usually warm allowing for muscles to relax and reach proper length. This will save your feet, knees and hips. I suggest a cross training routine where you alternate ru   nning and swimming day to day. This will allow the joints to rest and rejuvenated in the pool. Word of advice never completely replace your running with swimming unless you have an injury that leads you to do so. Running out doors has an affect on your muscles and lungs that can’t be duplicated in the water.

The big thing these days is the pool is not just for swimming anymore. Some high end health clubs and rehab centers have treadmills underwater. This helps decreases the impact on the joints. Some pools have therabands or special foam weights which can be used under water. This allows you to change your workout around. Biceps curls and shoulder presses have a new feel under water. Some gyms will have a resistance system for swimming for an increased intensity. This usually combines bands that tie around your waist and a motor which agitates the water. Simulating swimming against the current, which you might experience if you swam out in nature.

Dr. Pietro Baio DC
Performance Edge Chiropractic, P.C.
7112 Ave U
Brooklyn, NY 11234
(917)-309-5464

DrBaio@PEChiro.com 
PEChiro.com