I've just come across Wladimir Klitschko's training schedule and I've just came to know that he does not include roadwork in his training.Instead he swim laps to build up endurance. I've seen one person in the classic forum write that it is not encouraged for big men to do roadwork as their bigger and heavier frames might damage their knees and joints when they hit the road. But I've also wondered if that's the case then why do old time trainers encouraged heavyweight to include a hard,long roadwork in their training schedule.And I'm not talking about small heavyweight from the old era,I'm talking about heavyweight's with the likes of Jess Willard,which if I had recalled correctly,was forced to do a very long and gruelling roadwork prior to his fight with Jack Johnson. But I'm really wondering do boxing trainers nowadays encouraged (super)heavyweight to include roadwork in their training session,or replaced it with some activity which is much safer to their knees and joints? What's your thought? Note:I'm not in any way hinting or stating that Jess Willard was better than Wladimir Klitschko,the reason I'm comparing their training schedule is because they both had nearly same weight in their prime,Jess Willard and Wladimir was both 238 pounds in their respective fight against Johnson and Byrd.
It seems like one of the old school laws that has been challenged by a proposition backed with sports science. Wlad is like 6'6 110kgs. He's a big boy fighting gravity. The cardio developed by running compared to the impacted damage To his spine/legs/feet wouldn't seem to make the best sense. Better to Save his body and get more develoent out of more specific planned training.
hilmer kenty would run 2 miles a day and he was a 15 round world champion. you want to get in shape for fighting than leave it all in the gym, every time, not in the streets running. amatuers should be doing the hundred as fast as they can and then walking the corner of a track while throwing punches. hit the start of the next 100 mark and you take off again. 1 lap for every round that youre expected to be fighting. when you can finish that at peak levels you'll be doing something. then ofcourse bust your butt in the gym.
Roadwork is the most efficient form of building cardio, period. However, if the negatives of running outweigh the gains, then of course adjust your program. Bicycling is excellent. So is rowing. You still want the leg muslces involved because they are the largest muscles and will make the heart work more for the effort put out. Which is what develops cardio. Swimming is also good but doesn't involve leg activity that much. So, you would have to swim more intensely than you jog to get the same desired effect. But will save your legs if they are prone to wear and tear or injury. It's all give and take.
Boxing trainers include running in a boxers workout because it is good cardio and it utilizes the muscles of the body in a way very similar to the way they are used in the ring. You'll see Mayweather, Pacquiao and most every fighter around including runs. The length and intensity are determined by their trainers. Some pro's have been able to fight using a combination of other cardio work, but these are the exception. Give all things a try. If they work for you better than running then perhaps you should look into that, however, all the fighters that I have read about that do not run are using a combination of other cardio based exercise such as stair master AND swimming and always include exercise for the legs.
