I'm a 17 year old from Ireland. I've been training boxing for almost a year now. My gym's classes operate on Mon, Wed, Fri. I've developed well at the sport and my coach has asked me to compete in the leagues this September as an amateur which I am delighted about. However, I don't feel as if I'm getting enough work done, surely between 4 months there's no time to waste? While only training 3 times a week I may have a good few weeks where I get good sparring done every session, but then I get bad periods where I'm given no time in the ring. I'm only easing back into light jogging lately as I damaged cartilage just before I started the boxing and I only recently received a Suplasyn injection (which I now recommend). My diet is also good. I'm just asking for some advice on how I could ease into a proper independent running, strength and conditioning routine in preparation for upcoming events. One which I could use for the long term. I'm greatful for any advice given.
Also to add to this, while training we do a bit of everything on different days: shadow boxing, running, sparring, circuits training, bag-work, padwork, conditioning. I can skip and work the speed bag in my own time.
I don't think having a set routine for every week is a good thing, I think it should be flexible and adapted depending how you feel. If you have some slight injuries/pain in some part of the body it's good to adapt and do something else. Personally I recommend doing a lot of shadowboxing on your own, sprints and exercises with your own body weight, try to mix it up a lot. On a lazy day I like to do a half an hour of exercises with my body weight in the morning (push ups, crunches...) and then in the evening I would go for a run. That way I train twice a day without straining myself too much. Then on the next day I would have one training session only, go to the gym for some intense sparring and put some rounds in. Then on the day afterwards I would again have two light training sessions a day. Then for example on the 4th day I would do sprints. On the 5th day some weight lifting. On 6th day I would go swimming in the morning so that it would be a bit easier on the joints and some light but long shadowboxing session in the evening. 7th day a break. Etc. Just to give you an example. Useful tip: I listened to Mayweather not so long ago when he said that he used to do all his running late in the evening rather than doing morning runs and I agree with him. Running can take a lot out of you and if you run a lot in the morning the chances are you're not going to do enough solid work in the boxing training later in the day. So make sure you do your boxing training first and run in the evening.
