Get fit and in shape - and learn some skills too!

Most fitness programs have a major flaw: they don't hold your interest for very long. It can be difficult to keep working out day after day and week after week with very little to show for it except a vague sense of "being in shape". After all, fitness is great but you don't necessarily have to do the same thing, over and over again, to get fit.

You probably want a workout routine that can get you in top condition while also giving you useful skills that will serve you well in the real world.

Read on for some suggestions:

Try working out like a boxer

Have you ever considered boxing-style training?

You don't have to be a Mike Tyson clone to benefit from this sort of training. Just because you don't want to walk around picking fights doesn't mean that you can't learn a few moves which might help you out some day.

There are few -- if any -- athletes who are as fit as a boxer before a fight. Consider a pro boxer: when his career, health, and pride depends on how physically capable he is, you can be sure that he does only what works instead of what's hot or trendy at the moment. No late-night TV infomercial is going to convince a world-class boxer that he needs some bizarre workout gizmo to get in shape. He uses the collective wisdom of more than a century's worth of boxing trainers to get into the sort of shape that makes him the equal of any man.

What equipment do you need?

With nothing more than a jumprope, some floor space, a pair of running shoes, and perhaps a mirror and an instructional DVD (I recommend Ultimate Boxing Lessons), you can learn simple footwork, all the basic punches, and a set of exercise routines that will strengthen your legs and back, your core, and the rest of you too. Better yet, you'll burn calories and get the sort of conditioning workout that treadmill-plodding gym-goers can only dream of.

When you're ready to take it to the next level, a heavybag gives you a great workout and teaches useful skills too.

Will this turn me into the next Floyd Mayweather?

Unfortunately, no. You won't become a boxer -- or even a very good fighter -- just by training by yourself in front of a mirror. To really get better, you need more... But hey, you'll be better than you were when you started, and that's something. After all, you don't learn anything useful by walking on a treadmill; boxing workouts, however, do teach usable skills, even if only at a relatively lower level.

If you want to get really good, you'll need sparring and other forms of practice with a partner. But it's all about getting in shape and learning, right? That can wait.

Do pressure points work?

You hear a lot of hype about "pressure points" and various super-secret martial arts that exploit these mysterious areas on the opponents body to achieve a quick, humiliating victory.

But is this all a bunch of hogwash?

The answer is: yes.

A knowledge of pressure points and/or how to attack them is useless for self-defense (or for anything else, really).

What is a pressure point?

The real term for pressure point is plexus. You've probably heard of the most famous of these areas, the solar plexus. It's a collection of nerves and blood vessles that happens to be near the surface of the body, just below the point where the ribs come together.

If you strike this area, your opponent will experience pain and momentary shock-like symptoms.

Similar areas exist in the body. They all share the common characteristics that several nerve groups come together at a point near the body surface.

Are pressure point attacks worthwhile for self-defense?

Other than Mr. Spock from the old Star Trek television series -- who was able to disable the bad guys with his patented Vulcan nerve pinch -- nobody has ever used a pressure point attack for anything worthwhile.

It's just not a viable option for self-defense.

After all, why fool around with stuff like that when you can do something that's guaranteed to work? There is no secret that eye pokes, groin shots, neck/throat strikes, and the like are all highly effective for self-defense. Use what works and leave the mystical mumbo-jumbo to Hollywood.

A new year is here!

With the new year comes a great new chance to set goals for yourself.

Since three months is an ideal time period for working towards a goal in fitness or athletics, it's great to start at the beginning of the year. You'll have four full goal-achieving periods with which to play with.

How about something like this:

1. Add some muscle mass


2. Maintain muscle and cut fat


3. Work on cardio


4. Work on skills (boxing training, for instance)

For anyone who never seems to follow through with workout plans, this sort of goal-setting is a great starting point for getting yourself to where you want to be.

Once you have the basic framework, start drilling down into the details and get all the information, equipment, and inspiration that you need to succeed!

Boxing injuries: the most vulnerable part of your hand

When boxers or martial artists hear about hand problems, they immediately jump to the conclusion that it's the "boxer's break" or a fracture of the fourth metacarpal (the bone on the little-finger side of your palm).

But the truth is, there are many more thumb injuries caused by improper technique or preparation than there are breaks to the bones in the hand. The joint at the base of your thumb is vulnerable and easy to damage. If you hurt it, your training will suffer for weeks or months.

As a boxer, MMA practicioner, or fighter, you must take steps to protect your thumb.

• Learn how to throw the left hook -- both on the heavybag and against an opponent -- so you reduce the chance that you'll impact the thumb.


• Always wrap your hands -- including the base of your thumb -- when you work out and especially when you spar.


• Make a good fist and tuck your thumb underneath.

Don't damage your thumb. It's that simple.

Left hook: hold the fist vertical or horizontal?

That is the age-old question.

Many trainers tell you to hold your left hook vertically, like you're holding a coffee mug. You can see it in the picture.

Just as many trainers say to hold it horizontally, with the palm facing down.

Which is correct?

I don't think there is a "correct" way to throw the left hook; it all comes down to your personal preferences.

If you are sport-oriented -- you always use handwraps and boxing gloves -- then holding the fist horizontally is probably OK. But if you are more interested in bare-knuckle fighting, you should probably keep the fist vertical.

Good luck finding out which variation you prefer: it's a debate that isn't going away anytime soon!

A few links to boxing-related sites

Not much time right now, but here are a few links to boxing-related sites that you might enjoy:

Saddo Boxing -- great discussion forums and more: http://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/index.php

Ross Training -- Blog articles, fantastic conditioning info, and great forum:
http://www.rosstraining.com/forum/

Is PacMan the p4p best in the world today?

I think you have to say that he is. He doesn't duck tough competition (which is a complement you can give to Mike Cotto too!), and he's shown that he's stronger, faster, and more effective than his opponents no matter the weight class he chooses.

It's amazing that "little" Manny Pacquiao can look so dominant against a true welterweight. Miguel Cotto is no joke, and Manny handled him with astonishing ease.

When have we ever seen Mayweather pick a tough opponent and dominate him? Answer: never.