Punching Things

Refine your style to become a better human.

Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash

He thumped one hand into the other with the striking targets. It was a wordless cue for the simple striking combo the guys were drilling.

Thump-thump. Jab-Cross. Move. Repeat.

My husband Nate teaches students that come to him the most effective ways to stand, how to move properly, how to breathe, and how to punch things. He’s a striking coach, among other things.

People come to train with Nate because they want to get in better shape and because they want a healthy outlet for their stress.

Striking class is like yoga with attitude. They are both similar unions of movement and breath, but striking is more dynamic, and also more training partner-oriented. And the pace is faster and stronger. It’s a great workout for the modern era.

Punching Things is Oddly Satisfying

It’s a little crazy the first time you wrap your hands, put on mitts, and go through striking drills with a coach or a partner. You start to realize what a full-body movement a proper punch becomes with refinement. You start to learn the movements, the timing, the count.

Hitting targets doesn’t have to be about being all macho. The goal is to be able to run through a drill with a series of different punches, and lightly move the target in the right direction with a properly placed and supported punch. Then do it over and over again. You’ll be amazed at how much you have to use your hips and your ribs.

When you finish a striking workout, you’ll feel this warm glow all through your core. And you don’t have to go all out. You can pace yourself and still see major benefits.

Punching Things Teaches You Subtle Things About Yourself

Do a striking workout. It can be shadowboxing, with no mitts and no targets. Just an imaginary series of strikes on targets. Video yourself doing it. Then suspend judgment of your mostly untrained and yet to be great boxing skills, and watch yourself as you progress through the motions.

The way you move will teach you things about the way you think, act, and make love. Watch your…