subject: Why Boxing Training Programs Are Awesome For Kids [print this page] Many people often ask me what's the youngest age I take students in my boxing academy. Well, kids who are registered through USA boxing can compete starting at eight years old. I handle the registration for USA boxing at my boxing academy. They are then ready to compete in registered matches with other kids their own age and weight class.
The benefits for youth boxing at a young age is a better development of their bio motor abilities such as balance, coordination, timing, speed, agility, strength, poer etc. Children boxing at this young age better serves them in other sports as again, their bio motor abilities are enhanced from the boxing workouts. Their athleticism is improved at a much greater and faster rate than playing a sport like baseball alone.
What's exactly in the boxing workout?
Another question I get is what exactly the boxing workout consists of for kids. Well, we jump rope, perform footwork drills, shadow box, work the heavy bags, double end bags, the punch pads, speed bags, perform defensive drills, conditioning drills, perform abdominal core exercises, and body weight strength exercises such as push ups and squats.
We also use strength/conditioning equipment that doesn't load the child's spine but still increases their strength levels safely. The sled is one such piece of equipment and the kids love using it as its a very safe and fun challenge and very good for developing their strength/conditioning levels all at the same time.
Kids are pushed to their current fitness level and are taught more bit by bit as they master the boxing skill. Their is no hurry, haste makes waste, in order for the kids to master the fundamentals we teach, we break the boxing fundamentals down so they can truly master what they are being taught.
Kids learn to better coordinate their body's while learning the boxing movements. Their confidence gained from learning these ahtletic movements also improves at a fast rate.
Again, this is why kids boxing helps them grow athletically faster than just little league baseball or soccer. Its all the different skipping, bounding, and other unique and rhythmic movements that develops their nervous systems to function better, as that's key in athletic performance. How developed is the child's nervous system? If it has never been challenged then the kid will display that by sub par athleticism.
Youth boxing training makes them better all around athletes.
Of course the above kids boxing workout outline will make them better boxers too! Just making sure you understand that! From self defense, competition, to self confidence which comes form mastering self defense and also competing, boxing workouts for youth changes kids for the better!
I just want you all to understand that youth boxing programs are a far cry from the unrealistic boxing scenes you see in all the Rocky movies. Proper boxing programs for kids teaches them solid boxing skills first and then when its time to spar, the sparring is very controlled and monitored. The kids don't just blast a way at each another, trying to hurt one another.
This should make you worried parents out their feel a lot better about youth boxing programs and now open your eyes to how these programs can develop your kids into the ultimate athlete or boxer!
