What are the primary muscles used while hitting the heavy bag (boxing focus sessions as compared to kickboxing where kicks are involved). And how do you improve the overall hitting/power of those strikes from accessory exercises?
asked Aug 2, 2012 at 14:39
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Doesn't that depend on what punches you throw?– Ivo FlipseCommented Aug 2, 2012 at 16:19
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@Ivo - I think there's a difference in any exercise depending on technique/specifics (bench pressing could be looked at as bench pressing OR incline, decline, close grip, board, etc...) - but I'm assuming there's some common primary muscles used for a boxing focused heavy bag workout.– Meade RubensteinCommented Aug 2, 2012 at 16:58
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2@IvoFlipse - Yes, although meade is correct in that the basic muscles will pretty much remain the same for almost any punch - pecs, tris, delts. But, the emphasis of the muscles between a hook/uppercut/jab/cross will be slightly different, and will also affect the lower body utilization. For instance, you will drive more upright with your legs for an uppercut, vs. more horizontal drive for a cross.– JohnP ♦Commented Aug 2, 2012 at 17:35
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1 Answer
Start at your head, and go to your feet. That's the muscles involved. :p
Seriously, a good punch will involve most of the muscles in the body. The primary single movers in a punch are going to be
- Pecs (Chest)
- Triceps (Arm)
- Deltoids (Shoulder)
You could throw a punch just using those muscles, but it won't be a hugely powerful punch (Think a jab in boxing). The triceps straighten the arm, and the delts/pecs move the arm "forward" and in towards the center.
To that, you can add the muscles of the abdomen (abdominals and internal/external obliques) for rotation in the execution of the punch, muscles of the leg (calves and hamstrings/quads) used for driving and transmitting ground force through the punch, forearm muscles for rotation and stabilization of the lower arm, and lats/biceps for oppositional force and arm retraction after the punch. Clenching your jaw at the point of impact will tense/stabilize and add force, although a permanent clench is counter productive.
Think of a right cross, from the point of view of a right handed boxer (lead hand is left). Starting position for a right handed boxer is the left foot and left shoulder forward, right leg back, so that your hips and upper body are angled to your opponent. A few boxers will fight more square, though.
As the boxer settles from movement/shuffle, the feet get planted. The rear leg starts hip rotation and gives a "push" from the feet upwards, involving the calf and thigh muscles. As the hip and torso continue to rotate (obliques and abdominals, some lats) the upper body continues the rotation, and the arm starts to extend out (pecs/triceps/delts), and the hand/lower arm rotate so that at the point of contact, the fist is palm down as opposed to facing inward as in a typical sparring/protection stance.
As far as hitting power, any basic weightlifting routine will work all the muscles involved, as most of them are primary movers for the core exercises such as pullups/dips, squats, situps and rotational exercises (abs and wood choppers for example). Where a LOT of the power comes from is simply technique, learning how to plant and rotate, keeping the arm as relaxed as possible until point of impact, things of this nature. You could have one person that can outlift a second person by a considerable margin, but not be able to punch as effectively because of a lack of technique.
