Fun Workout: Shadow Boxing with a Tennis Ball
Check out my new favorite, fun workout which I do every single day!
Before you start reading the article, watch the video which I have created for you:
Shadow Boxing Can Be Fun
As a long-term training experiment guy, I will admit that this particular boxing drill is by far in my top 3 most fun and enjoyable movements which I perform on a daily basis.
What always bothered me about shadow boxing is that it’s boring. You know, mimic punches in front the mirror with small weights in your hands is monotonous and not that fun like the tennis ball drill.
At first place, I have seen that exercise from www.rosstraining.com where there are very detailed instructions how to create that simple tool for yourself.
You basically need a hat, tennis ball and elastic band. Super cheap and easy for creation object.
When I first saw it, I was seriously interested to give it a try. I was sure that performing this exercise will be challenging, not boring and will keep my mind constantly engaged.
Now let’s review how is that tool going to Help You in daily life.
Better Your Eye-Hand Coordination
I am a strong believer that our hand conditioning should be on point if we want to be productive in life. See, everything which we have to do as physical activity in most of your daily tasks relies on hand work.
That spoken, if your hands could listen to your brain’s signals correctly, you will be able to move them easily, without frustration, faster and more accurate. That particular skill will help you develop more active and accurate hands which will serve you well in life.
Improving your hand accuracy matters. Having more fine control over your body’s extremities (hands and legs) will instantly improve your quality of life. It’s a simple equation with multiple life application benefits.
Reaction Is Important
By implementing that drill on a daily basis or performing it multiple times per week, your reactions will be enhanced. In life, as fast as we are able to react to a certain situation, as better we will be in charge of the certain situation and able to resolve it more easily.
That being said, whatever the situation is, you will be the man who will most likely to get an advantage of it by reacting fast and accurate. Whether someone attacks you on the street, catch a falling object or whatever, you will be the fast-hand winner.
Improved Self-Confidence
My message is clear. You will not become a proficient boxer or heavy puncher by doing that drill. However, by having accurate, fast and conditioned hands will gain your self-confidence.
Like I have mentioned above, being able to react and know how to instantly punch someone who surprises you in a certain situation will help you gain a bit of fighting confidence which is ultimate, super important for every man.
Related to that, please don’t start thinking that you can beat up people on the street. Just continue to practice this exercise and enjoy the benefits for yourself. Don’t pretend that you are a fighter or whatever. That’s not the point of doing that exercise.
It’s Super Fun and Enjoyable Workout
I will always preach that people should love what they do. If you like a particular exercise, sport or activity, you will be always consistent with it. That consistency will bring results and by achieving that, you will be motivated to push yourself toward your goals. It’s a simple philosophy which is proved that works for everyone.
The tennis ball boxing drill is fun, dynamic, low-impact exercise which will be enjoyable to you. Why it’s guaranteed? In a nutshell, your brain will be constantly engaged by the moving ball. Awareness will exist because if you punch the ball stronger, it will turn back faster to your head and if you don’t stop it with, you will get a punch in the face. So, we have the proof already. If your brain is engaged, you will find it challenging and constantly try to figure out how to become more proficient and keep the ball moving or avoiding a ball-punch in the face.
Start Slow
The only reason I am telling you is that your hand knuckles are most probably not well conditioned. If you are overdoing it, you will feel pain afterward and that’s not the idea here. Build the skill slowly, be patient and you will be proficient in a few weeks period (depending on your current training level).
In addition, you should educate your nervous system to react faster and adapt to this new, dynamic environment. It requires time.
Begin with few sets of 1-minute work, 1-minute rest for a couple of rounds and slowly increase the work time.
I Use That As a Brain Booster
That’s right. A little brain enhancement movement hack which I have implemented into my daily routines. And it worked great!
When I have to write an article like that or do work for World Conditioning, on every 40–50 minutes of sitting on the desk, I stand up, put my hat and do 3–4 consecutive minutes of playing with that amazing tool.
Because of the fact that the ball constantly engages my brain, I create awareness which wakes me up and reset my already tired and slow brain (which usually happens after 50–60 minutes of writing at least, that’s the case with me).
Another simple explanation for the brain activation is caused by the movement itself. When you move, you are pumping more blood to the brain which helps him get more oxidized and that particular action wakes the brain up and makes him more sharp and productive.
Final Words
The tennis ball boxing drill is a remarkable way to accelerate your eye-hand coordination, hand conditioning, reactions, self-confidence and basically, help you in life.
You will not become a proficient boxer or heavy puncher by doing it. However, you will be able to react way faster in unpredictable situations.
The fast and accurate hands is an outstanding skill which if being developed will instantly increase your self-confidence which in my opinion is critical for better performance in life and essential for every man’s life.
Hey, I’m Vladimir, The Busy Man Trainer. I am an NFPT Certified Personal Trainer and a Home Training Specialist. I am a hard believer that working out should always enhance our energy levels and increase the quality of our lives. Long-term and sustainable results matter, not beating up your body for a month and suffer for the next couple of weeks. You can find my work at www.worldconditioning.com Functional Workouts for The Busy Man. Hope I will help you lose fat, be more energized, sharp brain and productive man while training at home, follow a simple diet and optimize your health.