What workout makes you punch harder

[alanwest09872]

Kind of a silly question I know. See I never have been much of a fighter. I cant punch hard at all. Not that I go around looking for fights but I know my limits and they arnt very high. So what workout will make me a better fighter so I can defend myself better. Theres nothing worse then going to a bar and running into an asshole that wants to fight for no reason. Or being attacked by someone and not being able to defend one self.

Right now I do straight forward bench press. Is this adequate. Will this make my punches hit harder.

Any and all suggestions are welcome I would love to hear it thank you

 

[Pantlegz]

I thought you couldn't leave your house. Being able to punch hard isn't going to help you in most fights.

 

[alanwest09872]

I thought you couldn't leave your house. Being able to punch hard isn't going to help you in most fights.

Like I said before sometimes I feel ok and when I do I take full advantage of it. I havent been to a bar in 6months but I do plan on going again. Especially after I get back into shape. Since I am getting back into shape I would love to know how to fight better just in case.

As for the depression sometimes its really bad and I cant leave my house other times its not bad and I can go out. Mind you theres more bad days then good days which sucks. Anyone that knows anything about depression knows that there are highs and lows. Right now I am in a high point. I am able to play video games go shopping and if I wanted to go to a bar right now I could. Now mind you in the next minute or hour or day I could go right back into a low point where I cant do anything but lay in bed and watch tv and sleep.

Take the time and read up on depression a little bit. You will see what I am talking about.
Lately I have had more good days then bad but overall bad days rule my life. Let me ask you if you couldnt go to a bar for 6-12months then one day felt well enough to go would you. And it doesnt has to be a bar it could be anything the movies shopping a date so on.

Ive went out and seen the new xmen movie because I was felling so well. It was ok. Mind you the whole time I have to chew nicotine gum to keep me calm. Since I get really bad anxiety and the only thing that relaxes me is smoking.

 

[MrEgo]

Kind of a silly question I know. See I never have been much of a fighter. I cant punch hard at all. Not that I go around looking for fights but I know my limits and they arnt very high. So what workout will make me a better fighter so I can defend myself better. Theres nothing worse then going to a bar and running into an asshole that wants to fight for no reason. Or being attacked by someone and not being able to defend one self.

Right now I do straight forward bench press. Is this adequate. Will this make my punches hit harder.

Any and all suggestions are welcome I would love to hear it thank you

Not that I'm trying to promote fighting and being an obnoxious tough guy at the bar, aka "That Guy", but you don't always need a good punch to defend yourself.

I've never been into a fight myself. I'm sure I can handle my own, but I never put myself in situations that require it. Even if I did, I imagine myself as someone who would be a wrestler rather than a puncher. Can't throw too many swings if you have a forearm wrapped tightly around your neck.

Most bar fights are amateurs throwing wildly inaccurate and inefficent punches. Why risk breaking your knuckles on someone's face? Actually, a couple weeks ago, my cousin was approached by "That Guy" at a local party, and that guy started talking some serious shit without warrant. My cousin grabbed his collar with both fists and lunged the top of his head right into the dude's nose. That fight was over before it even began. Nobody ever looks for a head butt. It's a very effective defense.

That being said, if you notice a knucklehead being obnoxious at a bar, just stay away. It's not worth the trouble. Swallow your pride and walk away. Even if you win a fight, there's a chance you could go to jail. There might have been a time where I would say different in my younger years, but I have too much going for me to put myself at risk like that.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

Not that I'm trying to promote fighting and being an obnoxious tough guy at the bar, aka "That Guy", but you don't always need a good punch to defend yourself.

I've never been into a fight myself. I'm sure I can handle my own, but I never put myself in situations that require it. Even if I did, I imagine myself as someone who would be a wrestler rather than a puncher. Can't throw too many swings if you have a forearm wrapped tightly around your neck.

Most bar fights are amateurs throwing wildly inaccurate and inefficent punches. Why risk breaking your knuckles on someone's face? Actually, a couple weeks ago, my cousin was approached by "That Guy" at a local party, and that guy started talking some serious shit without warrant. My cousin grabbed his collar with both fists and lunged the top of his head right into the dude's nose. That fight was over before it even began. Nobody ever looks for a head butt. It's a very effective defense.

That being said, if you notice a knucklehead being obnoxious at a bar, just stay away. It's not worth the trouble. Swallow your pride and walk away. Even if you win a fight, there's a chance you could go to jail. There might have been a time where I would say different in my younger years, but I have too much going for me to put myself at risk like that.

Is your cousin Bas Ruttin?

 

[alanwest09872]

Not that I'm trying to promote fighting and being an obnoxious tough guy at the bar, aka "That Guy", but you don't always need a good punch to defend yourself.

I've never been into a fight myself. I'm sure I can handle my own, but I never put myself in situations that require it. Even if I did, I imagine myself as someone who would be a wrestler rather than a puncher. Can't throw too many swings if you have a forearm wrapped tightly around your neck.

Most bar fights are amateurs throwing wildly inaccurate and inefficent punches. Why risk breaking your knuckles on someone's face? Actually, a couple weeks ago, my cousin was approached by "That Guy" at a local party, and that guy started talking some serious shit without warrant. My cousin grabbed his collar with both fists and lunged the top of his head right into the dude's nose. That fight was over before it even began. Nobody ever looks for a head butt. It's a very effective defense.

That being said, if you notice a knucklehead being obnoxious at a bar, just stay away. It's not worth the trouble. Swallow your pride and walk away. Even if you win a fight, there's a chance you could go to jail. There might have been a time where I would say different in my younger years, but I have too much going for me to put myself at risk like that.

good points. I always try and stay away from a fight but sometimes its unavodable. Thats why I want t o know the best way to build up my punch. If I can put some force behind it then I may not get my ass kicked by some idiot with a god complex.
So what workout get the arms stronger. Is it curls benching pullups pushups what makes me stronger.

 

[alanwest09872]

Is your cousin Bas Ruttin?

Whos bas ruttin?

 

[Smoove910]

Just because you can punch hard doesn't mean you will win a fight. Especially if you are in an internet chat room asking for advice on 'how to punch hard'. Your best bet would be to go enroll in some MMA classes and get a few months experience.

Personally, I think a well placed punch will always be better than a hard one. You ever get tagged in the nose by accident? Hard for your opponent to fight if their eyes won't stop watering.

 

[MotF Bane]

Buy a heavy bag. Or better yet, go take classes.

 

[shortylickens]

I carry a Ruger.

My advice to you is work on the pecs and triceps.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

A lot of practice + some weight training will give you a powerful punch although whether it'd prove useful to defend yourself is another matter.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

To punch hard, you need to utilize the closed kinetic chain. Almost all your power comes from the legs and requires forceful rotation of the spine. Since you've got your back issues, it's not gonna happen til you get that fixed.

 

[iluvdeal]

Whos bas ruttin?

Meet Bas Rutten: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3K-mrlYG7Y

 

[Woosta]

Get your back fixed, like Socially said. If you have an injured back, I'm not sure how you're going to defend yourself.

The most important thing you can do to punch better ( aka harder ) is to practice punching technique. Basically, punch for hours, hours, and hours and drill techniques.

As Socially said, its the twisting of the body and all the power comes from bottom up, so its the lower body.

When you punch you have to make sure your legs are positioned to get the most out of the kinetic chain, otherwise you'll be arm punching with no technique.

It's probably a good idea to join a boxing gym and/or get a legit instructor - if you try to just do solely heavybagging by yourself you will just teach yourself bad habits.

A heavybag is horrible for training technique - it would just give you cardio.

As far as weight training, bench pressing will not do anything so please stop bench pressing if you do it solely for punching.

Since power comes from the lower body, you should target any weight training to benefit the lower body ( squat, deadlift ).

Since those exercise work the back though, all the more reason to get your back fixed.

 

[Woosta]

Ah, also forgot.. it's best to avoid confrontation.. especially if you're asking on Anandtech of all places ( dear god.. ) for tips on fighting.

Bas Rutten is legit.

In street brawls I'd personally use open palm strikes, headbutts, push kicks to the knees, elbows, knees.. there are many effective types of strikes that aren't punches.

 

[alanwest09872]

Ah, also forgot.. it's best to avoid confrontation.. especially if you're asking on Anandtech of all places ( dear god.. ) for tips on fighting.

Bas Rutten is legit.

In street brawls I'd personally use open palm strikes, headbutts, push kicks to the knees, elbows, knees.. there are many effective types of strikes that aren't punches.

Lots of good informations ty guys. I didnt know punching comes from the spine and legs thats kind of backwords lol to my thinking.

I just wanna say that I dont go looking for fights. This is just incase a fight finds me. Theres always that one drunk ass hole that likes to pick fights with everyone I hate that person and just want to be able to defend against them

 

[alkemyst]

A lot of bad advice again here. OP working out in general is only going to provide a base. Until you practice punching, you are not going to be effective.

Personally I'd avoid most of the MMA dojos...they are all mostly fly-by-night/trend followers.

Find an older dojo...almost everything has been more or less 'mixed-martial-arts' except for all but the strictest style schools, but these are extremely rare.

Where I practiced had classes after the class for strictly street defense.

Also, never ever even listen to advice of someone that hasn't been in a fight nor goes out and about. They live in fairy tale worlds where they envision themselves getting assaulted one day and throwing a jumping side kick followed by a falcon punch then winning the internet!

 

[brad310]

thicker/denser forearms will put more behind it, naturally. Pivoting shoulder/hips will give power. Driving through the feet will give even more. All that said though, speed is more important. Lots of speed.

 

[GoNiners!]

Not sure how old you are so I will assume you are a full grown adult. If you are in high school or a teenager, go ahead and forget everything I wrote below because you won't get it anyway.

Speaking for myself physical confrontation is not appropriate unless it is a life and death situation.

As a 30 year old grown man, I avoid all physical confrontations and don't put myself in those situations because I don't want to go to jail and spend thousands of dollars on a lawyer, deal with all of the legal hassles that go along with that, and face a possible civil suit afterwards. This is America and people sue each other for any reason.

Here in California, if you get in a fight no one cares who started it. Once the cops show up, everyone involved goes to jail. Later charges may get dropped but that is up to the judge to figure out.

Let's set aside our internet ego's here for a moment.

If and only if, you are in a situation where there is no walking away and you are legitimately in fear for your life. Reach into your pocket, grab your keys, put a key between each finger, make a fist, and hit the guy. You will turn the guys face/neck into hamburger meat. If there is a glass cup, glass ketchup bottle, mug, feel free to grab it and use it as a mace. Got a pen or pencil? Set the end of the pen along the side of your pinky finger and make a fist with the rest of your fingers and use it as a shiv. Some jabs to the side of the neck will stop the attack and you can get away and call the police. The perp will probably also need medical attention too.

Remember, it is not ok to fight because some random douchebag is talking smack to you. Finish your drink and go find another bar. It is not worth losing your freedom or becoming a fellon because of your ego. I can guarantee, even if you don't go to jail, one day years later when you are older, you will look back and feel guilty about kicking some drunk retards butt. Sitting in jail is lame, even if it is for a night and taking weekly showers with 20 dudes should not be on your bucket list.

There is enough pain and suffering in the world as it is, no use adding any more to that.

 

[Woosta]

A lot of bad advice again here.

Can you point out the bad advice?

 

[alkemyst]

Can you point out the bad advice?

Don't want to upset to locals and have them go cry to the mods.

 

[Pantlegz]

No offense alky but older 'dojo's' aren't going to be much help in a 'real' fight. Most of them only teach technique or have very limited sparring. We have guys from a local judo dojo that come to our mma gym to get live sparring in because they just don't do it there. I know given his physical issues that going to a mma gym where they spar on a regular basis might not be an option but hitting with good technique/getting hit is about the best way to learn to fight. You can read for months about how to throw a punch but until you have someone moving in front of you it's really not going to do any good. If anything I'd recommend a boxing gym where they spend a few months just working on technique and form before you get to any sparring. It would be nice and slow(er) paced and not too much stress on the back.

 

[Howard]

don't want to upset to locals and have them go cry to the mods.

ATTN: No bad advice found in this thread.

 

[Woosta]

Don't want to upset to locals and have them go cry to the mods.

Can you at least PM it to me, if you are referring to any statement I made?

 

[aceO07]

Absolutely avoid fighting if you can. No matter how good you are there's still a chance you can get seriously hurt. Walk away, or run if you have to. Pick up poop from the ground and make them think you're crazy or just leave you alone (story from my Judo sensei).

Punching is like throwing a baseball or hitting a tennis ball. If you watch carefully, they put their entire body into it. Everything is a smooth motion. They're not just using their one arm. Even for (good) punches where it seems like they're not moving much, they're building a lot of power from the rest of their body.

If you are in a situation you cannot avoid, stay calm and see how to get out of it as quickly as possible. Play dirty if you have to, but get away. If they're going to fight you, they're not going to play fair anyways.

In general, I recommend to be in good overall physical shape. Being fit will allow you to run faster and potentially if they see you're in good shape they'll avoid picking on you and fighting you. Take some self-defense classes. I found Judo to be a great exercise and sport.