How to be a great boxing training partner
9 mins read

How to be a great boxing training partner


Boxing is one of the finest combat sports ever developed, and being a great training partner will help you get more out of your workouts. Being an excellent training partner isn’t just about showing off your fancy techniques or becoming a human punching bag; it’s about finding the perfect balance between challenging, supporting and protecting your training partners.

Nine things you can do to be a great workout partner

A good training partner doesn’t just strap on a pair of gloves and enter the ring alone; they also do it to help their fellow fighters. Some of the things you can do to make sure your training partners love pairing up with you include:

1) Leave your ego at home

Boxing is not about showing off but about honing your skills and growing through the process.

First, leave your ego at home every time you go to the boxing gym. You may think you’re the most powerful boxer to step into the ring since Mike Tyson, but your training sessions aren’t just about you.

Your main training goal should be to hone your skills while helping your gym buddies do the same. There’s nothing more annoying than a training partner who’s always trying to beat everyone. Nobody likes that guy, so resist the urge to prove how tough you are.

2) Communicate clearly

boxing training partner

Good communication with your training partner ensures productive sessions: align your goals, adapt them as needed and provide feedback throughout the course.

Good communication is the secret sauce to successful partnerships, and the same goes for training partners. Get into the habit of always talking to your training partners about what they are working on before starting training or sparring.

Is your training partner looking to blow off some steam after a hard day or is he trying to hone his defensive techniques? Knowing your training partner’s intentions allows you to tailor your approach to their needs.

Communication doesn’t stop when you start sparring or punching techniques. Let your teammate know if a punch is too strong for your liking. Don’t react by coming back as hard as them. Likewise, be willing to adapt if your training partner complains about something you’re doing.

3) Give yourself a rhythm

boxing training partner

Being aware of your partner’s energy ensures a better workout: slow down if he’s tired, challenge him without overwhelming him.

Being aware of your training partner’s energy levels is another essential aspect of being a great teammate. For example, if your training partner is out of breath during sparring, let him catch his breath by slowing your pace. You still want to challenge them, but you want to make it manageable.

Increasing the intensity while your training partner struggles to stay upright won’t make it harder. It’s more likely to make them resent you as a bad workout partner who doesn’t know when to take it easy.

4) Learn how to control your power

boxing female

Maintain control in sparring: throw light, firm strikes to improve skills without overwhelming less experienced partners.

Letting go of a flurry of strikes feels good when you’re sparring, but don’t get carried away. Your training sessions should never resemble a street fight as you and your training partners are there to help each other improve.

Learning to control the power of your shots will endear you to your training partners, especially when you learn to throw fast, accurate shots that don’t land with much power.

Power control is vital in boxing sparring sessions, especially when you’re paired with someone less experienced than you. Getting hit too hard can discourage an inexperienced boxer. Keep your punches sharp without causing too much damage and your training partners will be happy whenever they are paired with you.

5) Focus on technique rather than brute force

pay attention to boxing

Boxing is all about technique, not just strength – focus on honing your skills and helping your partners do the same with feedback and practice.

Boxing is called the soft science because it’s as much about the brain as it is about the muscles. Your goal should never be to outperform your training partners when they work together. The goal of these interactions should always be to improve your technique.

Keep your hands up, practice the footwork patterns you’ve been taught, and make sure your training partners do the same. Give your training partners tips that can help them perfect their techniques whenever you notice they are doing something wrong.

6) Mix things up during punching techniques or sparring

boxing senior

Variety keeps training exciting: regularly change exercises and sparring focuses to stay fit, challenge yourself and develop your skills.

For centuries it has been said that variety is the spice of life and the same goes for boxing. Avoid doing the same exercises over and over when you’re in the gym and try to look different when sparring. For example, you can work on defensive drills one day and focus on counterattacks the next.

Varying your training routine helps keep you and your training partners sharp, helping you develop your skills. Training also becomes more fun when you mix things up regularly.

7) Be patient

Drian with the student mat

Everyone learns at their own pace. Be patient, offer encouragement, and use teachable moments to sharpen your understanding.

Everyone learns at their own speed and that’s fine. Some boxers learn new techniques the first time they are shown them, while others take a little longer to get the hang of it. Always be patient with your training partners, even if they are struggling with something they should have mastered.

Instead of getting frustrated with them, break things down step by step to help them develop a better understanding. Explaining techniques to others forces you to look at them differently, improving your understanding of their mechanisms.

Offer encouragement instead of criticism to your training partners, and you’ll both be better off for it.

8) Keep things light

happy boxing

Boxing is serious business, but adding humor to your sessions keeps things light and helps you get through tough workouts.

Boxing is serious compared to other sports. You play basketball or baseball, but you never play boxing.

However, just because boxing is a tough sport doesn’t mean everything has to be doom and gloom when you’re in the gym. Add some humor into your training sessions to lighten the mood. It contributes greatly to easing tension, particularly during more demanding training sessions.

Having fun while you train makes it easier to tackle the more challenging parts of your workout.

9) Support your training partners outside the gym

Boxing seminar

Being a great training partner goes beyond the gym: support them with nutrition, attend their meetings and boost their confidence.

Being an excellent training partner doesn’t end when you take off your boxing gloves. Support your training partners outside of the gym by doing things like helping them with nutrition or showing up at their meetings.

Boxing is as mentally as physically demanding. Being there for your training partners helps boost their confidence.

Create an environment for boxers of all levels

Being a great training partner means creating an environment where you and your training partners can grow your skills while enjoying the process. Your coaches will notice how well you treat your teammates, and that could open other doors, like an assistant coaching position. Your training partners are also likely to reciprocate your goodwill towards them and return the favor one day when you need it most.

If you’re looking to learn boxing in an environment that promotes mutual respect, teamwork and growth, why not take one of Evolve MMA’s free boxing classes? Get a first-hand experience of how teammates support each other in a world-class gym!

Book your free trial lesson with our world champions below!

If you have additional questions regarding Evolve MMA and the programs we offer, you can reach out to our member executives at the following locations:

Evolve MMA (Far East Square)
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Telephone: (65) 6536 4525

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