Alright, let’s talk about this Michael Benson boxing practice I’ve been getting into. It’s been a bit of a journey, not gonna lie.
How I Even Got Started On This Path
See, for ages, I was just flailing around. I’d watch some videos, hit the bag, you know, the usual stuff. Thought I was doing okay. But then, I hit a wall. Hard. Wasn’t getting any faster, wasn’t getting any sharper. Just felt like I was going through the motions, and honestly, getting a bit bored and frustrated. I was trying all these complicated moves I’d seen, thinking that was the key. More flash, more power, right? Wrong. At least for me, it was.
I was at this old, dusty gym one afternoon, feeling pretty fed up. And there was this older fella, quiet guy, just doing his thing in the corner. Wasn’t Michael Benson himself, not that I know of, but the way he moved, the rhythm, it was different. Simple, but so damn effective. I got to chatting with him a bit over the next few weeks, and he didn’t really “teach” me in a formal way, but I picked up on his philosophy. I started calling it the “Michael Benson” way in my head, mostly because he mentioned an old-timer coach named Benson who drilled these basics into him. It just stuck.
Breaking Down My “Michael Benson” Boxing Practice
So, what did I actually start doing? It wasn’t about learning a hundred new punches. It was about going back. Way back.
- Footwork First, Always: This was the biggest change. I used to just plant my feet and swing. Big mistake. Now, I spend a good chunk of time just on movement. Small steps, balancing, moving in and out, side to side. Sounds boring, I know. But man, it makes all the difference. I started really slow, just feeling the floor, feeling my weight shift.
- The Basic Jab, Over and Over: Seriously, just the jab. For days, it felt like. But focusing on doing it right. Snappy, straight, good extension, bringing it back fast. Not trying to knock the bag off its hinges. Just clean, crisp jabs. Then the cross, same deal. Slowed it all down.
- Breathing, Can’t Forget That: I realized I was holding my breath a lot, or breathing all wrong. This “Benson” idea was all about rhythm, and breathing is the baseline of that rhythm. Sharp exhale with each punch. Sounds simple, but coordinating it took practice.
- Shadow Boxing with Purpose: Stopped just waving my arms around. I started visualizing an opponent, focusing on those simple moves, the footwork, the breathing. Making every shadow punch count, like it was real.
- Consistency Over Killing It: Instead of one or two massive, exhausting sessions a week where I’d try to do everything, I switched to shorter, more focused practices, more often. Even 30 minutes of just working on my jab and footwork felt more productive than two hours of messing around.
What I’ve Noticed So Far
It’s been a slow burn, not some overnight miracle. But things are clicking. My movement feels smoother. I’m not gassing out as quickly because my breathing is better and I’m not wasting energy. My punches, even the simple ones, feel more connected, more solid, because they’re coming from my feet up, not just my arms.
It’s less about looking like a pro boxer and more about feeling fundamentally sound. That was the big shift. It’s not fancy. There’s no secret sauce. It’s just drilling the basics until they become second nature. And honestly, there’s a real satisfaction in that. It’s humbling, going back to square one, but totally worth it. I still throw in other stuff, work on combinations, but that core, that “Michael Benson” foundation, that’s what I build everything on now. Took me a while to figure that out, but better late than never, eh?
