My Rib Conditioning Journey
So, I was watching some fights the other night, you know how it is. Got me thinking about body shots, specifically to the ribs. Saw some guys really take some punishment there, reminded me a bit of that Edmen Shahbazyan situation, how devastating those body attacks can be. It wasn’t about him specifically, more just the whole idea of rib vulnerability.
It really stuck with me. Woke up the next day, still thinking about it. Headed to the gym, not for my usual routine, but with this specific thing nagging at me. Ribs. Need to work on the ribs. Not just blocking, but conditioning them, making them tougher.
Decided to try something simple first. Didn’t want to go crazy right away. Started with some basic medicine ball work. Found a partner, thankfully Dave was around and willing to help out. Here’s what we did:
- Stood facing each other, maybe six feet apart.
- Took a moderately heavy medicine ball, maybe 8 pounds to start.
- Focused on controlled throws, aiming for the sides, right where the ribs are most exposed.
- The key was tensing the core and obliques right before impact. Not trying to catch it softly, but bracing for it.
We started slow. Just light tosses. Even then, you feel it. It’s not painful, not yet, but it’s a distinct thud. A reminder that yeah, this area is sensitive.
Getting Used to Impact
We kept at it for maybe 10 minutes. Gradually increased the force of the throws just a bit. It’s a weird feeling, willingly letting someone throw a weighted ball at your side. Your instinct is to twist away or block with your arms, but the whole point was to take the impact directly on the braced area.
After the medicine ball, I moved on to some body hardening drills solo. Used a light bamboo stick, the kind sometimes used in martial arts conditioning. Very light taps along the rib cage, front and sides. Again, the focus was on breathing out and tensing on impact. Sounds a bit rough, I know, but it’s about getting the body accustomed to contact.
Did this for another 5 minutes. Just tap-tap-tap. Controlled, not trying to injure myself, obviously. Just consistent, light impact.
Finished the session with some core work, focusing heavily on oblique twists and planks, trying to build muscle armor around the area.
It wasn’t some magic transformation. My ribs didn’t suddenly become steel. But it was a start. A conscious effort, a practice, to address a perceived weakness. Felt a bit tender the next day, a dull ache, but that just told me I’d actually worked the area.
It’s something I’ve decided to incorporate more regularly now. Just short bursts, maybe twice a week. Seeing guys absorb body shots in fights, thinking about specific instances like with Shahbazyan, it just makes sense to put in the work. It’s not glamorous, it’s not heavy lifting, but it feels necessary. Just chipping away at it, practice by practice.
