A few questions.

[Toby]

Hey people,

I just have a few questions that have been plauging me for a while now and hope you can help me out here.

1) When ever I'm practicing punching techniquies on the heavy bag (with my left hand) the top knuckle on my middle finger always seems to get sore if I try and punch too hard or too fast. (and it's usually sore the day after as well) I don't really know why it should be, as I can punch fine using the same knuckle, but on my right hand. Maybe cause' I have a lot less power in my left side, I'm not sure.

2) When doing any type of dumbell exercise, should you only use a certain amount of weight (I'm using 11lbs in each hand at the moment) or should you try and increase your weight in steady intervals, like you would using a barbell when doing bench press?

3) Latelty, I've been having trouble sleeping. No matter what time I go to bed, whether it be 9 or 10, 11 or 12 (I usually wake up between 7:30 and 8, assuming I've had a good nights sleep). The earlier I go to bed and try and get some sleep (I struggle), the more I wake up during the night as well.

I hope that's clear enough so someone can shed some light on these issues. Any input is welcome.

Sorry about the long post.

Toby.

[bushido_man96]

1. By the top knuckle, do you mean the standard knuckle for making contact? If so, evaluate your technique as compared to your right hand, to see if you are doing anything different. Also, try focusing striking with the index and middle finger knuckles, and not just one. Otherwise, it may be just a matter of conditioning, and will improve with time. When it is sore, rest it.

2. You can increase your dumbell weight at steady intervals. When you feel that the weight you use is too light, bump it up five pounds. Make sure that whatever action you are doing (like if it is punching) doesn't overstress the elbow joint, shoulder joint, or whatever you are working on.

3. You need to set a bedtime, and stick to it. Not 9 one night, and 12 the next. After some time, your body will adjust to the schedule. Also, if you nap for any excessive amount of time during the day, you may have trouble getting to sleep at night. My wife is an exception, who can get 7-8 hours of sleep a night, and then take a 4 hour nap in the afternoon, and then go to sleep at 10 .

One more thing...don't worry about making long posts . We like 'em!

[Toby]

1. By the top knuckle, do you mean the standard knuckle for making contact? If so, evaluate your technique as compared to your right hand, to see if you are doing anything different. Also, try focusing striking with the index and middle finger knuckles, and not just one. Otherwise, it may be just a matter of conditioning, and will improve with time. When it is sore, rest it.

2. You can increase your dumbell weight at steady intervals. When you feel that the weight you use is too light, bump it up five pounds. Make sure that whatever action you are doing (like if it is punching) doesn't overstress the elbow joint, shoulder joint, or whatever you are working on.

3. You need to set a bedtime, and stick to it. Not 9 one night, and 12 the next. After some time, your body will adjust to the schedule. Also, if you nap for any excessive amount of time during the day, you may have trouble getting to sleep at night. My wife is an exception, who can get 7-8 hours of sleep a night, and then take a 4 hour nap in the afternoon, and then go to sleep at 10 .

One more thing...don't worry about making long posts . We like 'em!

Thanks for the advice.

1) Yes, I mean the standard knuckle for making contact. I'll try out what you have suggested and see how that goes. Although, I can't exactly help the way things are. My right side is a lot faster, more balanced, and stronger. Just the way things are.

2) I'm not sure if you understood what I was trying to get across in my first post. When I said dumbell exercises I meant: curls, flies, rows, etc. Not techniquies. Sorry, I should of been clearer on that.

3) i'll see how that goes... I'll just have to figure out what would be the best time for me to stick to.

Again,

Thanks for the reply.

Toby.