Instructor Profile: Robert Berridge
Robert "The Butcher" Berridge is New Zealand’s professional Light Heavyweight boxer who has had over thirty fights, holding five boxing titles and has peaked at ninth on the WBO and twelfth on the WBA rankings in 2014. High-level athletic conditioning, movement skills and equally high-level coaching abilities are all important qualities required to make it in the boxing game.
Record: Total fights 38 / Wins 30 / wins by Ko 22
Titles:
Record: Total fights 38 / Wins 30 / wins by Ko 22
Titles:
- International Boxing Organization Oceania light heavyweight title (2015)
- PABA light heavyweight title (2013)
- WBO Oriental light heavyweight title (2013)
- WBC Asian Boxing Council light heavyweight title (2013)
- New Zealand Professional Boxing Association light heavyweight title (2013)
Robert “The Butcher” Berridge
Professional Boxer, fitness & conditioning coach, strength professional
How long have you been involved with Boxing?
Since 2004, fought amateur boxing for 5 years then progressed to professional boxing in 2009.
You are acknowledged for your hard punches. Are great punchers born or can a boxer increase power by perfecting such things as strength, balance, explosiveness by physical conditioning?
I think everything can be learned with a bit of hard work and dedication. At my very first gym, we just trained hard: We had to be the fittest and toughest. For total body strengthening and conditioning, kettlebells are definitely a very special fitness and performance training tool.
Would you say that every fighter—whether they want to admit it or not—struggles with the physical conditioning aspect of the sport?
Boxing is one of the most grueling sports out there, mentally and physically, I think people definitely struggle with the physical conditioning as it takes such a toll on your body, training 2-3 times a day plus work. The time efficiency of training is another huge advantage of kettlebell training, as you can get amazing workouts in a very short time period.
All depends on what the goals are. I like to start my day with cardio (running or HIIT/Kettlebells training), during the day (often in work hours) will be pad work and in the evenings is sparring or weights.
Does your KB training change before fights? Can you give me a sample training KB sessions?
Yes, I’ll do a lot higher intensity KB trainings instead of strength work, in a fight camp “VO2 or fight gone bad” is commonly used.
What's your favourite kettlebell exercise? Do you have a favourite kettlebell workout or combination? What do you think is the best kettlebell exercise for boxers?
There are many great kettlebell exercises, but my favorite KB exercise is the Turkish get up (TGU). It’s a very powerful, dynamic, and fundamental exercise, like the kettlebell swing and that is definitely a GO TO work out for me and I like to go heavy. I think snatches for boxers would be the best because of the explosiveness of the exercise. The biggest benefit is that all of the kettlebell exercises are essentially total body exercises.
You are certified Nz Iron Level 2 Kettlebell instructor for years now. What was the biggest thing you learned at the Nz Iron Workshop?
Without a doubt It was learning the technique from certified instructors and how to perform the key exercises correctly. I followed qualified instructions from the beginning, that has started me off the right way. I achieved great results faster and train more safely than if I would have to figured it out on my own. Everything starts with the solid foundation that you can then build on. It’s a very different type of training from other.
Why do you like Kettlebell training and what are the benefits of Kettlebell training for boxers?
I like KB training because it’s simple and effective, you don't need lots of space and with Kettlebells you can get a very high intensity workout done in a short amount of time. I think it’s beneficial for combat athletes because it's very functional and a lot of the exercises use full body movements and they are also very explosive movements.
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