What sport requires the best physical condition?

[Gutter92]

I'm not talking about on average...I mean to be the best of the best at your sport.

[j.dizzle]

Porn

[phyzik]

IMHO, Soccer. I cant stand watching it, its boring as shit, but to run up and down that field non-stop is rediculous.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Boxing, hands down (no pun intended)

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Soccer requires you to be fast and incredibly fit to withstand two periods of 45 minutes of almost constant sprinting.

Boxing might be as well. Damn demanding.

[Cry Havoc]

Boxing, hands down (no pun intended)

Anyone who does not put boxing has no concept of how demanding the sport actually is, or has very little experience with it in general.

Boxing not only wins this, but by a WIDE margin. Boxers have to be in far better physical condition all the way around than other athletes. It's not even really debatable as far as I'm concerned.

Running 100 yards at top speed requires a certain level of fitness, but it is NOTHING compared to throwing punches for three minutes, as well as ducking, diving, and moving constantly. Boxing is football to the 3rd or 4th power.

I would say the only sports that can even claim to be in the realm of boxing are water polo and the ironman events (the longer ones that involve 10-20k runs with a 5k swim and a 30-50k biking portion).

[DeadlyDynasty]

Anyone who does not put boxing has no concept of how demanding the sport actually is, or has very little experience with it in general.

Boxing not only wins this, but by a WIDE margin. Boxers have to be in far better physical condition all the way around than other athletes. It's not even really debatable as far as I'm concerned.

Running 100 yards at top speed requires a certain level of fitness, but it is NOTHING compared to throwing punches for three minutes, as well as ducking, diving, and moving constantly. Boxing is football to the 3rd or 4th power.

+1

Boxing for just two 3-minute rounds is enough to make a normal human being pass out

[Cry Havoc]

+1

Boxing for just two 3-minute rounds is enough to make a normal human being pass out

Running a marathon is easier, IMO, than throwing punches for 12 rounds, because you end up moving probably 5-10k worth in a ring anyway.

[Medvedenko]

I put boxing or MMA. Being super fit is paramount not to mention reacting and performing while getting punched repeatedly in the face.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Running a marathon is easier, IMO, than throwing punches for 12 rounds, because you end up moving probably 5-10k worth in a ring anyway.

not to mention you're not taking incessant body blows and shots to the chops when you're running a marathon

[Gutter92]

yea, but a marathon has no possibility of the "match" ending in a minute.

[mabrignani]

soccer, futbol, calcio, chingchanghiawatha(chinese for soccer)

[DJB]

Soccer would come in #2. I don't care what anybody says on this board, nothing takes physical conditioning like boxing does. Nothing.

[ohmwrecker]

I used to box a little. My trainer would begin my 5am training by making me run until I puked . . . then, I would box.

[Cry Havoc]

yea, but a marathon has no possibility of the "match" ending in a minute.

Doesn't matter. You don't train for the match to last a round. You train for the match to last a minimum of 5 rounds (unless you're an amateur, and 3 rounds is still a serious workout). Most big fights are 12 these days, so you train to fight hard for 12 rounds.

A marathon allows you to set your own pace, and flag off if you're not feeling up to snuff. You can be in perfect shape during a boxing match and one punch knocks all the wind out of you. Short of random falls during a long run, you don't have to worry about that kind of thing. If I train to run a marathon in 3 hours, I'm probably going to be able to run anywhere from a 2 hour 50 minute marathon to a 3 hour 10 minute marathon. There's nothing there that forces you to adapt like a boxing match does.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sportSkills

This is difficulty, not physical conditioning, but I believe they are closely related. Personally I feel gymnastics is a little underrated in this table, and some other sports are overrated, but other than that it's a fairly accurate list.

[ElNono]

I smell skunk...

tee, hee

lmemulatedao!

[Sportstudi]

Out of the above: Boxing. It's not even close.

Other than that and IMO even more demanding: Triathlon (long distance). I have no idea if anyone of you ever tried it (I did it as my avocation includes racing bicycle and long-distance running; swimming as well, but to a lesser extent), but the pain you feel after a couple of hours is insane. At that point you need to will yourself through it, your body is not able to react actively anymore.

[Cry Havoc]

Out of the above: Boxing. It's not even close.

Other than that and IMO even more demanding: Triathlon (long distance). I have no idea if anyone of you ever tried it (I did it as my avocation includes racing bicycle and long-distance running; swimming as well, but to a lesser extent), but the pain you feel after a couple of hours is insane. At that point you need to will yourself through it, your body is not able to react actively anymore.

The only thing that really does draw away from triathletes is how strong you have to be. Make no mistake, Triathletes have to have a lot of muscle strength/endurance, but no way on the same sustained level that a boxer does. Throwing a punch requires MUCH more raw power than distance running or biking, or even swimming.

[DMX7]

Yeah, Boxing then basketball then football.

[Sportstudi]

The only thing that really does draw away from triathletes is how strong you have to be. Make no mistake, Triathletes have to have a lot of muscle strength/endurance, but no way on the same sustained level that a boxer does. Throwing a punch requires MUCH more raw power than distance running or biking, or even swimming.

Well, have you ever tried triathlon? The problem is that you need different muscles in the various disciplines. Go and swim like 4k and then try to cycle. The feeling is so weird, it's hard to describe. Additionally, the course is also a problem. On Hawaii or Lanzarote, you swim in the ocean. And if you have a hilly or a flat stage for cycling and running needs to be taken into consideration as well.

And as middle distance or to go even further long-distance last over 5 hours (ironman like +10 hours if you are not a pro; a pro needs like 8-8.5 hours) I think it's harder than boxing. However, I have to admit that I'm not a boxer. But I think we can easily agree that out of the list above boxing is the most demanding one. :toast

[LnGrrrR]

Hockey is right up there too. There's a reason that the shifts are only a few minutes long. Skating takes a ton of energy, then combine that with all the gear they wear.... lots of conditioning.

[Cane]

Tbh I don't see how soccer can be considered top two when it comes to the most physically demanding sports at the most elite levels. I'm not saying constant running and kicking isn't a workout but Boxing, MMA, Gridiron Football, Hockey, and crazy marathon sports like triathlons seem much more demanding physically.

[AussieFanKurt]

You left out the sport that's played on a field 170m long and 150m wide or in terms of yards 187 yards long and 165yards wide. The game also runs for 2 hours (4 quarters of 30 minutes) and can have hits as big as NFL yet they wear no padding

X_hqosNvv5E

bADbFOWx8J8

[Koolaid_Man]

I'm not talking about on average...I mean to be the best of the best at your sport.


everyone knows white water rafting is tha shit...nothing squares you up with death as this does...

Koolaid's Domain

YyhpyCJZI4k

so385dCUoJM

[xellos88330]

Boxing, and it is no contest.

After all, you are actually training to prevent your ass from getting kicked. It would be wise to stay in tip top shape.

[Koolaid_Man]

Boxing, and it is no contest.

After all, you are actually training to prevent your ass from getting kicked. It would be wise to stay in tip top shape.


nope getting hit in the face by a rapid is like a Gorilla punch...boxing ain't got shit on mother nature....:rollin

[rickross]

Lol boxing, check dis nigga out, i bet u dat sport requires a physical condition far beyond what mere mortals can grasp.

N_ouh5qJaTA

[Koolaid_Man]

Lol boxing, check dis nigga out, i bet u dat sport requires a physical condition far beyond what mere mortals can grasp.

N_ouh5qJaTA


now a nigga like rick ross wouldn't know what a gym look like if it was full of cup cakes...

[rickross]

now a nigga like rick ross wouldn't know what a gym look like if it was full of cup cakes...

nigga i got my own PRIVATE gym wit hoez included. Quit hatin on a playa! :king

[Koolaid_Man]

nigga i got my own PRIVATE gym wit hoez included. Quit hatin on a playa! :king


I'm sure you do...serving donuts at the front door and for every 1 min on the treadmill you get 3 cupcakes...Like Pac told Biggie...you ain't no playa son... if you didn't have Ho's before your record deal then you a trick nigga...dem MOB words to live by son...:lol

[Jt.ONE]

lol @ golf option

track and field / sprinting should be there and win TBH

[frodo]

hocky imho. the hocky league has held more brawls in its history than any other sport (or even all others combined).

[BlairForceDejuan]

Crossfit.

[Cry Havoc]

You left out the sport that's played on a field 170m long and 150m wide or in terms of yards 187 yards long and 165yards wide. The game also runs for 2 hours (4 quarters of 30 minutes) and can have hits as big as NFL yet they wear no padding

X_hqosNvv5E

bADbFOWx8J8

I have to laugh any time someone says there are hits as hard as there are in the NFL with no padding. You obviously haven't watched much NFL.

Ray Lewis running full speed into someone with no padding would have enough power to kill them. Literally snap their spinal column. I'm watching these videos and yes, there are some hard hits.... however, no disrespect to your sport, but nothing compares to the net force inflicted by NFL level hits. They don't wear padding because they're sissies or because it's convenient... they wear them because they have to.

[024]

bear wrestling.

[ezau]

Boxing by a very wide margin. These guys have to work on their endurance to last 12 rounds, then try not to get hit as much as possible. It's a tough sport and, you can't even ask to be subbed.

[Cry Havoc]

lol 5 votes for Golf.

[Yorae]

Boxing is a brutal sport. It's a death wish to get out there and not be in very good shape.

[Trill Clinton]

lol 5 votes for Golf.


:king

[TE]

Soccer

[Jose Canseco]

Like most said, of the ones listed boxing easily and by a good margin. If you ever sparred before with someone who knows how to box, it's pretty crazy. 3 minutes seems like a lifetime. In other sports, even soccer, there are times during a match where you can relax and catch your breath. In boxing, because of the individual nature, even when you're dancing and not exchanging blows, you're in constant movement with constant intensity. Not only does throwing punches wear you out, but taking punches is what really separates it from things like a triathalon, as grueling and physically demanding as that is too.

But I'm glad Havoc mentioned one other sport not listed:


I would say the only sports that can even claim to be in the realm of boxing are water polo and the ironman events (the longer ones that involve 10-20k runs with a 5k swim and a 30-50k biking portion).

I actually think it's close between boxing and water polo. I actually would probably lean towards water polo in fact. I know a couple people who played water polo in college, and they're about as insane of athletes as you'll find. Not only mentally but their physical conditioning. They're insanely fit athletes, probably the best conditioned athletes of any sport. You're talking about a cross between a wrestler, a gymnast, a baseball player, and a long distance swimmer. You don't only need endurance and balance, but you're treading water the whole time, legs always moving to keep you afloat. Then you're wrestling people under water for position at both ends of the pool. In between, you're swimming from one end to the other. If that weren't enough, at different times during a match for different amounts of time, you have to hold your breath, while you're swimming or when you're wrestling with an opponent for position or fighting for possession of the ball. And oh, when you're not doing those things, you have to push your upper body out of the water and throw the ball. It's a crazy fucking sport.

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

It's kind of difficult to make a definitive list, because some sports require more stamina, others strength, others acceleration and pace, etc.

I'd go with:

1) Boxing/MMA/ Kickboxing
2) Ultraman Triathlon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraman_%28endurance_challenge%29) / Winter Triathlon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_triathlon)
3) Australian football / Rugby (combinations of American Football strength and power mixed with soccer's stamina and pace)

[Halberto]

I've never been in a legit boxing match, but I wrestled in high school. Going six minutes was absolutely brutal, so I can only imagine what 12 rounds of exchanging body hits would be like.

[TinTin]

tennis

[IronMexican]

Has no one watched I'm gonna Git' you Sucka?

Try running a few blocks with a TV on your back, and the police helicopter searchlights on you. The answer is obviously the black Olympics.

[John_spurs]

soccer

[colargol]

Darts......