Many people think ripped muscles, lightning hand and leg speed, and perfect technique are the only things you need to develop knockout power in striking-based martial arts such as Muay Thai, Boxing, and Mixed Martial Arts, but there’s a less glamorous, often-overlooked factor that also plays a crucial role: bone density.
That’s right, your bones aren’t just holding everything together, they’re shock absorbers, power transmitters, and key to developing fight-ending power. The stronger and denser your bones are, the more force they can take and dish out, without buckling under pressure.
It doesn’t matter if you’re throwing elbows, checking kicks, or landing a cross; dense bones help you stay in the fight longer.
Fortunately, you can train and strengthen your bones like your muscles. Let’s break down how to build bone density so you can throw more powerful punches and kicks.
Why Bone Density Matters In Combat Sports
Strong bones are crucial for martial arts like Muay Thai, which involves checking leg kicks or slamming your shin into opponents’ heads. Solid forearm and wrist bones help absorb impact and deliver cleaner punches in combat sports like boxing.
Low bone density may increase the risk of minor stress on your bones and gradual wear over time. Not exactly ideal when you’re training for a fight.
Bone mass peaks in your 20s and starts declining after age 30, but don’t panic, you can maintain and even improve your bone density even when you’re past fighting age.
Exercises That Build Bone Density
Bones get stronger through something called mechanical loading. That means putting stress on them, so they adapt. You have to stimulate them to grow stronger, just as is the case with your muscles.
Weight-bearing exercises strengthen bones as much as they strengthen muscles. Examples include squats, deadlifts, lunges, bench presses, and rows.
Start with compound lifts, which put mechanical load on your spine and hips, like back squats and deadlifts. These movements signal your body to create new bone and muscle tissues. These exercises transform your bones as much as your muscles. You just don’t get to see the results of your bones getting stronger as much, while muscles are visible.
Lifting heavy weights won’t make you slow like some misconceptions suggest. Done right, it actually improves your explosive power, which translates into stronger punches and kicks. Just ask any high-level striker.
Jump squats, box jumps, burpees with a hop — all those bouncy movements apply short bursts of high-impact stress to your bones, stimulating growth.
But don’t go full kangaroo mode on day one. Start with low-impact versions and build up.
3) Impact Conditioning
Muay Thai practitioners have been doing this forever. Shin conditioning, heavy bag work, and pad drills slowly condition your bones over time.
You’re not trying to destroy your bones to rebuild them; you just want to encourage micro-adaptations that lead to stronger, denser bone tissue. Don’t go straight to trying to chop down a banana tree with your kicks like experienced Muay Thai fighters. Those guys have been conditioning their shins for years.
Regularly stimulating your shins gradually stimulates the growth of harder, denser bone tissues. Even light kick checking drills with training partners help condition your shins.
Bodyweight exercises like pushups, lunges, and squats also help maintain bone health, especially when you’re just starting out or recovering. Plus, they’re great for joint health and mobility.
Best Foods To Boost Bone Strength
You can lift all you want, but your bones won’t grow if they lack the needed raw materials. Here’s what to add to your diet:
1) Calcium
This is the most important macronutrient regarding bone health. Adults need about 1,000 mg of calcium daily (more if you’re over 50). Getting your calcium from natural sources is preferred since it’s easier for your body to absorb.
Load up on:
- Dairy products include milk, yogurt, and cheese. Calcium-fortified plant milks are solid options for lactose-intolerant people.
- Leafy greens like kale, collards, and bok choy.
- Canned fish with bones, like sardines and salmon.
2) Vitamin D
Your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium properly, so ensure you’re getting enough. Unfortunately, people who spend most of their time indoors are often vitamin D deficient.
Sources of vitamin D include:
- Sun exposure. Try to get 15 to 30 minutes of sun exposure daily.
- Fatty fish like tuna, mackerel, and salmon.
- Egg yolks.
- Supplements (if needed — get your levels checked).
3) Magnesium And Vitamin K2
These guys don’t get the spotlight, but they help direct calcium into your bones, not your arteries, which is a good thing.
You can find these macronutrients in:
- Nuts and seeds such as almonds and pumpkin seeds.
- Whole grains.
- Leafy greens.
- Fermented foods like natto.
4) Protein
Your bones also need protein to grow stronger. Aim for a solid 1.2 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, especially if you’re training hard.
Top sources of protein include:
- Meat, fish, and eggs.
- Greek yogurt.
- Lentils, tofu, tempeh.
5) Collagen And Gelatin
Collagen and gelatin support bone and joint health. Add bone broth to your diet or take collagen peptide supplements.
What To Avoid If You Want Strong Bones
Some habits that can sabotage your gains, regardless of how well you train or diet, include:
- Consuming Too Much Alcohol: It interferes with bone-building cells. A few beers occasionally are fine, but a six-pack every night will weaken your bones.
- Smoking: Reduces blood flow and hinders bone-forming cells. Also, your lungs will hate you during sparring sessions.
- Excessive Caffeine: Too much caffeine isn’t ideal for your bones. Reduce your caffeine intake if you need a few cups of coffee to start your day.
Bonus Tips To Maximize Your Bone Gains
Other things you can do to promote bone growth include:
- Sleep Well: Your body builds bone and muscle tissues while you rest. Aim for seven to nine hours.
- Train Outdoors When You Can: Combine weight-bearing exercise with sunlight to double-dip on bone health.
- Get A DEXA Scan: If you’re serious about tracking bone density, this scan can give you a baseline.
Strong Bones Make You More Powerful And Durable
If you want to be a heavy hitter inside the ring or cage, you’ll have to train your bones as much as you train your muscles. Add the different types of exercises on our list to your workouts and ensure your bones get all the nutrients they need to become stronger.
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