How to Train Like a Pro Boxer: Tips From MMA Fighter Christina Marks
When it comes to training like a professional boxer, few people embody the grit, discipline, and expertise needed to thrive at the highest levels quite like Christina Marks. As a professional MMA fighter, UFC Gym coach, and Litesport trainer, Christina knows what it takes to dominate in the ring and beyond. With a background in Muay Thai, a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and years of experience coaching athletes of all levels, Christina has crafted a unique training philosophy that combines technique, intensity, and a champion’s mindset.
In this blog, we dive into Christina’s expert tips for training like a professional boxer, including strategies, exercises, and recovery practices to take your skills to the next level. We’ll also share how you can train with Christina on Litesport!
Training Techniques: Building the Foundation of a Champion
When asked about the difference between training like a professional and a casual workout, Christina emphasizes intentionality and intensity.
“As a professional fighter, every aspect of training serves a purpose—whether it’s building power, endurance, or perfecting technique. Casual workouts focus on general fitness, but a pro’s training plan is designed to simulate fight conditions and prepare for the mental and physical demands of competition.”
Key Tips for Beginners
For those starting their boxing journey, Christina suggests focusing on three fundamentals:
Stance: Sets the foundation for balance and mobility.
Guard: Protects you from incoming strikes.
Jab: The cornerstone of boxing—it helps you measure distance, set up combinations, and control the fight.
As for building confidence in these moves, Christina suggests consistency:
“Confidence comes from repetition and mastering the basics. Sparring in a controlled environment also helps—it teaches you to trust your skills and stay composed under pressure.”
Building Power and Speed
Christina recommends medicine ball throws and resistance band shadowboxing to improve punch power. Interval heavy bag drills and double-end bag work are key to honing precision and speed.
Mastering Footwork
“Footwork is everything,” Christina says. “It keeps you balanced, helps you evade punches, and sets up your offense.” She advises practicing agility drills, such as the ladder drill, and perfecting the “step, slide” movement to maintain your stance while moving in and out of range.
Cross-Training for a Balanced Fighter
Christina draws on her Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu background to enhance her boxing training. Muay Thai sharpens her ability to use angles and understand distance, while jiu-jitsu builds mental focus and endurance.
To build explosiveness and endurance, Christina incorporates:
Plyometrics: Box jumps and explosive push-ups.
Compound Lifts: Deadlifts and squats.
High-Intensity Drills: Sprints and assault bike intervals simulate the intensity of a fight.
“On the bike, I’ll do 30 seconds of all-out effort, 10 seconds of rest, and repeat for six rounds. I do something similar with sprints—short bursts of high intensity followed by brief recovery. These mimic the high-intensity bursts and quick rests you experience during a fight.”
She balances her routine with yoga, Pilates, hiking, and swimming to prevent injuries and keep her body strong and flexible.
Mindset: Train Your Brain Like a Fighter
Christina’s secret to mental toughness is staying connected to your “why.”
“Remind yourself of your goals and what drives you to push through. Mental toughness comes from preparation—knowing you’ve put in the work helps you stay confident in tough moments.”
When setbacks happen, Christina views them as learning opportunities:
“Analyze what went wrong, identify areas to improve, and get back to work. Every challenge makes you better if you’re willing to adapt.”
Train at Home Like a Pro with Litesport
Litesport brings Christina’s expertise into your living room, making it easier than ever to train like a professional. Christina highlights shadowboxing as her favorite Litesport feature, which allows users to refine form, footwork, and timing with real-time feedback.
Her advice for making the most out of your Litesport workout? Don’t treat it like a game.
“Approach it with the same intensity you would in the gym. Use the feedback to adjust and improve.”
Three-Round Boxing Circuit
For those short on time, Christina suggests a quick 3-round circuit:
Round one: Shadowboxing (focus on technique).
Round two: High-intensity heavy bag or pad work.
Round three: Core work (planks and twists).
Finish with a stretch to recover and reset.
Fuel and Recover Like a Fighter
Speaking of recovery, Christina emphasizes the importance of nutrition and recovery for peak performance. Here’s what Christina likes to eat pre and post-workout when preparing for a fight or intense training day:
Pre-Workout: Lean protein (chicken or eggs), complex carbs (oatmeal or sweet potato), and a piece of fruit for quick energy.
Post-Workout: A protein shake with banana and almond butter, followed by a balanced meal with veggies, protein, and healthy fats.
Recovery is non-negotiable for Christina. Here are her go-to’s:
“Sleep is number one. I also swear by active recovery like light stretching or walking, Epsom salt baths, and regular sports massages. Hydration and proper nutrition are also critical for recovery.”
Inspiration from Christina’s Journey
Christina draws inspiration from her grandmother’s strength and resilience and her son, who has watched her compete since he was two weeks old.
“Seeing him there, knowing he’s my number one fan, has kept me going for so long. I wanted to show him what it means to be a professional athlete—the discipline, dedication, and the grit. More importantly, I wanted to show him what it means to show up in every way possible. He’s my biggest motivator, and knowing he’s looking up to me inspires me to push harder every day.”
Her advice for beginners?
“Be patient with yourself. Progress takes time, and it’s okay to fail along the way. Focus on consistency, and don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s—just keep showing up.”
How to Train with Christina
As one of our Litesport pros, you’ll find Christina across all our workout modes, including Boxing, Strength, and Total Body. Christina is also a major player in our Teamwork workouts if you’re craving extra motivation and trainer guidance.
If you want more dedicated training with Christina, check out her Shadow Strength Program. This two-week, six-class program blends dynamic strength training with foundational MMA moves, footwork, and combinations to help you master the fundamentals while building strength and power. Whether you're stepping into the cage or looking to elevate your fitness, this program prepares you to train like a pro with confidence.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned athlete, Christina Marks’ insights and workouts will help you train like a pro, hone your skills, and build the confidence of a champion. Ready to step into the ring? Grab your headset, start your 7-day free trial, and let’s go!
