We have separate classes in my gym for sparring and pad work. The pad work classes are 1 hour where we pair up and hold the pads for each other for 30mins. It is very cardio intensive (probably more than technique) and classes are usually very crowded.
I find that a random person holding pads for you in a large group may or may not always be a good workout. I also don't feel like holding pads for 30mins is the best use of my time in the gym.
I'm doing some privates at the moment but it's not something I can do in the long run. I'm thinking if it would be a better use of my time to skip the pad work classes and just do my own bag work/shadow boxing etc. instead. I will still do the sparring classes regularly.
Is it possible to make progress with just bag work and sparring or is pad work an essential element that needs to be there?
I find that a random person holding pads for you in a large group may or may not always be a good workout. I also don't feel like holding pads for 30mins is the best use of my time in the gym.
I'm doing some privates at the moment but it's not something I can do in the long run. I'm thinking if it would be a better use of my time to skip the pad work classes and just do my own bag work/shadow boxing etc. instead. I will still do the sparring classes regularly.
Is it possible to make progress with just bag work and sparring or is pad work an essential element that needs to be there?