i like toms idea about the flurries. i remember watching an old boxing match and the trainer was saying he had a guy in his gym that was a distance runner. the guy would tire easily in a match. he was a new boxer. It made me realize the importance of the right kind of conditioning. for myself, i do regular cardio like the eliptical trainer and some sprints. i find it very necessary to do a lot of kicking and punching also. if your style includes kicking...throw a bunch of kicks covering the entire spectrum. this will probably wear you out quickly. also, do the same with hand strikes. sometimes i think to myself how out of shape i am compared to the pros. but these are the things we have to practice. the grueling stuff isn't fun but it's important. practice form THEN speed. it'll keep us sharp, in shape, and ready..good luck tommboy. let me know what you decide.