Ok, so I was inspired to write this after a conversation with some fellow boxers from my local gym. I would just out of interest like to find out how everybody trains, and if there is a trend between the intensity of their training and their related sport.
As a boxer, and also a martial artist I have to say that I don't really follow a set program. I am very much one of the people that prefer to just simply train and train, and not make any days off, or set programs, or easy shifts, or 'rewinds' or what ever else the latest trend tends to be. I prefer to follow my heart and my passion for training.
I do have a set routine that I will follow religiously. Everyday (usually before school), I will travel to my local gym and without fail train 100 reps of left jab right cross, and then 50 reps of a left jab, and 50 reps of a right cross, and then 50 of each arm of hooks. This I follow because I believe that for me as an individual this sort of routine and repitition seems to enable me to pick up what I do and engrave it firmly within my minds. This is similiar to the type of disciplined training I take part in at my local Shotokan Karate Club. Although I will push myself to perform the above routine (usually taking about 30/40 mins), I will, on most occassions train more than this. I train in a set class or some other type of training (swimming/rugby etc) almost every night of the week anyway, but I also like to practice my Karate in a similiar way to that of my boxing, also including kicking. I do enjoy training. I do enjoy working out. With this - I do also know my limits, and what I should and shouldn't do. Although I do train an awful lot, and although to many it seems insane that I train everyday on my own, and attend Judo/Thai Boxing/Karate etc most nights of the week anyway, my body has become acustom to this type of intensity (FITT Principle) and it really isn't as tough for me to pull off anymore. It works, and it really is effective, as it is based around the way in which I learn as an individual, and ofcourse, because I train with my intensity and work to overload in relation to my mood/energy levels, it means that I get the most out of my training.
So how about you guys? What are you training for and how do you do it?

I normally flex a little then pick up my Katana and do some warm-ups. By the way I do Kendo. I do a few drills before I start to get my body accustomed to working itself. And thata about it.

Determining Your Training Goals
The first thing to do when considering taking a martial arts class is to determine what you hope to gain from martial arts training. Everyone has a reason for their interest in the martial arts, and it's important to know your options and goals so that you can really get the most out of your training and have a postive experience. Below are some common reasons for studying the martial arts and some examples of styles that fit those reasons.

Fitness/Fun Related Interests
The most common reason for training that I hear is that people want to have fun and get in better physical condition, whether that is losing weight, getting stronger or just getting more active. Martial arts is a great way to get in shape and can be really fun to learn. It will improve endurance, strength, flexibility, speed, coordination, balance and helps with overall stress levels.

While all martial arts training involves some amount of physical training, these styles are great to try for overall physical fitness:

* Tae Kwon Do
* Brazilian Ju Jitsu and other Grappling Arts
* Capoeira
* Non-traditional martial arts schools that feature fitness as a large part of their overall direction.

Self Defense
The second most common reason for studying martial arts is self defense; a very valid and important reason for learning. The following arts certainly aren't the only ones who teach self defense, but they are known to have self defense as their main focus:

* Hapkido
* Krav Maga
* Various non-traditional systems which are organized solely around self defense, often specializing in either law enforcement training or women's self defense. Many of these programs are offered by martial arts schools in addition to their core curriculum.

Interest In Traditional or Cultural Arts
Many people take great interest in the cultural or traditional aspects of martial arts training. They enjoy the discipline, traditions and methods of very traditional arts. A traditional style will features very structured training, and many people love that aspect as well. There are many traditional martial arts styles out there. Contact the classes and schools in your area to learn what is available to you.

* Shaolin Kung Fu
* Shotokan Karate
* Kuk Sool Won
* Iado
* Wing Chun
* Bujinkan

Full Contact/Combat Sports/MMA
With the success of such promotions as UFC, Pride and K1, there has been a surge of interest in training of this nature. The following arts have a full contact or combat sport focus and many times aren't traditional asian arts, but rather a mixture of multiple styles.

* San Shou
* Muay Thai
* Schools that focus on "mma" or mixed martial arts. These schools teach a combination of grappling/ground fighting such as Brazilian Ju Jitsu or catch wrestling, stand up fighting like boxing or kickboxing, and throws and submissions.

Sport, Tricks & Competition or "Xtreme" Martial Arts
Thanks to an increased presence in movies and television, a rapidly growing reason for training is for the flashy and acrobatic "Xtreme" martial arts, which combines martial basics with difficult jump kicks, flips and speedy hand combinations, done primarily for competitions. Schools that have a sport focus usually teach either a traditional or modified version of a traditional art, and simply have more of a sport focus than other schools. While competition is probably not the main feature of these schools, it can be a large part of what they do. Sport or Competition schools will teach things like traditional and creative forms or katas, gymnastics or trick martial arts techniques as well as light to medium contact sparring. Some styles where you will see this focus include:

* Tae Kwon Do
* Many otherwise traditional schools, most commonly Karate schools.
* A new breed of schools created specifically for teaching sport martial arts, run mostly by current or former champions. Hard to find, but they are certainly out there.

Once you know what you want to get out of your training and your goals are clearly defined, it will be much easier to pick a style and a school. You won't be so overwhelmed by the variety of martial arts schools available, and you will make the choice that you will be happiest with in the long run.