I have two older cousins who have been boxing since we were kids, and not only do they love it, but they’re amazing at it. In my young mind, I never understood why anyone would want to participate in a sport that; it was so violent. It wasn’t until recently, when I found myself exploring everything the fitness industry had to offer, that I understood.
Boxing is so much more than we see in the ring and on pay-per-view. It is more than the blood, the beatings, and the biting of human flesh. Besides the physical benefits that boxing has to offer, it teaches confidence, discipline, humility, patience, and discernment. I’ve taken a couple boxing classes and have had one-on-one training in the past, and although it’s been a while, I am familiar with the feeling that boxing can bring to its athletes. This week I decided to throw myself back in and try a few different classes.
As a sport, boxing requires speed, strength, agility, power, endurance, balance, breath control, and coordination. When you step into a boxing training as part of your fitness regimen, you practice those same skills. The biggest difference here is that you won’t be taking any punches from an opponent. The many positive physical and emotional benefits has celebrities, athletes, and models lining up to get a taste, which is why it continues to rank as one of the top fitness activities.
Enhanced cardiovascular health
This is for all of us who get bored after 5 minutes on the treadmill or Stairmaster. You don’t have to be running or climbing to get an efficient cardio workout. In a boxing workout, you see level changes, quick movement, and impact in the form of punches. This all puts a certain level of stress on the heart and lungs and forces them to adapt. As with anything, the more practice, the better.
Improved Total Body Strength
Most boxing workouts include