“Float like a buttefly, sting like a bee…” or at least just try to keep up and keep breathing!
It had been a while since I had been on the attacking side of boxing. I’ve been receiving punches from clients for a while… I decided it was my turn.
I called up a fellow trainer and friend of mine for a workout. We chose the perfect day – stinking hot and we were out in the park but still loving life! As I followed her commands and got into my groove it brought back fantastic memories of learning to box.
There are MANY benefits of boxing, it is a fantastic workout and definately challenges a range of skills. Firstly though I must say that there is a difference between proper boxing and pad work and boxercise type boxing. I did not learn proper boxing in a fight scenario, I learnt padwork for Personal Trainers to use with their clients and how to teach it. Boxercise is a high volume saturation type of boxing. There’s a little less skill and focus on technique involved, it’s fun, social and incorporates other exercises with it i.e push ups, sit ups, squats, lunges and running. Whatever it is you’re doing though you’re in for a great workout!
According to Punchfit (where I became accredited) “Boxing is one of the most demanding but also most rewarding forms of exercise training. It conditions your entire body and provides one of the most challenging and enjoyable workouts of any sport. The physiological as well as psychological benefits of boxing are extensive. These include increased self discipline and self confidence, increased agility, speed, coordination, endurance and strength. Unlike most forms of training, reflexes are also improved and skills are learnt.”
“Boxing is a high intensity full-body workout that will make you physically stronger as well as aerobically and anaerobically fitter. It is a complete workout for your cardiovascular and endurance systems as well as training upper body, lower body and core strength. Calorie expenditure and fat burning are very elevated during boxing as it is such a high intensity workout utilizing large muscle groups and constantly keeps you moving. Boxing does not tend to add muscle bulk as much as tone and define muscle because it involves such high repetitions.”
“Boxing is a workout that can accommodate for all levels of strength and fitness and can be enjoyed by beginner to advanced participants. Drills can easily be modified to increase or decrease intensity and complexity of the workout. ”
With benefits like that what are you waiting for?
Some things to keep in mind though, boxing is not recommended for pregnant women. If you have weak wrists it would be a good idea to get wrist supports or strapping and make sure you are well hydrated.
You can get involved at any level. Whether it’s joining a boxing class at a gym or a proper boxing gym, practising with a friend, getting a punching bag or focus pads, enlisting the help of a PT who specialises in boxing or martial arts. Getting a few lessons in the basics is well worth it, and I highly recommend it. You can then take those skills and workout by yourself or with friends safely.
Had a bad day or week? Feeling a bit frustrated? I guarantee you will feel better after a good boxing workout. It’s a great stress release and quite theraputic as you picture your antagonizers face on the focus pad as you punch!
So will I be calling upon my friend for another workout? You betcha and i’ll be serving it back to her 😉
For more information visit the Punchfit website here
Or maybe read some common questions or fears here
Happy boxing people!