Boxing as a sport requires a high level of athletic skills: strength, speed, agility, hand-eye coordination, endurance, nerve, and power, just to name several required attributes. Boxing as a fitness activity enables the average person to hone those same athletic skills, all without having to take a punch. If you’re hoping to get in great shape and improve your health, here are 7 benefits that will have you itching to start sparring.
Boxing is a total-body workout.
Boxing targets the entire body, not only boost strength and cardiorespiratory fitness, also improves several skills like balance, coordination, reactivity, and agility. During a boxing workout, you may throw hundreds of punches, requiring your upper body, lower body, and core to engage as you contact the bag or mitts.
Boxing burns more calories in less time.
Boxing is considered the ultimate high-intensity interval training workout, each boxing rounds includes periods of maximum effort and active recovery. Boxing is an aerobic and an anaerobic workout. With a potential burn rate of 13 calories a minute, boxing goes neck-to-neck with other types of cardio like running and cycling. So, plan to punch away anywhere from 200 to 400 calories per half hour.
Boxing flattens your stomach
Want to show those abs? Put the sit-ups on the back burner and get in the ring instead. Boxing is extremely functional. To get full extension and deliver more powerful punches you need to rotate your hips and engage your core. As result you’re burning more calories than you would lying on the floor for isolated abs work.
Boxing safely pushes your limits
You heard about tire flipping and box jumping, forget about that! —boxing is just as effective and demanding and let’s face it, way safer. Better yet, you can train with the same intensity and purpose of a competitive boxer in your home or gym.
Boxing keeps your body changing
It’s easy for your fitness routine to become boring, but boxing will keep your body guessing. Unlike running on the treadmill, there’s always something new to learn. And that means your muscles will never hit plateau, so your body will continue changing too.
Boxing knocks out stress
Whether you had a long day at work, or you fought with the crowd on your commute, or the driving in New York City drove you crazy, boxing will help you calm down. There’s nothing better to release some stress than punching a mitt or a heavy bag. Not only is hitting something a healthy and productive way to help you let go of tension, the rush of endorphins released are also likely to make you happier too.
Boxing builds hand-eye coordination
Coordination helps you perform better in any workout and helps the brain-body connection. Hand-eye coordination is key for boxing and most exercise routines don’t do much in this department. Punching a heavy bag or doing mitt work requires focused movements and amazing recall, challenging your muscles and your mind.