When you think about boxing, this is what may first come to mind…
…and I don’t blame you if you feel discouraged when confronted with such images.
However, this summer I spent a few months in New York and as soon as I got there, I was surrounded by people talking about boxing — it was definitely the new trend. It wasn’t the first time I had heard about fitness boxing, but the entire aura of images surrounding traditional boxing (such as the one above) had always discouraged me to try it out, until several models also started recommending me it — so I gave it a try.
I remember how lost I felt once I entered that gym. It was not a fancy one, where people gossip and manage, incredibly, to workout without sweating, but a real boxing gym, mainly populated by scary-bulky-looking men. My face probably didn’t hide my surprise when I walked in, and I was greeted by one of the trainers with a ‘don’t be afraid, you’ll be fine’, which wasn’t enough to reassure me. Once I wore my gloves and the class started, I finally understood why there was such a hype for boxing. The workout is an hour long of non-stop cardio, which alternates jumping-jacks with mountain climbs, push ups, punches, running, jumping, squats, lunges, sit ups, planks and so on.
After that, I became addicted to it.
What are the main benefits of boxing compared to normal gym workouts?
1. It makes you burn more fat in less time.
This happens because it’s a high-intensity training, which means you are constantly moving throughout the workout. In an hour high-intensity boxing training you can burn up to 800 calories!
2. It makes you leaner and not bulky.
Because of the high number of repetitions and absence of weights, your body tones and you muscles acquire greater definition, which results in an increased overall body strength.
3. You can exercise anywhere.
Once you get the hang of it, you can ask a personal trainer to give you a workout plan, which, as there is no need of equipment (apart from gloves), you can do anywhere you want.
4. It’s a way to release stress.
After an hour of workout and punching bags, you will definitely feel happier and less stressed. Not only, but you will also have acquired some personal defense skills, which (you never know) may be useful in the future!
This is more what it looks like. Try it out!