As a second-semester grad student, my life suddenly feels like someone hit “shuffle” on my entire schedule. New classes, new responsibilities, a new sleep cycle (kind of), and somewhere in the middle of it all, this craving to finally get back on my health grind. I told myself this semester would be my reset button — the moment I’d start doing things that made me feel stronger, mentally and physically. So naturally, I started looking for a workout that didn’t feel like a chore. That’s when I stumbled across a cardio boxing class that looked equal parts intimidating and kind of fun. And with 2026 here, it felt like the perfect time to channel my stress into a punching bag… literally.
I grew up hearing about boxing legends — Muhammad Ali floating, Mike Tyson swinging, Rocky Balboa charging up those steps like he had something to prove. Meanwhile, I’m just a girl who may or may not get winded walking up a couple flights of stairs to my dorm. But something about boxing felt symbolic. Maybe it was the idea of punching out my academic stress, or maybe I just liked the dramatic fantasy of entering my “fighter era.”
So I finally signed up for a BAGS class at EverybodyFights (EBF), a boxing gym in Boston. Walking in, I hyped myself up like an underdog stepping into the ring for the first time (and it didn’t hurt that the downtown location literally has one). To say the least, that first class became my Rocky moment — gloves on, heart racing, and this tiny hope that maybe I’d finally found the workout that fits.
From the moment I walked in, I felt genuinely welcomed.
A BAGS class is an interval-based heavy-bag workout that blends boxing combinations with floor exercises to strengthen both the upper and lower body. It’s designed not just for conditioning, but also for learning boxing fundamentals. It’s 50 minutes total, broken into 12 rounds.
They provide mitts through the membership (you can bring your own if you prefer), and wraps are available for purchase at the desk. I decided to keep it simple for my first class—no flashy gear, just me and whatever bag fate handed me. And in a small but sweet touch, I even got a personalized postcard from the front desk welcoming me to my first session, which instantly made me feel like part of the community.
As I made my way to the bags room around 5:30 p.m., trainers waved and other members offered friendly nods and smiles. I was relieved I didn’t feel singled out as a newbie; five other people were trying the class for the first time too, so it felt like a mini “we’re all in this together” moment (High School Musical style).
My instructor, Lynzie Luschenat, who’s been boxing for four years and teaching at EBF for three, was fantastic. Every trainer checks in with newcomers or anyone managing injuries five minutes before class, so she came over to talk with me beforehand. “If you’re going to take a class for the first time, arrive early,” she says. “Once they know you’re a first-timer, they’ll help guide you through it.”
She walked me through the moves step-by-step and broke everything down clearly, which meant I could follow along without flailing or pretending I knew what I was doing. And even when I didn’t, she encouraged me to keep punching. Once Round One started, feeling lost was the last thing on my mind.
Everyone has their own bag — mine was Bag 22, tucked in the corner. Luschenat recommends picking one closer to the middle so instructors “can see you and help you throughout.” There are 42 bags total, and the room was lively that night with nearly 30 people. Still, it never felt overcrowded or intimidating. Instead, it felt energetic in the best way — everyone was there to work and have fun, not to judge. I actually enjoyed being in the back with the two people beside me.
“When it’s a smaller crew, you get more one-on-one time,” Luschenat explains. “But there’s such a different vibe when there are a lot of people. People pick up on each other’s energy.” The room is completely dark with colorful LED lights flashing, giving it a club-like feel — exactly what EBF was going for.
Warming up is just as important as the punching itself.
I didn’t expect the warm-up to be such a major part of the class, but honestly, it was almost as important as the bag work. Before we even got near the bags, we were already sweating through jumping jacks, planks, stretches — all the things you don’t think about when you picture “boxing.” “What I love about the bags class is that you get a little bit of everything,” Luschenat says. “It’s a strength and cardio class all in one.”
And I’ll just admit it: I am a sweater. Not a cute, dainty “light misting” kind of person. More like downpour with a beet-red face. By the end of the warm-up, I was soaked, and we hadn’t even thrown a punch. “You’re constantly moving,” says Luschenat. “Just being able to punch a bag with some loud music and the room dark is the best experience.
Once we started the basics, I realized fast that boxing requires muscles I don’t usually use. “You get a good sweat with bags because you’re actually using all of your muscles,” Luschenat says. My shoulders, wrists, and even my knuckles were suddenly part of the conversation.
I had no idea how much proper form mattered — not just to look like I knew what I was doing, but to avoid feeling like I’d been hit by a truck the next day. Luschenat broke it down to three foundational moves: jabs, hooks, and uppercuts. Simple in theory… until your brain tries to remember which hand is doing what while your feet are supposed to stay in the right stance. And speaking of stance, that was a whole lesson in itself. Left foot behind (because I’m a righty), weight distributed so about 60% sits in the back leg, body coiled and ready.
And then there were the numbers — one through 10 — a whole language of punches I’d never heard before. Everything runs on this 1–10 code, whether it’s a jab, hook, uppercut, or even body-shot combinations. The combinations looked intimidating at first, but the numbering actually made them easier. In my head, the rule was simple: odd numbers meant the left fist, even numbers meant the right. Once that pattern clicked, it felt less like learning a sport and more like cracking a code.
I realized how empowering it felt to land a punch.
I didn’t expect my first boxing class to feel as empowering as it did. The moment I landed that first solid punch, I felt this jolt of confidence, like Oh, I can actually do this. It surprised me how quickly I reconnected with my body, especially since I’d gone in thinking it would just be another workout.
Almost immediately, my heart rate shot up, and instead of backing off, I found myself wanting to push through it. There was something addictive about the rhythm of hitting the bag, resetting my stance, and going again. By the end of class, I was drenched in sweat, my arms and legs felt like jelly, and I was already a little sore. But I was also completely exhilarated.
Boxing is as much mental as it is physical.
Before we even started, Luschenat laughed and said, “The worst part is actually showing up.” I didn’t realize how true that was until I was standing there, gloves on, wondering what I had gotten myself into.
Once the class started, though, everything shifted. What I loved most was how the workout challenged every part of me — not just my muscles, but my mind, too. I followed the number calls as best I could, but also let myself play around once I felt braver. Every quick glance around the room showed the full spectrum: seasoned fighters, total beginners, and everything in between. Somehow, that mix made me feel more confident. Luschenat sees this often. “Everyone is very intimidated by [boxing], but it is so fun,” she says. “My biggest advice is just try it because I know how scary it can look and feel. Once you’re here, you realize it’s not.”
I really appreciated the structure of the class — it kept me focused and kept my brain from drifting to the million things I usually think about. In fact, I didn’t think about school for a full hour, which felt like a small miracle. There was something meditative about syncing my punches to the calls, letting my body move without overthinking. It became less about being perfect and more about staying present.
By the end, something about it clicked. Maybe it was the rhythmic thud of gloves on the bag, maybe it was the full-body chaos of trying to look coordinated, or maybe it was the brief, shining moment when I actually felt like Rocky. Either way, that first class? A knockout.
I left exhausted in the best possible way — the kind that clears your head and makes you feel like you discovered a new part of yourself. And honestly, Luschenat was right. The hardest part really was just getting there. After that, it felt like stepping into a slightly braver version of me, one who might actually keep coming back to the ring.