7 REASONS TO START BOXING
I came to my first boxing training years ago simply hoping to get fit (and just because it somehow seemed less mundane than other gym activities). Today, it’s fair to say, the majority of my life revolves around the ‘sweet science’, whether it’s training, teaching or watching it and… I wouldn’t have it any other way. In my (very biased indeed) view, boxing is the single most amazing sport one could do. Here’s why:
1. Boxing is fun
If you’re one of those people who can’t bring themselves to the gym if their life depends on it, I hear you. I used to be you. All I can say is- give boxing a go. It is completely different from anything you’ve tried before. Most importantly though- it’s oh-so fun! There’s plenty of training options you can build around it- from heavy bag drills to shadow boxing to pad work, sparring and all the conditioning that goes with it, that you can try something new each time. You can make it an endurance workout, you can make it super technical- it’s simply never boring. The beauty of boxing is, since there’s so much to choose from, you are very likely to find something that’s your cup of tea; plus the variety of training makes it so much easier to stay consistently motivated which is the key to achieving goals. Win-win!
2. Boxing is a full body workout
Although it may initially seem that the only body part working during boxing training is your arms… well, that’s not quite the case. Of course, arms do a hell lot of work but actually, your legs is what generates the power so it shouldn’t be surprising to find out that they get at least just as tired. Your gluts beg for mercy during all all the drops and rolls (especially if you’re not used to squatting a lot), your core needs to get strong to keep everything in place, your back muscles get sore from all the twists and shoulder movement… I’m not going to lie, it’s tough! Especially at the beginning when your body is still adjusting to the movement. Boxing is probably more physically demanding than most other forms of cardio you’re familiar with (and that’s the beauty of it) so expect getting fit AF in no time!
3. Boxing will help you lose body fat
A little disclaimer before I’ll get eaten alive: if you’re on a fat loss journey I do hope you do your resistance training regularly as it’s your most efficient weapon to battle that bitch of unwanted adipose tissue. That said, for your cardio I can’t recommend boxing enough, simply to help you create that caloric deficit you’re after. I’m not going to give you any exact number (as it’s very specific for every individual and greatly influenced by your body weight, your metabolism, the intensity of your training and all that jazz) but if we’re looking at some rough estimation, during one hour in the ring human beings burn around 500 to 800kcal. Pretty decent, ey?
4. Boxing works wonders to one’s mental health
You’ve probably heard many times people saying boxing is life changing.. which is probably because in many cases it’s true. What boxing does to one’s mental health is quite extraordinary indeed, it’s an excellent emotional outlet and the strength and confidence the sport gives anyone involved is beyond imagination. That’s not to say if you’re suffering from a mental health condition boxing is the answer, not at all. Your health is your responsibility and seeking professional help is the only reasonable thing to suggest. However, I’d still encourage you to come to a boxing gym and let it change you in more than one way while all you do is show up and trust the process.
5. Boxing creates friendships
Some say boxing is a lonely sport, while what I see is a great community of people from all walks of life being there for each other. When you spend hours training together and the quality of your work is quite often influenced by your training partners, it’s only natural to form some sort of bond in time. And same goes for your coaches. When you’re constantly surrounded by people who look after you and genuinely want you to do well it’s an extremely stimulating environment and often also the beginning of a truly precious relationship that makes you grow together, learn and inspire one another.
6. Boxing is a great confidence booster
Like I mentioned before, boxing gives you so much mental strength, it’s almost like each punch is shouting back at you: ‘Yes, you can!’.
I came to my first training as someone socially awkward with literally no self-esteem. And boxing made me turn my insecurities into excitement and the drive to constantly improve. It’s probably the most empowering experience I’ve ever been a part of. I suppose if you put your heart and a lot of hard work into something and you see the outcome, you will start seeing yourself in a completely different light, like your best friend and your number one supporter, not your worst enemy. You will start pushing yourself forward instead of getting in your own way. You will realise that you deserve this and that you can, indeed, do whatever the hell you wish.
7. Boxing improves other areas of your life
If you’re serious about the sport you will soon realise how much patience, commitment and self-discipline is required to become even half-decent. And after a while it will all become your second nature. With all the hard work put into training you will think twice next time you want to get a Deliveroo. Perhaps you won’t drink tequila until 2 am either when you have a training session the following morning. You’ll start going to bed early too because after your evening class you’ll be too exhausted to do anything else. You’ll also learn to prioritise- with less time on your hands you’ll start using it more productively, for people and things that actually matter.
Perhaps you’ll start living much healthier life in a fun and sustainable way- it’s not to say you won’t ever drink alcohol or have a greasy takeaway once in a while, but all those things will be your conscious choices rather than side effects of boredom, low mood or loneliness. You will control your life instead of your circumstances controlling you. Don’t get me wrong, boxing is by no means the answer to all the world’s problems but it’s definitely likely to make you feel like for once you’ve got your shit together.
Alright you lot, that would be it from me for now- thanks for reading this far. If you have any questions, observations to share, any suggestions for future posts or if you simply want to say hi, you can find FLAG on Instagram where we post daily updates and lots of boxing, general fitness and nutrition related content. See you there!