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Boxing is a great way to get fit and stay in shape. It’s also an excellent workout that can help you burn fat, build muscle mass, improve your cardiovascular health, increase stamina, boost self-confidence, and even reduce stress levels! Even if you’re not going to participate in big events such as Pbboxing, here are some benefits of boxing for fitness.
1) It’s an excellent cardio workout
The best part about boxing is the cardio aspect. You will be working out with every punch, kick, or combination of punches/kicks. This means that you will have to work harder than if you were just running on a treadmill at the same speed as when you participate in boxing. If you want to lose weight, then this type of exercise is perfect because it burns more calories per minute than any other form of aerobic activity.
2) Boxing encourages strength training
When you start boxing, you may not realize how much strength training there really is involved. Every time you throw a jab, cross, hook, uppercut, etc., you are building up muscles throughout your body. As you continue to train, these muscles become stronger and bigger. In addition, by punching heavy bags, you are strengthening your core. These types of exercises make sure that you don’t develop bad habits like slouching over your desk all day long.
3) Boxing promotes flexibility & balance
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By throwing combinations of punches and kicks, you are improving your balance and flexibility. Your brain has to constantly adjust itself so that it doesn’t fall off its axis while you are fighting. Because of this constant adjustment, you end up getting better at balancing yourself. Also, since you are always moving around, you are developing good coordination skills which helps you maintain proper posture.
4) These exercises offer many mental health benefits
One thing that I love most about boxing is that it gives me something positive to focus my mind on during stressful times. Whether it’s dealing with difficult people at school, having trouble making friends, being bullied, or simply feeling down after a breakup, boxing provides me with a distraction from whatever negative thoughts I am thinking. Instead of focusing on what I cannot control, I can instead concentrate on controlling myself through my movements.
5) Boxing offers self confidence boost
Since you are learning new moves each week, you feel accomplished whenever you successfully execute one. Even though you might mess up once in a while, you still feel proud knowing that you did well enough to learn something new. Plus, you know that no matter what happens, you won’t give up until you succeed. That makes you feel confident and strong inside.
6) Boxing may aid in weight loss
Although many people think that they need to go to the gym to lose weight, boxing actually works very well for losing weight too. For starters, you are burning tons of calories doing this sport. Secondly, you are forced to eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, fish, eggs, dairy products, and low sugar drinks. Lastly, you are exercising regularly which keeps your metabolism high. All of these things combined mean that you are going to shed pounds faster than ever before.
7) Promotes better sleep quality
Another benefit of boxing is that it improves sleep quality. It takes a lot of energy to fight someone else, especially if you are sparring. Therefore, your body needs some rest afterwards. However, if you spend hours sitting behind a computer screen, your body does not get adequate amounts of sleep. So, even though you may only be able to get 4-8 hours of sleep, you should try to do your best to get those 8 hours.
8) Increased focus
A great way to improve concentration is to practice mindfulness meditation. This type of exercise involves concentrating solely on breathing without any other distractions. You will find that when you meditate, you have more clarity of thought because you aren’t distracted by anything outside of yourself. If you want to increase your ability to focus, then practicing mindfulness meditation every morning could help.
9) Improved memory skills
Learning new information is easier when you use your memory. When you participate in boxing, you are using your memory all day long. As soon as you start punching and kicking, you are memorizing how to move your arms and legs correctly. Then, you must remember where your opponent is located throughout the round. Finally, you also have to keep track of your own position within the ring. These types of exercises require you to pay attention to details and make sure that you don’t forget them.
10) Improves your coordination
Boxing requires precise timing and coordination between both hands and feet. In order to perform certain punches effectively, you must first master footwork. Footwork consists of moving around the ring while keeping an eye out for openings. Once you see an opening, you must quickly change directions so that you land safely. The same goes for hand movement. To punch properly, you must coordinate your arm swing with your leg kick.
11) Builds strength & endurance
When you work out at home or in the gym, you can easily control the intensity level of your workout. But, when you step into the ring, there isn’t much room for error. Because of this, you have to push harder and longer during training sessions. This means that you build strength and endurance over time.
Wrap up
If you suffer from stress, then boxing is definitely the right choice for you. There are several reasons why boxing helps relieve stress. First off, you are constantly working hard to win each match. Second, you are always focused on what’s happening inside the ring instead of focusing on everything else going on in life. Thirdly, you learn about discipline and perseverance through fighting. Fourth, you develop self-confidence and pride after winning fights. Fifth, you become stronger mentally and physically. Sixth, you gain knowledge about different styles of martial arts.
