A boxing ring may be the most intimidating piece of equipment in the gym, especially if you’ve never used one before. However, if you’re looking to step up your fitness game, that doesn’t mean you should shy away from the ring or the workouts it presents; in fact, it means just the opposite! Here are five reasons you need to get in the ring with those weights and start boxing today.
Improve Strength
Cardio might be important for weight loss, but working out with weights is just as important. Not only does lifting weights make you stronger and build lean muscle, but it also increases your metabolism, which helps you burn more calories all day long. If you’re not already familiar with weightlifting and strength training routines, I suggest joining a gym where you can work with an experienced professional personal trainer.
Tone Muscles
Let’s be real: hitting something hard is incredibly satisfying. If you’re feeling overly frustrated with your day, grab some gloves and let out some of that aggression in a boxing ring. There are many reasons why people want to start boxing for fitness; one of those is to tone muscles. Hitting bags will strengthen your forearms, shoulders, chest, back and abs—fast! Not only will these workouts relieve stress but they’ll help increase energy and muscle mass at the same time.
Lose Weight
People are drawn to boxing for many reasons, and weight loss is one of them. Boxers lose an average of 10% of their body weight as they train; boxers also burn more calories per session than people who work out at a gym. An hour in the ring can burn almost 400 calories—more than an hour on an elliptical or stationary bike. Sparring (shadowboxing) only adds to that calorie burn, making it an ideal choice for people looking to lose some pounds.
Burn Calories
Perhaps one of boxing’s greatest benefits is that it burns calories like no other sport. As you punch and kick, your heart rate will be elevated for hours after your training session, which burns extra calories. Burning calories is key to losing weight—and keeping those pounds off! With boxing, you’ll burn more calories and keep them off longer than with most other sports.
Be Engaged With Your Workouts
Believe it or not, one of boxing’s many benefits is its ability to hold your attention—it’s one of those workouts that forces you to be engaged and focused. It doesn’t require any external distractions; there are no weights or machines, just you, a bag, and maybe some hand wraps (if you want to get fancy). There is nothing else going on other than you beating up that bag. That focus keeps your workouts engaging and helps keep you interested in performing them every time.