Boxing for Exercise
Looking for a thumping good way to get a full body workout, have fun and learn a thing or two as well?
Then boxing just might be the sport for you and there are so many ways to enjoy boxing too.
Some obviously go into boxing to compete, be it at amateur or professional level, some just use the training methods involved with boxing as they are extremely intense and make for one of the best conditioning workouts around, while others simply want to stay fit and have some fun in Boxercise classes.
Amateur Boxing
Amateur boxing is one of the most popular events at major events like the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. Fights are won and lost purely on a point scoring system which relates to the number of clean blows landed on an opponent. Boxers compete in weight divisions relating to their body weight and size, in bouts of just three, three minute rounds.
It is compulsory for amateur boxers to wear protective headgear and gloves with a referee overseeing the fight to ensure that competitors use only legal blows. Although this type of boxing is done at the highest level, such as the Olympic Games, there are local Amateur Boxing Clubs up and down the country where you can get started.
Professional Boxing
Fought across 17 major weight classes, professional boxing isn’t too dissimilar from amateur boxing with the exception that professional bouts are much longer than amateur bouts, ranging from ten to twelve rounds.
Headgear is not permitted either, and boxers are allowed to take, or give, much more punishment before a fight is stopped. However, the fight may be stopped at any time if the referee believes that a contestant cannot defend their self due to injury or if a fighter lands a punch that opens a cut. In these instances the opponent is awarded a technical knockout win.
A pro boxer will have less competitive fights than an amateur fighter as there is much more at stake but in general they will train harder in-between fights.
Boxercise
Like the idea of boxing but don’t really fancy being hit in the face and stomach repeatedly?
Boxercise offers the same health benefits and fun as boxing without ever having to step into the ring!
Boxercise is an instructor led exercise class based on the training principles used by boxers to keep fit. A typical boxercise class will involve punching pads, kicking punch bags, shadow boxing, press-ups, shuttle-runs, sit-ups and skipping. Classes will usually last between 60 and 90 minutes and are ideal for men and women of all ages and fitness levels.
As boxercise combines the use of both the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems it ensures a diverse full body workout that will not only tone and burn fat but also improve hand-eye co-ordination, balance, timing, agility and concentration.
Getting started with Boxercise
Classes with qualified instructors are available for beginners and experts at gyms, health clubs, leisure centres and dance studios nationwide.
Equipment such as gloves, pads and punch bags are usually provided but you will need some supportive trainers, shorts or leggings and a breathable top.
If you want to train at home or on your own, most of the equipment used can be purchased in sports shops or online, although it can be expensive.
There’s no need to “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” – just have some fun!