Why Boxing Is Great For Fitness | From An Amateur Boxer

As an amateur boxer, and as an athlete in general, I get asked a lot about what type of fitness routines to follow to get in shape fast and what workouts are the best and most effective. Now obviously, I may be a bit biased, but my first answer is always boxing.

In this article, I’ll share my thoughts on why boxing is such an amazing way to get in shape, and more importantly, stay in shape, and why I think anybody looking to take the first steps in their fitness journey should consider boxing as a workout.

Boxing Focuses on Full Body Movements

Boxing is a full-body sport and workout. What that means is that most of the motions you make involve your entire body. For example, let’s look at a simple straight punch - a Jab: The movement actually starts all the way down at your toes. First, you have to activate the muscles in both of your calves, your thighs, and your hips. Then, you have to use your core to get the turn on your body. Finally, you use the muscles in your entire arm, from your shoulder to your wrist to snap the punch out and retract it back.

Because of this, just punching a heavy bag gets your whole body moving and all of your muscles engaged. It’s no wonder working out on a punching bag is a staple for boxers in training and can be a calorie-torching workout!

Boxing Uses Interval-Based Training

Boxing is a sport fought in short, with high-intensity rounds. Boxing workout routines reflect this same structure. Most boxing drills are performed in small bursts of high-intensity movement followed by short rest periods in between. This interval-based training workout structure is ideal for people starting their fitness journey for multiple reasons:

• Intervals allow people of all levels to maintain higher levels of intensity
• It is generally safer for beginners as it allows more frequent breaks for water and breathing exercises
• It doesn’t encourage ‘zoning out’ as much as constant pace training can--the change of intensity between the work and break periods requires the brain to stay engaged and alert

Boxing Improves Balance

One of the lesser known benefits of boxing, and combat sports in general, is that the more adept you become at punching, the better your balance and general coordination in everyday life become. Improved balance and coordination have a variety of health benefits, the most noticeable being that they naturally improve your posture. Boxing workouts require you to stay loose and flexible, especially in your upper back, in order to adjust the distribution of weight in your upper body when punching.

Boxing Builds Confidence

Boxing is, in my opinion, the very best way to build confidence and get in amazing shape at the same time. Nothing boosts confidence like learning a skill, and boxing is a skill set that transfers to everyday life easier than one might expect. The FightCamp App not only offers boxing workouts but expert-led tutorials that help develop boxing technique. Balance, hand-eye coordination, and strength of will are all developed when learning the basics of boxing, and it has the added benefit of improving overall health at the same time.

Boxing workouts are tough and demanding, and it’s often mistaken as a solo sport. But the truth is, in all my time as a competitive athlete, I’ve never been alone. My gym mates and my coach have always been there to push me.

Whether you’re taking your first steps in your fitness journey or if you’re an advanced athlete looking for a new challenge, boxing with FightCamp is a fantastic way to add to your workout routine. It’s the sweet science for a reason: It’s rewarding, a fantastic workout, and the coaches and community have all the tools to push you to your next level!

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The Author: Iain Mackenzie grew up in the middle of downtown Houston and has always been a competitor. He first turned to karate as a young child, where he got his first taste of live sparring and the thrill and discipline of combat sports. From there he went on to saber fencing, where he competed in tournaments all throughout middle school. However, it was not until he had nearly graduated high school that he found the sport that truly spoke to him: Boxing. Training all throughout college and into his professional career, Iain has trained in multiple gyms across Texas and competed in amateur tournaments with storied histories like Golden Gloves and the Houston Open. His goal is to bring people the sense of belonging and self-actualization boxing has always given to him by explaining the tools he uses as a competing boxer to stay in shape, stay sharp, and stay motivated. As a licensed amateur boxer, Iain has the know how and drive necessary to do just that.