Why Make Boxing Your Go-To Workout This Holiday Season
It’s easy for many of us to fall out of our exercise routines during the holiday season. Unfortunately, it is one of the worst times to skip a workout. No wonder so many of us end up stressed and feeling out of shape heading into the New Year.
Boxing is one of the best workouts any time of year. During the holidays, the benefits of boxing are even more profound because a boxing workout is effective for stress relief, plus it’s easy for beginners (and anyone) to get started.
What Are The Benefits of Boxing During The Holidays?
Boxing is great for body and mind. It gives you everything you need to get through and cope during the hectic holiday season. Most importantly, it is enjoyable, so you are less likely to skip your training. That’s one of the main reasons why boxing should be your go-to workout: it’s the workout you will actually want to do!
Here are six (6) of the top reasons boxing is the best workout for the holidays:
1. Complete full-body workout
Boxing combines cardio and strength training. You will elevate your heart rate while building muscle with every punch. If you want to really dive in like a pro, well-rounded boxing training also includes exercises like footwork drills and jump rope that also improve your balance and agility (Boxing Footwork Drills For Beginners). When the holidays hit, suddenly time seems to be a rare commodity–choosing a boxing workout allows you to get in an effective full-body workout quickly.
2. Great stress reliever
There is no question that the holidays can be the most stressful time of year. While exercise in general is recommended for stress relief, boxing cannot be beat in this arena. Taking out your frustration on a heavy bag is one of the best forms of self-therapy you can find (How To Use a Boxing Bag). Even without equipment, shadowboxing is an excellent way to let off some steam (Why You Should Start Shadowboxing).
3. It’s ridiculously fun
Boxing is one of the few workouts that is easy to stick with because it is so much fun. You will feel benefits physically and mentally after just one workout. With continued training, beginners will be able to see their progress as their body becomes more toned and their fighting skills become more advanced. Many boxers find it incredibly empowering and easy to stay motivated.
4. Builds confidence
Working towards a healthier you always makes you feel more confident. Boxing in particular is a wonderful confidence booster. The stress of the holidays can make a lot of people also feel down. As you advance your boxing skills and feel more power behind every punch, the sense of accomplishment does wonders for self-esteem.
5. Easy to do at home
Finding time to get to a gym during the holidays is unrealistic. This year, the pandemic has made going to a gym either impossible or at best, not worth the risk. You can start boxing training in your own home even without equipment, making it one of the safest options for getting in shape. This also makes it much easier to stick with your workout routine.
6. Anyone can start boxing
No matter your fitness level, you can start boxing this holiday season. Beginners shouldn’t feel intimidated by the complex combos of professional fighters. All their moves are based on fundamental boxing techniques that you can start learning today (At-Home Boxing Techniques For Beginners). The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be hitting like a pro.
How Do I Start Boxing At Home?
If you don’t have any home boxing equipment yet, you can still start boxing training right now (How To Learn Boxing At Home). When you’re ready, setting up a home gym is easy. For guidance and motivation, there are great training programs online that will hook you up with professional fighters. You can check out FightCamp’s workout pages for all level boxing and kickboxing workouts, and FightCamp’s YouTube channel for guided tutorials with FightCamp trainers.
The best gift you can give to yourself over the holiday season is self-care. Boxing can help tone your body, reduce stress, and improve your overall health–physically and mentally. It’s easy for boxing beginners to find the resources they need to get started even with no equipment. Boxing is one habit to pick up during the holiday season that you’ll want to keep up all year.
The Author: Tommy Duquette is the Co-Founder and Head of Content at FightCamp. He is a former US Boxing Team member with 136 fights under his belt and qualified for the 2012 Olympic trials as the #2 seed. He has 18 years of experience training clients in boxing and fitness.