When you mention boxing, the majority of people picture two strong athletes in a ring, adrenaline pumped and attempting to defeat each other with their fists. Boxing for fitness is something completely different where entire classes of people can achieve a great workout from a non-contact version of the sport. Boxing as a way to stay fit is becoming increasingly popular and rightfully so considering the benefits. Boxing increases strength, coordination, endurance, speed, and agility. You will learn the proper way to control your feet and the basic boxing stance. You will learn the basic punches like the jab, the hook, and the uppercut and how to effectively combine them all. Boxing is not necessarily for self-defence, but you will learn how to throw a punch. And it will build your self-confidence knowing that if anything was to go awry you should be able to take care of yourself.

So you may wonder how I got started in boxing. I was already going to the gym three or four times every week, but I was only working on weight training. I did absolutely no cardio and despite being stronger and more muscular I was still soft around the middle. I dreaded the thought of running so there was no way I was going to get on a treadmill. I considered going with my girlfriend to one of her group fitness classes but I was a little hesitant because there were never many guys attending. After a conversation with my boss one day at lunch he suggested I come along to a boxing session. He is in his 40s and in outstanding physical shape. He is totally ripped, six pack abs and all, so when someone in that kind of physical shape talks, I listen. He offered to let me borrow a pair of boxing gloves, and told me all I needed to bring was a towel and a bottle of water.

I felt a bit challenged because I had never tried to box before. The man who would soon become my sparring partner informed me boxing is something anyone can do. So off I went to the gym to give boxing a try. First we went through a 15 minute warm up session, then 30 minutes of sparring, and then a 15 minute cool down. I experienced a whole new world of pain! Not because someone smacked me in the face (it is non-contact after all). My muscles burned, like nothing I had ever experienced before. Muscles I did not even know I was using were hurting. My legs, my shoulders, my core; everything burned like fire. I thought that would be the end of my boxing activity, but I gave myself a couple days to recover and then I went back to the ring to give it another go.

Knowing the moves gave me a better work out, and I was more prepared mentally this time. I continued going to the gym every week. I noticed my body trimming up and my middle section spare tire was getting much less noticeable. Because boxing is a high repetition workout, you will see more body toning than muscle building. Combine that with a healthy diet and you can really see some results quite quickly.

If I’ve learnt anything from the experience it is not to be scared to try something new. No matter what your skill or fitness level is, boxing is good for you because it can be modified to increase or decrease complexity and intensity of the workout. There is simply no valid reason for not giving boxing a try. Not only is boxing a great way to workout, it gives you the opportunity to destress and vent your frustrations on the boxing pads. Boxing is a high intensity program of exercise. It targets numerous large muscle groups, which assures you a program for toning and building strength while you also become more in shape and better fit. The gym is a great place to hang out with a mate and get a little competitive if you wish, but try and keep it above the belt.

We have all been in a rut, locked in a pattern of circumstances that we cannot seem to get out of. Rarely do those circumstances change by themselves, it’s more likely that we will need to take action to ensure that we don’t become stuck in a rut.

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