Punch Up Your Workout Routine
5 Health Benefits of Getting into Boxing
From a sport that we usually watch on TV, boxing slowly turned into a workout routine loved by most fitness buffs. Aside from helping you tone your muscles, the sport also aids in honing your mental strength – truly a great workout that stimulates both your body and mind. Other than these amazing benefits, here are other reasons why you should pick up a pair of gloves now and head to your gym.
- Improves Cardiovascular Health
One reason why you should consider boxing as a workout routine is the effect it has on your cardiovascular health. It’s a great workout that provides almost the same benefits as running – burns calories, promotes weight loss and prevents heart diseases. In fact, the warm-up routine performed before the actual boxing session is already enough to get your heart pumping and enhance your cardiovascular health.
- Relieves Stress
Although a highly awaited boxing match may seem stressful, training for boxing by punching a heavy sandbag, performing pad work and hitting a speed ball provides a good outlet for your stress nerves. Performing intense workout routines like boxing triggers the release of a feel-good hormone known as endorphin, which will leave you feeling confident and happy after working out.
- Increases Bone Density
Normally, bone mass peaks when you’re in your mid- to late-30s but gradually declines as you get past that age range. Fortunately, performing weight-bearing exercises like boxing aids in reducing bone loss and increasing the bone mass – thus preventing serious medical conditions like osteoporosis, where bones get fractured quite easily.
- Promotes Better Weight Management
Similar with running, boxing is also an activity that burns a lot of calories. Its calorie-burning effect aids in preventing calorific surplus and in losing or maintaining your weight. For instance, a 135-pound person performing a 30-minute punching session on a sandbag burns around 175 calories, and the same person still gets to burn 260 calories on the sparring session itself. By combining it with a calorie-controlled diet, this sport will definitely help in maintaining your ideal weight.
- Develops Your Hand and Eye Coordination
Another amazing benefit of getting into boxing is it greatly improves your hand and eye coordination. The exercise improves your body coordination quickly as you’re constantly focused on hitting the target. While boxing, you need to consider your footwork and be prepared for whatever your opponent does. You also need to perform a combination of attacks, while reacting to your opponent’s attacks. It is through these routines that your motor skills are tested and you see the greatest development in your hand and eye coordination.
Other than these benefits, boxing also allows you to embrace new activities, express yourself and have fun while toning your muscles up. So don’t be afraid to pick a pair of gloves now and start punching your way to a healthier and happier you.