With celebs like Gigi Hadid, Jennifer Lopez and Adriana Lima crediting their incredibly toned figures to it, there’s really no better time to kick-start your summer bod by jumping aboard the boxing craze.
Not only does the combat sport tackle each and every muscle group which helps to slim and tone as you throw punches, but boxing can also ease your stress levels, develop your coordination and improve your concentration.
The wonderful thing about boxing is that it’s a fully-focused sport. If your mind is anywhere else but the ring, you’re likely going to cop a swing.
And that’s why we love getting gloved up – because after a long day at work, it feels good to get moving and think of nothing else but your next move.
“But it’s winter!” You might protest. “But I don’t own boxing gloves!” Is another common excuse. You’re tired, you can’t be bothered to wash your hair, you’d rather watch Netflix, anything else?
Why not check out the five reasons why you should take up boxing, and notice those excuses suddenly become motivation.
Model Gigi Hadid swears by the combat sport.
1. Tighten your core
If you’re looking for an enjoyable way to finally get that six-pack, then it’s time to turn to the ring.
As you take swings, your hips need to rotate in order to pack the most power behind your punch.
Throughout the course of your workout, this non-stop movement will absolutely shred the core area, which in turn will provide you with a strong core and a flat tummy in no time.
2. Relieve stress
Maybe you had a fight with your roommate or your boss is driving you up the wall, whatever it is, boxing will help you to constructively relieve that tension so you can move on with your day feeling elated.
While it, of course, feels great to take a swing at a punching bag to cope with stress in the short term, the rush of endorphins that follow from physical activity will help to prolong that feeling of relief even after you’ve made it home just in time to watch Richie on The Bachelor.
Watch Gigi hit the ring in the video player below! Post continues…
3. Burn calories
As boxing is both an aerobic and anaerobic workout with high-intensity bursts followed by active recovery, you have the ability to burn up a whopping number of calories.
Compared to jogging which on average burns about 550 calories an hour, boxing can incinerate over 730 in the same amount of time.
Not bad if you ask us!
4. Keep your heart healthy
It’s one thing to turn to exercise to help us to look our best, but working out is also a key factor to our brain, bone and heart health.
“A good boxing workout makes you breathe heavily and increases the rate at which your heart pumps blood around your body,” says fitness guru John Kalu.
“Increased heart beat strengthens your heart’s muscles and lowers your chances of developing cardiovascular complications such as heart attacks and strokes.”
Jennifer Lopez has continued to box since filming Money Train in 1995.
5. Feel like a boss
As your power and endurance improves, you’ll feel strong. As your body slims and tones, you’ll feel more confident, and as your stress levels decrease, you’ll feel more relaxed.
There’s really no down side to picking up some boxing gloves and throwing some right hooks here and there.
Although you probably will have to wash your hair tomorrow.
