You don’t have to be a fighter to reap the benefits of a boxing workout.  Whether you’re a well-conditioned athlete or a casual gym-goer looking to get or stay in shape, boxing is a fantastic way to bring your fitness to the next level.  In addition to being one of the best cardiovascular workouts there is, boxing also helps improve coordination, reflexes, reaction time, footwork, mobility, and muscle strength.

A common mistake newcomers make is focusing solely on how hard they can punch.  While punching power is important, some key areas you’ll want to focus on are your breathing, your punching form, and your footwork.

Breathing
While it may seem obvious, breathing is incredibly important to the success of your boxing workout.  Specifically, you’ll want to inhale through your nose, and then as you throw a punch, exhale simultaneously through your mouth.  This will help you build a rhythm and minimize fatigue.  This is important, as arguably your biggest opponent during a boxing workout is fatigue.

Keep Your Body Loose
Since boxing is an extremely taxing cardiovascular workout, you’ll want to do everything in your power to maintain your stamina.  It’s very common for beginners and even experienced boxers to tense up during a workout.  Quite simply, when your body is tense, you tire faster, so make sure to stretch and keep those muscles loose!

Learn Proper Form
Like any exercise, it’s important to sweat the technique.  Learning and utilizing proper form will help you fully engage several major muscle groups (core, arms, shoulders, back, and legs), boost your stamina, and prevent injury.  Attending classes or private lessons at a local gym is a great way to ensure you start off on the right foot.

Jumping into the ring can be intimidating, and even dangerous if you’re still learning proper form. Make sure to practice on punching bags or a home fitness piece designed for boxing like the Nexersys Pro.

Fast Feet
Lastly, footwork is arguably the most important element of boxing. Your footwork dictates your balance, and your balance directly affects both your punch accuracy and power.  If you decide you want to fight, your footwork will also allow you to land punches and get out of the way to avoid taking any damage in return.

No matter your fitness goals, boxing is a great way to enhance your strength and conditioning.  It’s easily accessible for beginners, and offers a great challenge for those who seek to delve further into the sport, so if you’re looking for a new way to take your fitness to the next level, lace up those gloves and give boxing a try!