Take Your Cardio Workout Up a Gear with Boxing Classes!

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When you look at different trends in fitness and exercise, you will notice that various special workout routines and instructor-led classes have been popular and trendy. Whether it’s aerobics, cross-fit, Tae Bo or even Zumba, there always seems to be something that is considered ‘the big thing’.

The funny thing about boxing classes is that while this form of exercise as always garnered a loyal audience, it has never really been the most talked about or most popular way of working out. Until recently, when there has been a sharp increase in interest in this type of workout. Perhaps you are still very much on the fence. Women often don’t see these kinds of classes of any benefit to them, unless they are boxers.

That’s why we’ve put together the following post though – we want to show you how you can improve your cardio workout and exercise routine in general by taking boxing classes.

Improved Cardiovascular Health

One part of the exercise that all experts in the medical health and exercise community bang on about is cardio. It is justified though because they are right – in order to protect your heart from serious conditions and diseases while maintaining a healthy weight and burning those calories, you need to take part in some form of cardio. However, many people hate cardio because they envision running/jogging on a treadmill for half an hour or something similar.

It doesn’t have to include the use of those machines or running and jogging until you are bored out of your brain. The main qualities that you are looking for from cardio workouts are that they put a lot of stress on your lungs and heart, to challenge them. Your heart rate needs to be raised, and that is something that boxing classes can help with.

Increased Overall Body Strength

It is not just a fast heart rate that is necessary for boxing classes. All the jumping, kicking and punching involved requires a considerable amount of strength. The majority of punching bags, particularly the professional grade ones, weigh as much as 100-pounds.

Consider the fact that you will probably kick or punch that bag hundreds of times during a workout, meaning that your core, lower body, and upper body muscles are all engaged to be precise and powerful contact with the punching bag. Boxing classes may involve other kinds of strength exercise too, so you can guarantee that this type of training is perfect if you are looking to build your strength.

Improved Hand to Eye Coordination

One thing boxers need to be able to do is think fast and have perfect hand-eye coordination. You may think that has no importance on your overall fitness level. However, it is crucial to ensuring your fine and gross motor skills are as good as they can be and it follows that if you have good hand-eye coordination, you have better reaction times and quicker reflexes. This, in turn, means you have good physical coordination in general. Something that is especially important as you get older, when balance and coordination start to be compromised.

Strength Relief

It is actually true that just about any kind of moderate to intense exercise or workout can help relieve stress. According to many experts, when you exercise, endorphins are increased, which boosts your mood and can act as a kind of meditation, helping you to sleep better and in turn decrease the amount of stress you have.

However, some of us need more than just a jog around the block to cope with the stresses of life.

Img source: elite-mma.com

Boxing is ideal for relieving stress because during a class or a routine you will normally switch between many high-intensity exercises and periods of moderate intensity recovery. While you are focusing your mind on punching through those moments of high-intensity kicking or punching, there is not a lot of mental power remaining to worry about the things bringing you down in life. Even during the recovery periods, you will be focusing on breathing and getting psyched up for the next round — no room to worry about relationships or jobs.

Another reason it is so perfect as a stress reliever is just how cathartic it can be to work out your issues on a punching bag. You can take all the annoyance and frustration out on the bag…often leaving the gym feeling a lot more relaxed.

There are plenty of places to buy suitable boxing accessories, but if you want to get started, click here for a pair of women’s boxing gloves.