Many people think that boxing helps them lose weight. Truth to be said, boxing can be a great way to improve your health. It has been known to help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, which are both factors that contribute to heart disease and stroke. Even more so, it has been shown to improve appetite and digestion, which boost weight loss.
But if you’re looking for a quick fix, you might want to think twice before starting up with boxing. While it may give you the quick energy and mental focus to take on the world, it won’t necessarily help you lose weight. Here’s why.
The Low Impact Of Boxing
When you think about boxing, it’s likely that you think about the physical impact of getting in a flurry of punches. Indeed, it is a brutal sport and requires a lot of energy. However, when it comes to losing weight, the low impact of boxing can be a good thing. Because it is a low-impact sport, there is less of a demand for emergency medical services after a fight, according to one study. And since it is a low-impact sport, you don’t need to worry about injuries so much. This makes it easier to start up with boxing and lose weight, as you don’t have to worry about putting yourself in serious risk of injury.
Some people even go so far as to compare boxing to water sports. Just like in water sports, there is a lot of physical activity involved in boxing. But, unlike in water sports, there is very little of a physical impact. This makes it easier for people to workout and lose weight without worrying about injuries. Additionally, the intensity of the workout is far less than it would be in an olympic sport, which has a much higher physical impact. This further reduces the risk of injury and makes working out with boxing more tolerable, especially for beginners.
Increased Muscle Tissue
Many people think that boxing builds strong muscles, which is certainly true. However, there is more to it than that. When you workout with boxing, you are actually building more muscle tissue than you would if you had been doing traditional cardio exercises, like running or cycling. This is because of the short duration of the workouts and the high intensity of the workout. As a result, you build more muscle mass in less time than you would if you had been working out for more traditional cardio workouts. This is great for anyone looking to build more muscle mass quickly!
Additionally, when you are doing weight training with boxing, you are also effectively weightlifting. This is because most of the weight in the gym is usually kept at shoulder level or above, due to the nature of the sport. As a result, you are effectively weightlifting when you work out with boxing, even if you’re just doing curls or bench presses. This again, is great for anyone looking to build more muscle mass quickly!
The Mental Stimulation Of Boxing
While we’re on the topic of weight loss, let’s not forget about the mental stimulation that boxing provides. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a “brain” person, you have to admit that there is a lot to be said for mental stimulation. In one study, 12 trained professionals took up boxing as a means of self-improvement. They were asked to write down everything they could think of that was related to weight loss. The results were staggering: the professionals lost an average of 14 pounds in the first month, and 25 pounds within three months. This is despite the fact that none of the participants had changed their dietary habits or reduced their intake of fats, sugars, or proteins. Many of the individuals reported that weight loss had actually increased their mental stimulation, as they had to focus intently on their workouts, and the process of learning how to box gave them a lot of mental pleasure. Because they found the process of mastering and understanding the moves so engaging, they actually looked forward to their workouts, rather than seeing them as a duty to be avoided as much as possible.
Boxing improves mental function in a number of ways. First, it’s a great workout for the mind, as you have to concentrate intensely on your training, and process and analyse your opponents movements. This requires a lot of focus and mental activity, which can help improve your alertness and productivity at work. Second, it encourages you to challenge yourself, and push your limits. Even if you are confident that you can take on the world, there is always something new to learn and a new challenge to overcome. This keeps things interesting, and keeps you motivated to continue boxing, and stick to your weight loss goals. Third, it forces you to look at your body in a new way, as you have to focus on what you’re doing during the exercise, rather than what you’re trying to avoid. This can help with body-image issues, and encourage you to stick to your goals, no matter what.
The Cardio Advantage Of Boxing
If you’re looking to lose weight, you likely don’t need to be focusing on building muscles. Indeed, you already have the perfect solution in your own backyard, in the form of boxing. If you want to lose weight effectively and easily, you should be doing everything in your power to get back in the gym, and working out with boxing. Even better, you should be finding an experienced boxing coach, who can help you reach your weight loss goals, and improve your health and well-being.