Flexibility, stamina, strength, balance, poise, confidence, discipline, artistry, and precision are words that perhaps come to mind when you look up the attributes of a skilled ballet dancer. Yet, as a boxing coach, these would also be words that I would use to describe an individual who partakes in the sport or training of boxing.
Attributes I would add along with these are self-control, a sound mind, and goal-oriented. Many associate boxing with getting punched in the face, but boxing training is so much more than hitting someone.
The health benefits of boxing can positively impact your life and those around you. As the local boxing coach here in Franklin, I had the pleasure of training under my late coach, Reggie Holland. I met Reggie at a much-needed time and at a crossroads in my life of athletic pursuits. As a man of very large stature, I had to make a decision about pursuing a healthier weight and lifestyle for myself.
At the time of finding boxing, or boxing finding me, I was in the neighborhood of about 340 pounds and coming off a career of competitive powerlifting. Although I had the accolades to go with the strength, there were things in life that I knew were missing and could have been improved upon. Mentally, physically, and spiritually I was struggling. While I can’t credit boxing for fixing all of these areas of my life and each one is a continued work in process, I will say that the pursuit of boxing sparked growth in each area.
Boxing training is vigorous and strenuous, but it focuses on the most important aspects of our overall health as human beings. Number one is cardiovascular health. In most cases, almost all athletes need good cardio to compete, but I would say that boxing training – even at the amateur level – can improve your cardio training 10-fold with exercises like sprints, distance running, jumping rope, bike riding, rowing, and, of course, punching. And not only punching, but learning how to block punches and work drills increases heart rate; these are all things that, over time, lead to better cardio health.
Proof positive
Recently, I had some blood work done and did a yearly physical in my pursuit to box again at age 37, and my EKG came back attesting that I was in fighting shape. Along with cardiovascular health, I have pursued better eating habits and my weight changed drastically. I went from 340 pounds to 270 pounds.
But not to focus solely on the physical; some of the greatest and healthiest benefits of boxing have been the mental aspects that come with it. When boxing, the ability to focus on a task has improved. I also feel way more confident in myself as an individual and my ability to persevere through challenges.
Boxing training is vigorous and strenuous, but it focuses on the most important aspects of our overall health as human beings.
Overall, I have developed better spatial awareness. One of the main ways boxing helps with all of these areas is the amount of repetition work that is done. Like all sports and training, it takes muscle memory to become proficient at many of the boxing drills. Over time, your concentration builds by practicing that drill for correction. As you perform the drills multiple times, it builds your confidence in knowing that you can and are capable of accomplishing something correctly.
Oftentimes, this is an area of life in which we struggle and it leads to negative self talk, which you and I both know is a killer of motivation and discipline. One of the best things that you can have is a coach who helps you build upon your boxing skills. A trainer helps you develop body awareness to handle simple skills such as footwork and side steps. A trainer also assists in building confidence when it comes to more difficult skills, like rolling, slipping, and returning counterpunches.
Boxing training can eventually translate over to tasks in life, starting small and then building to accomplish greater goals. This has been a tremendous help in pursuit of my entrepreneurial career as a coach, and the same teachings provide amazing benefits for all ages for those who pursue boxing training. Boxing offers the same crawl, walk, run principle that can be applied to almost any area of life.
All-round benefits for all ages
One of my students, Matt Nelson, 51, shared his thoughts about boxing training.
“Since starting boxing, I have lost 40 pounds and feel great. I appreciate the cardio and benefits and the mental toughness that comes from sparring and boxing practice.”
“After four months in the [boxing] program, along with dieting, my risk factors for health problems have dropped and I have lost 20 pounds,” said Dennis Stamey, 67. “I had hip replacement on both hips three years ago and the workouts have help me gain more strength and flexibility all around.”
Thomas Nicols, 26, added, “I have benefited with weight loss, better cardiovascular health, learning different problem-solving skills …”
Macon Sense contributing writer, Christopher Hedden, 23, has experienced a vast array of benefits from boxing. He does not just incorporate boxing in his workouts but has begun competing.
“Boxing has given me a community of people who truly care about me,” said Hedden. “Boxing has led me to have a deeper faith and trust in God because of the unpredictable nature of boxing. It has also kept me from old habits that were detrimental to my overall health. Boxing has reduced my anxiousness to the point where I no longer need anxiety medication.”
Boxing, aside from full contact punching, is – in my opinion – one of the best things you can do for your health. I can truly say that many of the lessons learned by adding boxing training to a physical workout translates over to life and, personally, directly impacts my spiritual walk.
The last thing I would like to leave you with is this simple yet awesome saying from Reggie: “If you don’t like the punches you are getting hit with, then move.”
Life will throw challenges at you. If it seems you are learning the same lesson over and over again, maybe it’s because you are doing the same things and expecting a different result. If you want change, you have to first change and then do something different. Move.