Boxing has gained a great deal of popularity as a workout in the past few years. It’s no surprise because if you take a look at most boxing practitioners, they are all toned and athletic looking. But boxing is one of the most strenuous and taxing forms of exercise. If you want to get the most out of your boxing classes, you will need a plan. Here are 5 tips for getting the best out of your boxing classes.
- Take your nutrition seriously
If you want to do well in your boxing workouts, it always pays to take your nutrition as seriously as possible. Remember that your cardio and overall muscle growth has a direct correlation to your nutrition.
Aside from muscle growth, boxing requires a great deal of stamina. In order to fuel your body, you will need to eat carbs. But this can be tricky because most carbs have a great deal of glucose in them, which is easily converted by the body into fat. Don’t worry though, there are carb alternatives that you can still use. One alternative is substituting complex carbs such as bread with oats, Oats are high in fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. Oats also have more protein than most grains. Which makes it a great way to get much-needed energy and still stay lean.
One of the best ways to prepare oats is to make overnight oats. It is the simple process of storing oats with your choice of dairy, fruits, nuts, and other ingredients, and leaving it overnight to chill. It is best to use a custom glass container because you need storage that ensures no spillage when you store it in your gym bag. One of the best examples of custom glass containers is Roetell glass packaging.
It is also important that your protein intake is sufficient because boxing puts great strain on the body, and you will need protein to build and repair muscle tissues that have been damaged during the workouts. Fruits and vegetables are also an integral part of your nutrition because they provide a multitude of vitamins and minerals that help strengthen your immune system.
2. Take care of your gear
When you first take up boxing, your first thought would most likely be that you only need gloves and you can get started right away. But in truth boxing requires a lot of equipment. There’s the hand wraps, mouthguard, headgear, and boxing boots. If you want to improve your boxing, you will need to take care of your boxing gear. Make sure that your hand wraps are rolled neatly before and after you use them. This will make it easier to wrap around your hands. It is also important that you wash them after each workout to prevent bacteria from developing.
As for your mouthguard, it is important that it fits your gums perfectly. A badly fitted mouthguard can damage your gums. Make sure that your boxing boots have the proper support and traction. Remember that proper punching is all about foundation. If your boots lack traction, you will do more slipping than punching.
3.Work on your cardio
Boxing is all about cardio. Try punching with proper form for 5 minutes straight. You’ll be surprised at how exhausted you get. This is why you should take your cardio very seriously. Make it a habit to jog for at least 30 minutes to an hour. You could also try cycle classes or mountain climbing. By doing these exercises you will enhance your cardiovascular endurance and fight with proper technique despite exhaustion.
4.Hone your technique
One of the most surprising things about throwing a punch is that you can injure yourself easily if you don’t know the proper boxing technique. The same goes for blocking or dodging punches. It may look easy, but once you’re in the ring and sparring a real opponent, you’ll see that it can be both exhilarating and terrifying. It takes a lot of training to block, bob, weave, and then countering an opponent who wants to hit you.
Luckily there are a lot of ways to hone your technique. One training method is shadowboxing. This is technically a method used by boxers to practice their technique and timing. When you shadow box, choose a wide-open space where you can move freely. Get into your boxing stance, and then start moving. Envision an opponent in front of you. Imagine that this opponent is advancing towards you. Imagine that he is punching you with an assortment of punches. That he is dodging your punches. Try to move, slip, block, punch, and counter. Technically shadow boxing is like a dance where you practice your moves.
Boxing also employs a variety of punching bags. There are double-ended bags, water bags, and heavy bags just to name a few. Try to use these bags in every training session. It may hurt at first when you punch a heavy bag. This is why the proper technique is necessary.
5. Listen to your coach
You are fortunate if you have access to a professional boxing coach in your classes. They have a lifetime’s worth of boxing wisdom. Not to mention they are all very good with mitt work, and can really hone your technique. So make an effort in every class, and listen to his or her advice. This is especially true during sparring because their advice could mean the difference between you winning or getting hurt.
Conclusion
Boxing is a deadly and elegant sport. You hone your body to a razor-sharp edge, and your reflexes and cardiovascular endurance will be tested. So treat it with the respect it deserves.
