6 Health Benefits of Boxing You Should Tell Your Friends

Boxing isn’t just about guts and glory, there are major health benefits to the sport. However, it’s even more fun to share this experience with a friend.

If you’re trying to convince a friend to get into this sport with you, tell them these six ways that boxing can transform their body and overall health.

#1: Build Strength

“If I lift any weights, I do it more for explosion, but I really use my body weight to build up muscle from strength.” ~Canelo Alvarez

If there’s anything we can learn from boxing world champion Canelo Alvarez, and from the sport of boxing in general, it’s that you don’t need to lift giant dumbbells to build strength. When paired with a healthy diet and collagen protein supplements, fitness boxing can build muscle while keeping the rest of your body healthy as well.

There is a lot of rapid arm movement involved in the sport, and your arms are always raised and engaged. This tones the muscles of your arms and shoulders.

When you’re staying low in a boxer crouch with your knees bent, you’re strengthening your core, back, and especially your legs. This is what makes boxing a full-body strength workout unlike any other. 

#2: Improve Your Balance

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” ~Muhammad Ali

The great Muhammad Ali is known for being one of the quickest boxers in history. Incorporating boxing into your fitness regimen will not only improve your agility but your balance as well.

In boxing, you are constantly shifting your weight from one foot to another, keeping your movements nimble and fluid. Improved balance is especially beneficial as you get older. You’ll be less at risk for falls. 

#3: Better Heart Health

“Rhythm is everything in boxing. Every move you make starts with your heart, and that’s in rhythm or you’re in trouble.” ~Sugar Ray Robinson

Boxing is a great form of aerobic exercise, a necessary component of long-term heart health. This type of exercise doesn’t just burn calories, it also reduces your risk of a stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. 

#4: Improve Your Brain Functioning

“He can have heart, he can hit harder and he can be stronger, but there is no fighter stronger than me.” ~Floyd Mayweather Jr. 

Hitting a target such as a punching bag or an opponent with your hands improves hand-eye coordination. It can also make you more attentive and alert. You use your hand-eye coordination whenever you write with a pencil or catch a ball. 

#5: Increased Endurance

“A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t.” ~Jack Dempsey

Boxing is a high-intensity activity. The more you do it, the more intense physical activity your body can endure. This means that everyday activities such as climbing stairs and walking uphill will become easier for you. You’ll find that you don’t get out of breath as easily as your peers!

#6: Improve Your Mood

“Don’t count the days, make the days count.” ~Muhammad Ali

Aerobic exercise improves your mood due to chemicals called endorphins which are released in the brain during your workout. Part of the mood boost comes from increased energy and self-esteem. This is especially true for boxing. 

In many ways, boxing is a mental sport. You learn more about yourself when you box. You find yourself strategizing and almost choreographing your fighting sequences. Whether you’re actually fighting or just doing a boxing fitness class, you’ll find that your self-confidence increases over time. You’ll feel ready to meet any challenge. 

Final Thoughts

Your friend might not think they can step up and fight, but share these quotes and health benefits with them to change their minds. All it takes to benefit from this sport is some ring-side support and the courage to put on the gloves. Once they try, they can expect a boost in endurance, mood, and strength, to name a few.