Boxing was once the preserve of the working classes. Blue collar prospects would flock to run down boxing gyms and put in hour after hour in the gym, doing their workouts, hitting the bags, sparring, all for a chance to fight and make a living. These days, boxing is an increasingly popular past time amongst men and women from all walks of life.
Boxing
Boxing, also known as the sweet science or the noble art, is more than just a fighting sport. Boxers are some of the best conditioned athletes on the planet, able to fight for their lives for as much as twelve rounds of three minutes. If you are not looking to be a world champion, or even to fight, boxing still offers a more entertaining and varied workout than simply running on treadmills and lifting weights, while hitting pads and bags is great for relieving stress.
White Collar Boxing
Previously, boxing training was only really available at traditional boxing gyms. These could be tough, intimidating places, where fighters and trainers ruled the roost and newcomers received short shrift. More boxing coaches now teach classes in ordinary fitness gyms. These classes tend to be more accessible, taking place in a less intimidating environment but still providing the hard training that traditional boxing gyms employ. Some gyms are dedicated to these kind of boxing classes, while other trainers run their classes out of mainstream gyms.
Boxercise
Along with boxing classes, there has been a rise in boxercise classes. You should not confuse the two. Boxercise classes are essentially aerobics style classes that feature movements influenced by boxing. There is no contact in these classes, nor are you likely to actually hit a bag or a pad. Actually boxing training involves physical preparation, such as calisthenics and jump rope, while also including technical work such as hitting pads held by a partner, or punch bags, or drilling with a partner.
Considerations
While boxing classes are less intimidating than entering an old school boxing gym, they still offer an intense physical workout. While you may not choose to spar, there is still a lot of physical contact so you should always consult with your doctor if you are unsure of your ability to engage in tough physical exertion. If you are unsure about your ability to enter a class, you can also book individual sessions with a personal trainer or boxing coach.
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