Best Workout Ever: Memorial, Texas Boxing Gym

It doesn’t matter if you are completely new to working out or the strongest bodybuilder on the block, boxing is an incredible way to exercise, constantly challenging you to be the best version of yourself! One of the oldest and most efficient combat sports in history, boxing utilizes the whole body incorporating footwork, punches and core strength as well as head movement for defensive and offensive purposes. 

Boxing is truly an amazing full body workout boasting with benefits, but even though it is one of the oldest sports in the book, it has only recently grown in popularity. For many years, boxing has always been looked upon as a sport built only for the strongest of men however, times have changed! 

The notion that boxing focuses on aggression and is a men’s sport is slowly being broken down, fading away with any stereotypically thoughts associated with it. We live in such an exciting time today where there is a huge focus on nutrition and exercise. With consumers always reaching for the ‘next best thing’ to get in shape, it didn’t take long until people started to notice how incredibly fit boxers are! Featuring rock hard abs, strong arms and powerful legs, the Memorial Texas boxing gyms began to take over the fitness industry!

Your First Class

You’ve made a step in the right decision to take care of your wellbeing by signing up for a boxing class- very exciting! You might be feeling a little nervous as walking into any workout that you are not familiar with can be a little intimidating. Whether it's your first boxing, sparring, personal training or self-defense class and you find yourself feeling anxious, keep in mind that everyone had a ‘first day’ at some point just like you! Here is what to expect from your first boxing class.

Hand wraps and gloves

It wouldn’t be boxing without the gloves! At most studios, you will need to purchase hand wraps and gloves to protect yourself when you start throwing punches. Many times, you can rent these items, but it is always recommended to purchase your own since they tend to get sweaty. Hand wraps are fairly inexpensive, but gloves can sometimes be a little pricey. If you are new to boxing, it is a good idea to rent the gloves for your first couple of classes just to make sure you truly enjoy the workout and plan to come back- we know you will!

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First class walk-through

It is really important to get to your first boxing class early to meet the instructor for a few reasons. First and foremost, like with all boxing clubs and bootcamps, there will probably be some paperwork and liability forms that you will need to sign prior to being allowed to take the class. Next, the instructor will want to give you a quick tour of the gym to help make you feel more comfortable and show you the proper techniques to throw a few basic punches. The instructor will then teach you how to wrap your hands properly before getting ready to begin the class.  

Pro tip: Look for boxing classes that offer a free class for the first time to see if boxing fitness classes is right for you.... and don't worry, Legends Boxing always offers free trial classes!

Wear supportive sneakers

Running sneakers are great and all, but they are not ideal for this type of workout. You can expect a lot of movement during your first boxing class making it really important to wear support sneakers like training shoes.

Expect a full body workout

When thinking about boxing, many people envision it to only consist of punching a bag for 45 minutes – this couldn’t be further from the truth! Every boxing class is different and incorporates great exercises like squats, lunges, crunches, box jumps and mountain climbers working on every muscle group in the body.

What Are the Benefits of Boxing?

Like we mentioned a little earlier, boxing has a long list of benefits making it very popular in the fitness industry! Offering high intensity interval training or HIIT style workouts, boxing is definitely one of the best workouts available for those looking to get in shape.

You will burn a ton of calories helping with fat loss- fast!

If you are looking to get slim and trim, then look no further because boxing is right for you! With the potential to burn between 400 and 700 calories per hour, boxing is one of the best workouts to help with fat loss. Since boxing uses both the cardiovascular and anaerobic systems, the body will burn more calories in a shorter period of time as opposed to exercise like cycling and running. 

You will workout every muscle.

Boxing improves overall fitness by incorporating both cardio and strength, sculpting every muscle in the body. During a boxing workout, you may kick or punch a heavy bag requiring your lower and upper body along with your core to engage as you make contact. With every punch you will feel your muscles ignite helping you to build muscle and get strong. Boxing conditions the entire body using endurance, agility, strength and coordination making it a great full body workout!

It can help to improve your mental health!

One of the best benefits of boxing is the effect it has on mental and emotional health! Many people notice that their confidence improves with every class, helping them to walk taller with more self-esteem knowing they are doing their best to improve their overall health! Boxing helps many to get strong giving them the feeling of empowerment. It has also been found to be a great stress relief, helping many to manage their anger. Hitting a heavy bag can be a physical and symbolic expression of stress or anger and physically hitting a punching bag will produce a natural response in the body that can help to relieve tension. 

It can help with heart health.

‍Your core is one of the most powerful muscles in the body. All the delivered power from a punch does not come strictly from your arms, shoulders or back strength alone. Your core muscles play a very important role in transferring power to the arms during a punch. With every movement, the core is engaged making boxing an ideal workout for those who have always dreamed about having abs of steel!

Boxing is not only a great workout to build strength, but it is also an amazing way to improve your overall cardiovascular health! We are given one body with one heart to protect. With heart disease being the number one killer in the US, don’t you think taking care of your heart is important? Boxing can help to strengthen your blood vessels, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and improves the flow of oxygen throughout the body. 

The whole purpose of cardio is to place a good amount of stress on your heart and lungs. By doing this through exercise, you are challenging them to make beneficial physiologic adaptations to support the higher level of physical activity. This will help to boost your endurance increasing blood flow helping your body and your heart to get strong. Boxing can help to fight not only against heart disease but has shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes as well.

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Most importantly... it's fun!

Gone are the days of running on a treadmill staring off into the abyss for hours on end. Another great benefit of boxing is that the classes are always changing keeping you on your toes making the workout a lot of fun! Boxing is a great stress relief helping you to get in shape, challenging you to push your limits during every workout. Also, if you haven’t been to a class yet, be prepared to meet one of the most energetic and supportive communities in the fitness industry helping you to reach your goals!

If you are looking to add some excitement into your life while getting an incredible workout, we highly recommend giving boxing a try! Boxing helps you to burn calories, sculpt every muscle with a full body workout, helps to improve mental health and heart health, and is a lot of fun! 

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