Lose Weight and Kick Butt: Why You Should Start a Boxing Workout

If you have been to a gym in the past few years, chances are that you have seen someone participating in a boxing workout. While this may seem like an exercise only for people who are trying to become professional fighters, it can actually be used successfully for a number of different reasons. No matter if you are trying to lose weight, improve your cardiovascular system, tone up, or simply improve you mood, you may want to consider adding boxing to your workout.

Lose Weight

One of the most important reasons why you should start a boxing workout is due to the ability of the exercise to produce major weight loss results. In order to lose one pound of weight per week, you must cut 3500 calories, or around 500 calories per day. While this can be achieved by changing your diet, boxing is extremely effective in helping you burn calories. Boxing for only one hour per day can result in a calorie burn of nearly 600 calories, which is well above what you need to lose one pound per week.

Improve Your Cardiovascular System

Another reason why you should start a boxing routine is due to the effect that boxing can have on your cardiovascular system. Your cardiovascular system is composed of your heart, as well as the arteries and veins that deliver blood to and from the heart. A weak cardiovascular system can result in shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, and in severe cases heart attacks and even death. Research has found that the best way to strengthen your cardiovascular system is by participating in activities that stress the heart. These include things like walking, swimming, biking, and of course, boxing. For best results, try to get at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity in most days per week.

Increase Muscle Tone

Obviously boxing is a great way to increase muscle size and tone. While you might believe that boxing only helps to build the muscles of the upper body, it is actually an effective way to tone the legs and core as well. This makes it a great exercise for you if you don't have a lot of time, because you can strengthen your entire body with only one type of exercise. Increasing muscle tone not only makes you look lean and feel stronger, but it actually helps increase your agility. This prevents falls as you age, which is a major contributor to death among the elderly.

Improve Your Mood

Finally, research has found that exercise helps to release endorphins into your bloodstream, which work to improve your mood. Often, exercise is suggested for people who are depressed or are even feeling slightly down as a way to make them happier and less stressed. Boxing, therefore, is not only an effective way to help you get out all of your aggression, but it may actually help to make you feel better in the process.

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