When you mention the subject of boxing, the image that comes to people's minds is of two athletes in a boxing ring, adrenaline pumped and trying to destroy each other using their fists as weapons. Boxing for fitness is something entirely different where entire classes of people can achieve a great workout from a non-contact version of the sport. Boxing as a way to keep fit is becoming increasingly popular and rightfully so considering its many benefits. You will experience increased agility, speed, endurance, coordination and strength. You will learn the proper way to control your feet and the basic boxing stance. You will learn basic punches such as the jab, the hook, the upper cut, and how to combine them all effectively as you develop your boxing skills. Boxing is not just a sport for self defence, although you will learn how to properly throw a punch. And it will build your self-confidence knowing that if anything goes awry you should be able to take care of yourself. So you may wonder how I got started in boxing. I was already going to the gym three or four times every week, but I was only working on weight training. I did absolutely no cardio and despite being stronger and more muscular I was still soft around the midsection. The idea of running had no appeal for me at all, so getting on a treadmill was out of the question. I considered going with my girlfriend to one of her group fitness classes but I was a little hesitant because there were never many guys attending. After a conversation with my boss in the lunch room he suggested I come along to a boxing session. He is in his 40s and in incredible physical shape. He is totally ripped, six pack abs and all, so when someone in that kind of physical shape talks, I listen. He let me know that I could borrow a pair of boxing gloves so all I needed to bring was a bottle of water and a towel. It was a little challenging as I had never attempted boxing before. My soon-to-be-sparring-partner told me that boxing is a sport that anyone can do, so that week I tagged along to the gym to try it out. First we went through a 15 minute warm up session, then 30 minutes of sparring, and then a 15 minute cool down. I experienced a whole new world of pain! Not because someone smacked me in the face (it is non-contact after all). It was my muscles that were burning like they had never burned before. Muscles I did not even know I was using were hurting. My core, my legs, my shoulders; everything burned like fire. I thought I would never make it back to the gym, but after a couple of days of recovery I gave it another try. I was prepared better mentally this time around and knowing the moves allowed for a better work out. I continued to go week after week and started noticing that I was starting to trim up a little and that spare tyre around my midsection was fading away. Boxing is very much a high repetition work-out so you'll see tone rather than muscle. That combined with a nutritious diet will show you results very quickly. If I've learnt anything from the experience it is not to be afraid to try something new. No matter what your skill or fitness level is, boxing is good for you because it can be modified to increase or decrease intensity and complexity of the workout. There is no excuse not to try it. It is an excellent way to de-stress and take out your frustrations on the boxing pads. Boxing is a high intensity program of exercise. It targets numerous large muscle groups, which assures you a program for toning and building strength while you also become more in shape and better fit. The gym is a great place to work out and spend time with a friend. You can even get a little competitive if you wish, as long as you keep all the moves above the belt. We have all been in a rut, locked in a pattern of circumstances that we cannot seem to get out of. Rarely do those circumstances change by themselves, it's more likely that we will need to take action to ensure that we don't become stuck in a rut.

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