While there are naturally inherent risks to competing in boxing, boxing and many other martial arts and combat sports can offer plenty of benefits for your mind, body, and soul and lots of people use the training as a way to get in shape and feel better about themselves.
Here, we'll be looking at why you should consider taking up boxing (or any other combat sport for that matter) and the places in Wellington to do it!
Reasons to Do Boxing
We've already mentioned that boxing is good for you, but why exactly is that? Here are just some of the areas where boxing and combat sports can help.
Cardio
When most people first think of boxing, they probably think of strength. After all, this is a contact sport and it's the powerful punches that tend to dramatically end fights.
However, boxers are both incredibly strong and in excellent shape in terms of endurance. Boxing can improve your cardio since there's a lot of cardio fitness training in most boxing classes and training programs.
The typical boxing match is 36 minutes of boxing and 11 minutes of rest between each round so lasting as long as it takes is hugely important, especially when your opponent is trying to punch you!
Strength
Boxing classes and training will also focus on building up your strength. Strength training is a big part of combat sports and martial arts for obvious reasons and even if you're not training for a fight, you'll still look to improve your strength through boxing. Strength training in boxing can help you to tone muscle, too!
Weight Management
Whether you're looking to lose, maintain, or gain weight, boxing training can help you do it in the right way.
Exercise and diet are key to reaching and maintaining the right weight and if you're looking to shed some weight or bulk up, regularly attending a boxing class can help.
You'll find that most coaches will have a good understanding of nutrition, too, and can offer you advice on how to eat right and the foods you should be eating to get the most out of your boxing training.
Coordination and Reflexes
Boxing is a sport for the body and the mind and the best boxers need to be sharp as they look to avoid or block their opponent's attacks while also looking for openings to attack and landing the perfect punch.
Boxing training tends to pay particular attention to technique and form and is a great way to improve your coordination and reflexes.
How much your boxing classes focus on technique will depend on the type of class as there are also boxing classes that are purely for fitness rather than teaching you how to fight.
Stress
Physical exercise is great for reducing stress and anxiety and boxing training is no exception. Boxing classes or training sessions, especially high-intensity ones, are excellent ways to blow off steam.
Your body also reacts to physical exercise by releasing endorphins, the hormone that's also released during pleasurable activities like eating, laughing, and some other pleasurable activities that we don't need to mention.
Discipline
Boxing is a fantastic way to learn discipline. Whether it's through group boxing classes or personal training, you have to keep going when it gets tough, which can help you develop a mental toughness.
Self-defence
Boxing and many other combat sports can be used for self-defence. While this doesn't mean you can go out looking for a fight, boxing skills can be used to defend yourself in dangerous situations.
Your understanding of boxing techniques and situational awareness can also help you to work out the best way to avoid and get out of potentially dangerous situations without having to even throw a punch.
Socialising
On a brighter note, attending boxing classes is a way to meet new people and socialise. There's often a good sense of camaraderie in boxing gyms and you'll get to meet people with at least one shared interest.
It can also help a lot to participate in a group as you can all hold each other accountable and this shared accountability can be hugely important when you feel like giving up or start struggling.
Confidence
With any pastime, you'll find your self-confidence growing as you improve. Whether it's boxing, kickboxing, or Muay Thai, you'll feel better about yourself as your skills improve.
You can also find your self-confidence improving as you meet your fitness goals, especially if you're attending your boxing classes to reach a healthy weight.
Posture and Balance
Last but not least, boxing can help improve your posture and balance. Boxing training will improve your core strength and when combined with improved self-confidence, you'll see that you stand taller and carry yourself better.
Places to Do Boxing in Wellington
Now that you know why you should be attending boxing fitness or training classes, let's see some of the places in Wellington offering them.
Body Shot Fitness
Body Shot Fitness has locations in both Wellington and Porirua. The Wellington branch can be found at Level 4/107 Customhouse Quay, Te Aro, Wellington.
Their trademark "Body Shot" class is a high-intensity boxing workout class that includes bag and pad work with fitness drills.
Some classes focus on conditioning, boxing skills, cardio, or one-on-one boxing basics classes for beginners who are a little nervous about joining a group class.
Find out about Auckland's best boxing gyms.
Gloves Boxing Gym
Gloves Boxing Gym offers classes in various areas of boxing and fitness for all levels. Whether it's the introductory class for beginners or the “Problem Solver” class to work on something specific, there are options for everyone.
Like many of the other boxing gyms in Wellington, there are also boxing classes focusing on sparring, drills, fitness, or boxing technique.
You can find Gloves Boxing Gym at the following address: Top Floor, 28 Hopper Street, Mt Cook, Wellington.
Kruchain Muay Thai
Muay Thai also offers all of the benefits that boxing classes can offer and if it's something you'd be interested in, Kruchain Muay Thai in Wellington offers a range of classes for different levels and ages.
There's also the option for private sessions if you'd like to learn one-on-one with a personal trainer or coach.
Kruchain Muay Thai is located at Level 1 / 133 Tory Street, Wellington.
Warrior Training Academy
Warrior Training Academy (WTA) in Wellington is a combat sports gym that offers boxing, Muay Thai, and Krav Maga self-defence classes. There are also boxing classes for kids and even yoga sessions.
There are various memberships available based on how often you pay and how long you commit.
You find Warrior Training Academy at Level 1 & 2, 6 Vivian Street, Wellington.
Wellington Boxing Gym
Wellington Boxing Gym has locations in Kilbirnie, Wellington Central, and Alicetown.
You can find boxing classes according to your boxing experience and fitness levels including classes covering basic boxing skills, kickboxing, HIIT, and pad work.
Discover the best boxing gyms in Christchurch.
Boxing with a Private Tutor
Another way to do boxing classes is with a private tutor, coach, or trainer. On the Superprof website, for example, you can search for boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or any other combat sport or martial art you'd be interested in.
From there, you can browse the various tutors' and coaches' profiles, see how much they charge, and read reviews left by their other clients.
It's always a good idea to consider what you're looking for in a coach before you start your search so that you can shortlist coaches that meet your requirements rather than just searching blindly.
Once you've found a few potential boxing coaches, you can start getting in touch with them to discuss your needs and with many of the tutors on Superprof offering their first lesson for free, you can try them out before choosing the one that's right for you, your budget, and your level.
Generally, face-to-face tutoring or coaching is the most cost-effective approach since you'll spend every minute of the session focusing on you and your goals, but you can save money by opting for group sessions.
You can enjoy group boxing sessions either with strangers or organise them with friends, family members, or colleagues who'd be interested in doing the classes with you. Since you'll all be sharing the cost of the coach's time and expertise, these usually work out cheaper than one-on-one sessions, at the cost of having the sessions fully tailored to the individual.
It mightn't be something that you'd immediately think of, but you can also enjoy online boxing training sessions. Naturally, you won't be able to do everything you'd do with your coach there with you, but you can still enjoy tailored training sessions via webcam or even work in consultation with your coach to come up with diets and training plans for you to complete outside of your sessions.
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