Top Benefits of Boxing for Seniors

You feel tired, exhausted. Your back hurts, your shoulders slump, and you can’t resist that second piece of chocolate cake. Day in and day out, you feel your physical health start to disintegrate. You know you need to get moving. You know you need to take better care of your body, and mind. And what better way to do that than to engage in physical activity!  So, what do you do?

Boxing.

And here’s why:

1.     Cardiovascular health

Upper cut. Lower cut. Jab, jab, jab. One ferocious punch after the other. Your heart’s medicine. Like your body needs carbs for energy and health, your heart needs cardio. And what better way to weave cardio into your life that letting it all out on a punching bag for a few minutes. Cardiovascular health is essential to longevity, functionality and overall long-term health. So, instead of going on that mundane walk around the block you dread, sign up for a boxing class. You’ll get a more enjoyable workout, from which you’ll reap more benefits.

2.    Functional training

Can’t open a jar? Need to carry a box from one room to another? Climbing the stairs still hurts your back? Worry not! Boxing has your back… literally. Better posture, functional strength and a stronger core are only some of the benefits of this particular form of exercise. With a balance of upper-body, lower-body and abdominal strength training – in addition to stretching – boxing preps your body for all its daily demands.

3.    Mental health

It has been proven that keeping an elevated heart rate for twenty minutes a day significantly reduces chances of depression, anxiety and other mental conditions. Take care of your body, and it will take care of your mind – and vise-versa. Go to boxing class, release endorphins, choose salad over cake. The process of staying healthy requires a solid mind-body balance. All you need is consistency – and signing up for classes is a great way to keep tabs on your physical activity.

4.    Fun!

It’s not a sport, it’s a martial art. It’s good for your heart, mind and soul. You learn a new, useful skill while banging punches out on a punching bag. You meet new people, socialize and get some movement into your daily routine. You feel good, you have fun. And isn’t that all there is to staying healthy?