Boxing has a lot to offer – it blitzes calories, builds muscle and mends the mind. Here’s how to punch your way to a better mood.
Think the main motive for hitting a boxing ring is to carve killer abs or hone toned arms? On the contrary – a horde of A-listers claim packing a punch has saved them from mental meltdown. Just recently, Prince Harry admitted that he turned to boxing to help him manage the pent-up aggression he felt following the death of his mother, Princess Diana. And singer Ellie Goulding also sought refuge in the sport to handle feelings of stress and anxiety. ‘It wasn’t about any change in my outward appearance,’ says the star. ‘It was about feeling myself get better and stronger.’
With anecdotal evidence of boxing’s emotional benefits stacking up, national governing body for group exercise EMD UK is set to study the mental health pluses of combat classes such as Boxercise [a type of boxing class]. ‘Through our Participant Survey 2015, we know that 50 per cent of people take part in group exercise for stress relief and relaxation,’ explains Chloe Devitt-Spooner, project and business development manager, ‘And we’ve identified Boxercise as a key activity because the blend of boxing and fitness training allows participants to let off steam in a safe, fun and social environment.’
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