With its many benefits and low cost in terms of equipment, this discipline is gaining new fans every day.
What is fit boxing?
Fit boxing, also known as fit boxing or fitness boxing, is a sport that combines fist-foot fighting techniques with fitness techniques. The techniques are derived from both English and French boxing.
The very intense exercises work the whole body, including the cardiovascular system, the muscular system and the joints. The exercises are performed in groups and to music, so that all the participants share the same rhythm.
How a fit boxing session works
Warming up
As with most physical activities, every fit boxing session begins with a ten-minute warm-up. This is essential to avoid injury. Skipping rope, running or a cardio machine are all suitable.
Split training
Once the muscles have been warmed up and the heart rate adjusted, you move on to split work. The advantage of fit boxing is that it involves all the limbs, muscles and joints of the body. The exercises include cardio and muscle work. It is common to consume over 350 Kcal in a 45-minute session.
The fit boxing session is generally set to music to give a rhythm to the exercises and to ensure that all the participants are together during group practice.
Stretching
At the end of the session, muscle-strengthening exercises are programmed. Pilates and yoga exercises are used to strengthen the abdominal muscles and the buttocks. Stretching completes the session to promote recovery.
The benefits of fit boxing
Physical benefits
The various exercises practised during fit boxing sessions help to improve joint flexibility and strengthen your muscles. Because the split training is fairly intense, fit boxing also has benefits for the cardiovascular system. Energising, it’s also a good way to lose fat and therefore a few superfluous kilograms. With enough practice, you can sculpt an attractive, harmonious figure and improve your stamina and tone.
Finally, regular sessions of fit boxing, as well as being beneficial for the whole body, will enable you to assimilate some of the reflexes common to all types of boxing, but more gently than when practising a combat sport. Month by month, you’ll build power, strength and relaxation.
Psychological benefits
As well as the physical benefits, fit boxing has psychological advantages. Practising allows you to let off steam, which is sometimes very useful after a hard day’s work. Practitioners generally experience a significant reduction in stress. Acquiring the various punches and kicks also leads to a surpassing of one’s limits, you get out of your comfort zone. This develops better self-esteem and greater self-confidence.
Fit boxing equipment
In fit boxing, there are no blows or impacts. So there’s no need to invest in the classic amateur boxing equipment. Goodbye bandages, boxing gloves, boxing helmets, mouth guards, shin guards, punching bags and punching bags. All these relatively expensive accessories are unnecessary.
Finally, the equipment needed for fit boxing is the same as for amateur running. Suitable sportswear and shoes are ideal. A tracksuit or shorts, a T-shirt and tennis shoes will do.
As the sessions are fairly intense, you’re likely to sweat a lot. Make sure you have a small towel handy to dry off in, as well as a change of clothes to go home in after the session.
If you have long hair, use a headband or elastic band to tie it up so that it doesn’t get in the way during exercise.
Where can you practice fitboxing?
In a club
Not many clubs specialise in fit boxing. Try a gym that offers a range of activities, including fitness.
Sessions are generally organised in groups with a group leader or sports coach. There are also private tutors who organise one-to-one sessions in an appropriate room or even at home.
Group sessions have the advantage of avoiding the demotivation that can quickly set in with solo practice. The exercises are more easily renewed, the music changes, your movements and postures can be corrected by the fit boxe coach and you can see your level and progress in relation to the other participants.
At home
Even if it’s not ideal, it’s also possible to train at home. You’ll find plenty of videos of fit boxing sessions on YouTube. But to be effective and safe, the different exercises need to be mastered and performed correctly. So it’s highly advisable to take part in a few sessions with a teacher before starting out on your own at home.
The right sports bag for fit boxing
Fit boxing requires very little equipment but is very physically demanding. It is therefore essential to be able to bring a change of clothes and possibly toiletries. Karkoa’s crossfit bag compartmentalised sports bags make it easy to carry everything you need.
