What better way to celebrate a fit New York Fashion Week than with the workout models go crazy for? We’ve shown you why the world’s top models love boxing and where they get their sweat on – now lifestyle blogger Lauren Gores Ireland is giving us the lowdown on how to pack in that fitness punch yourself..
PHYSICAL BENEFITS: Boxing is a full-body workout that reduces body fat. The exercises tone your stomach, arms, legs and back, while increasing strength and cardio skills. Boxing is a good compliment to yoga and/or Pilates, while simultaneously teaching you self-defense skills.
MENTAL BENEFITS: This workout is known to be therapeutic once you’ve got the basics down. You’re able to practice discipline while releasing ongoing stress and negative energy. You’ll notice boxing also challenges your hand-eye coordination.
A good workout should challenge both your body and mind – and nothing does it better than boxing. As a lover of zen workouts, I was initially hesitant to try something that involved such intensity and force. However, the first session reminded me that switching up my normal routine has a powerful effect, both mentally and physically.
Start by working alongside a trainer. Once you’ve learned the basics, you can take your skills home with you and practice against a punching bag.
I teamed up with House Of Fitness boxing expert Michael DeGood to learn how to throw a few solid punches. Replicate our moves for a therapeutic cardio workout…
For a full-body workout, do three-minute boxing rounds separated by three-minutes of cardio and/or abs work. Repeat five times, for a 30-minute workout.
Note: The following moves are based on being right-handed. Make changes accordingly.
WRAP HANDS
Your trainer should begin by wrapping your hands for proper wrist support. This is especially important for beginners to avoid injuries. Wrapping protects your joints and the small bones in your hands. An alternative is to buy a pair of fingerless gloves.
WARM UP
Start your workout with some light cardio. Three minutes of jump roping is ideal for getting your heart rate up, while warming up your coordination skills.
JAB CROSS
To get in the correct standing position, begin with your feet shoulder-width apart. Then, take one natural step forward with your right foot, and bend your knees slightly. More of your weight will be on your back foot. Tuck your elbows in before throwing the punch to protect your face. Your left hand is known as the “jab,” while the right is the “cross.” For the jab, throw a straight punch out with your left, while keeping your right arm just below your chin. The power of your punch should come from your hips, more than your shoulders. For the cross, throw the exact same punch, but with your right arm.
LEFT HOOK
Here, your legs are slightly wider apart and your front heel is up. Your left arm will make a 90-degree angle, parallel to the floor. This time, your focus should be on throwing a punch from the side rather than the front. Again, use your hips to control the power of the punch. Your right arm is meant protect your face, so keep your elbow close to your body.
RIGHT UPPERCUT
Your feet will remain in a similar position, this time keeping your back heel up. Both knees should start off bent, but your right leg will straighten as you go in for the move. This is a close-proximity punch, and you should drive your whole body into this move. Your right arm will remain bent, as you throw your hand upwards into the mitt. Tip: Pretend there’s a string attached from your right elbow to your right hip, so as you go in for the punch your body moves in unison.
