Absolute Beginners Guide To Boxing For Women
3 Important reasons why women should be boxing as part of a weekly regime.
Girlfriends — Boxing is made for us women! As children we were raised to speak when we were spoken to. To swallow our anger because it wasn't becoming of a woman. To hide our frustration and most certainly never to lash-out... or hit back.
And that... is why boxing is made for us. Its a place where we can release our anger, deal with our frustrations and really HIT something while having FUN at the same . Its a therapy of sorts and it feels damn good too!
Boxing classes aren’t about competition or physical contact in fact its completely non-contact and all about you - there is no sharing bags, no men watching and no need for experience. Boxing can be for absolute beginners in fitness and in experience.
Boxing has been the fitness choice for centuries, reaching as far back as Roman times.
Passing all fitness fade tests, boxing is simply the best cardio & strength training we can give ourselves.
There is nothing more rewarding than hitting a bag — if words such as jab, cross, hook, and uppercut aren’t in your vocabulary yet — they should be! Beg, borrow or buy a pair of gloves because those bags have your name written all over them!
"I started boxing not long after I saw a friend of mine was 'Checking In' at this place called Punch Love. She was posting pictures of her laughing, sweaty and having fun. I couldn't even believe you could laugh while working out and to be honest she looked happy and confident in herself - something I hadn't seen in her in years. I wanted some of that too. " Julie- Punch Love member.
Here are three big reasons to start boxing today- especially if you’re an absolute beginner:
1. Physical: From the first moment you learn to throw a punch, your breathing increases, heart pumps, arms, chest, shoulders, core, and legs working in unison. Boxing burns over 500 calories/hour especially when you’re an absolute boxing beginner. Over time you’ll build lean muscles, develop stamina and endurance, and trigger the metabolism so it'll burn baby burn all day!
As we age, we lose muscle mass, strength, flexibility, and balance. Boxing reverses all this, giving us back what we lose, developing hand-eye coordination and entire body strength. For women, boxing is one of the most complete cardiovascular and resistance workouts ... and it is FUN.
2. Mental: Boxing forces women out of our comfort zone, overcoming fears, and requiring 100 percent mental concentration. Think of it just like learning a new language. As an absolute beginner, initially it’ll be mentally challenging, stimulating new parts of our brain, challenging our minds and bodies to work together.
The research on successful aging urges us to learn something new and to keep testing ourselves with new sequences and moves. Sure we can push our minds doing Sudoku and crossword puzzles, but we love boxing because it’s both physical and mental.
To box is to take on a rhythm and movement, coordinating the hips, activating those new found core muscles, the swivel of feet, and the power of the arms. It is exhausting, exhilarating, rigorous, and immensely rewarding. When you walk out the door you’ll feel 10ft tall and invincible. Any problems in your day have melted away and you’ll have the confidence to face the next day with ease.
3. Spiritual: Boxing, like meditation, focuses attention and calms the mind. When boxing, your mind unplugs from a busy world, with day to day schedules and family responsibilities, from the noise and chatter of the outside world, the ring of the phone and the distraction of social media. You will never been more present in your life than at boxing.
A boxing class at Punch Love is like therapy. Some days its anger management, other days its counselling or meditation. Preparing for class, wrapping up and getting gloves on calms the mind, fine tunes the senses... you’re ready to spend an hour on yourself.
Punch Love is for women of all ages, no mirrors, no men and all fitness levels can join and join in.
Guide to Getting Started
I’ve never done boxing before, is that ok? Our classes are designed to allow everyone to work out at their own pace, especially if you’re new. If it’s your first time you’ll start with our Technique Class to learn the ropes.
What is a Technique Class?
Our technique class is for everyone joining us- whether you’re an absolute beginner or just new to Punch Love. It ensures we get to know your body’s abilities and limitations and you get to know our punch work and class structure. You’ll get to meet your coach and ask any burning questions. You’ll also get your own pair of gloves and wraps, learn how to use our equipment and the correct punches to get the most out of your training.
When you click Join Now - Susie will contact you to book your technique class. Susie is your go to girl for everything in your first month.
What Should I Wear?
Comfort and ease of movement is the key here. There’s no special clothes or expectations. Our goal is for you to FEEL comfortable. Just bring water and a towel and your gloves and wraps you received when you joined.
What Does My First Class Look Like?
When you book in for your first proper class after technique your coaches will be already excited to meet you. Your coach will introduce you to some of our friendly members who will be your buddies and show you the ropes. There’s nothing better than a friendly face in those first few classes. Our studios are setup with individual punch pods- This means you will have a bag and mat all to yourself for a whole class. It's your training, your bag and at your pace.
Warm-up starts at the class start time. The coach guides you through the program introduction, warmup and mobility exercises to make sure your body is ready to go. Then its on to some bag warmup and the program its self. The class is a total of 50 mins. The program is the same for a whole week. It's the best way to familiarise yourself and to see improvement as you progress through the week. We finish with cool down and equipment wipe down.
What Punches Will I Be Using As A Beginner?
We like to keep things simple.
Starting with the beginners foot stance depending on whether you are left or right handed.
Followed by our 4 basic punch types.
Jab/ Cross -straight left right punch at chin height
Hooks - upper rib height to the side of the bags with elbows out
Body Rip/Uppercuts - gloves turned palms up and in a body rip movement bring the gloves in and out at lower rib level
Backfists - stand sideways to the bag with elbow at shoulder height, strike using the side fist of your glove.
Like any language as you learn the basics you’ll learn how to put those punches together in some really fun combinations ( just like sentences). As a beginner to boxing, Dido our technique coach always say - if in doubt just jab cross! There is no wrong in one of our classes!
If you’d like to join us for a Absolute Beginners Boxing Class head here for the next classes available
We run over 70 womens boxing classes a week across Castle Hill, Rouse Hill and Windsor, Richmond in the Hawkesbury NSW. Check out our womens boxing class timetables here.