Debunking Some Of The Most Common Myths About Boxing

If you have been thinking about switching up your exercise routine, why not try boxing? Before you begin your journey, it is important to correct some of the common misconceptions about the sport.

1)   BOXING IS A VIOLENT SPORT

Friendly Fight Friday at The Ring

The stigma attached to boxing being a violent and aggressive sport may be common, but there is definitely more that exists in the sweet science of boxing. It is not all about inflicting the most damage to your opponent, but also a lot about discipline, strategy and technique. As with every contact sport, boxing has its risks, but practiced under a safe and professional environment, the likelihood of injuries in boxing classes is ultimately equal to any other sport – including pilates or yoga! Boxing classes at The Ring are not designed to promote violence, but rather to prove how a contact sport like boxing can be a fantastic alternative to keep fit and stay active. And even though many of our coaches have professional fights to their name, they don’t bite. As part of our efforts in building boxing as a community sport, we constantly organise events such as Friendly Fight Fridays and weekly sparring sessions to prove that boxing is for everyone.

2)  ONLY GUYS DO BOXING

Femme Fatale Classes at The Ring

It is almost impossible to ignore the growing popularity of combat sports in the recent years. With the influence of social media, the association that boxing is a male dominated sport has dwindled over time thanks to female celebrities and influencers constantly sharing about how combat sports like boxing has been beneficial to their overall fitness regime. It is not just about power or strength; boxing classes are fun and stimulating for your physical and mental health. The Ring has Femme Fatale classes catered specifically for women, so if you ever feel intimidated or apprehensive to try out boxing, those classes are a great starting point to your journey in boxing.

3)  THE HEAVIER YOU ARE, THE STRONGER YOU ARE

The Ring’s coach, Hamzah

Whether you are having a friendly sparring session or just participating in partner drills in class, do not feel intimated if your partner is larger in size than you. Boxing is not a bulking sport, but relies on the ability to effectively channel your strength to maximise your power. Having a muscular physique might be important in sports like weightlifting, but most professional fighters in boxing are lean. Do not be deceived by their size, because their punches pack power! Take The Ring’s coach Hamzah for example. The toned and charismatic boxer has mastered the art of inflicting maximum damage with his punches. Did you know that having an overly muscular physique is not beneficial for combat sports like boxing because they can actually slow down your movements? So the next time you train, do not focus on size, but rather the technique.

4) BOXING ONLY TONES YOUR ARMS AND NOT THE REST OF YOUR BODY

Boxing as a Full Body Workout

Having muscular arms is not the most important when it comes to boxing, but rather, it is more important to have the ability to transfer the maximum power from your core and legs into your punches. During boxing classes, you are not only expected to practice your punches. There is a lot of focus on your core, shoulders and legs working together to deliver the hardest hit. Foot work, core conditioning and strength training are designed to develop cardiovascular strength, so be rest assured that you are gaining a full body workout during each boxing session.

IF YOU ARE KEEN ON EMBARKING ON A LIFE-CHANGING FITNESS JOURNEY, SIGN UP FOR A FREE TRIAL HERE AT THE RING!

Find Boxing Classes in Singapore at your Boxing Gym in Singapore: The Ring!

 

Box Your Way To A Healthier Mind

Many studies have shown that frequent exercise can lead to improvements in your mental wellbeing – from lowering your anxiety to boosting your self-esteem. A quick 20 to 40 minutes of aerobic workout can easily enhance your mood for several hours. Boxing is not only a great sport that engages your full body – It is also a great mental booster. Find out more about the mental benefits of boxing.

If you’re one that struggles to find the motivation to head to the gym, boxing classes are a great alternative for the busy individual.  Often lasting between forty-five minutes to an hour, boxing classes encourage you to fully concentrate your mind and energy during its duration. Compared to working out alone, classes are definitely more inclusive and provide a fun environment to interact and socialize. Research also shows that group workouts offer greater benefits for mental health because they stimulate social interaction and motivation. On days when you desperately need an extra boost, working out in a group forces you to be present in the moment, especially during partner-based drills. It also encourages you to establish greater awareness and connection with your physical body.

Morning workouts are generally beneficial for your mental wellbeing because they increase your productivity and energy levels throughout the day. Instead of feeling lethargic after working out, many individuals experience lesser stress and higher motivation. Exercising also produces endorphins, which are said to alleviate depression and reduce stress and anxiety. Kick starting the day with a workout will increase your mental focus, resilience and determination.

Boxing is also a fantastic outlet for releasing pent up emotions! Punching your stresses on the bag allows for a healthy way to release aggression, letting you work through your negative feelings. Rather than suppressing your emotions, exercising is a great way to let off some steam, improving your overall mental well-being.

Boxing coach Syakir says,

“Boxing for me is a form of meditation. Boxing is somewhat a very personal sport that when done in a big group can be a great form of support. Your individual mental battles are equally as important as your physical battles in the ring. Boxing can help break down those mental walls and help you achieve a much better mental state after a session.”

Picking up a new skill is always great, and a sport like boxing can be a great confidence booster for those who find hitting the gym daunting. Here at The Ring, our personalized classes provide a safe and fun environment for you to improve and hone your skills. You will have the opportunity to be exposed to the different techniques and forms of boxing by our qualified coaches, and interact and socialize with others, improving your confidence! Start off 2019 with a promise to be a better you!

Preparing For A Boxing Match

The thrill and excitement is undeniable whenever one watches a boxing match but the preparation before the fight is equally thrilling, exciting and even challenging for any boxer.

 

 

A typical training camp before a professional boxing match varies between 6 to 8 weeks. During these crucial weeks, the fighter undergoes a series of intense training, preparing his body for the upcoming fight. The main difference between a professional and amateur fighter is the time they have to prepare. Professional fighters are usually notified about their fights weeks in advance, and have plenty of time leading up to their fight. Amateur fighters however, mostly fight within short notice, so their preparation time varies between a week to about 4 weeks. Acording to the  United States Olympic Committee, the high demands in speed, endurance and durability easily makes boxing the most difficult out of 60 other sports. It is important to remember that boxing is a high-risk combat sport, regardless whether you’re a professional or amateur boxer, the steps taken to prepare for a fight are equally crucial.

KNOW YOUR BODY

Pre-fight training typically includes the usual – skipping, running, working with weights, shadow boxing and pad work. Coaches would create a routine that develops and prepares a boxer for their fight. Sparring sessions, where boxers spar with training partners to condition their body, are also common during training camps. Professional boxer and The Ring’s coach Hamzah Farouk says that “One tip is to film yourself when you are sparring, that way, you can replay the footage over and over again to analyze your flaws.” Repeat your training and always practice both the defence and attack. The more you prepare, the more fluid your punches would

PLAN YOUR DIET

Part of the journey to becoming a fighter is planning a healthy diet and nutrition. Coach Abdelelah Karroum or “Abdou” of The Ring says, “It is especially important not to give in to your cravings during the weeks leading up to the fight because on top of training, you have to watch your weight”. If a fighter does not plan his diet properly, he might risk not being able to make weight during his weigh-ins. Also, extreme weight cuts can be detrimental to the body – the sudden loss of water and vital nutrients could cause your organs to shut down. Hence, most fighters work with their coaches to develop a realistic diet plan, which they must strictly adhere to. Protein shakes, or protein water are great meal replacements that can provide the same energy and nutrients your body needs during training cam!

 CONDITION YOUR MIND

While it is important to focus on your physique during training camp, it is also crucial that you rehearse your game plan mentally. Professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter Kirstie Gannaway of Golden Glove Asia Promotions emphasizes the importance of having a focused mentality prior to the fight. “Many people fail to realise that fighting is not only a physical sport; it is also a mental game.” During the fight, analyzing your opponent and adjusting your strategy accordingly is also a key component in bagging the win.

Kirstie Gannaway of Golden Glove Asia Promotions at her training session.

Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/kirstiegannaway/

What makes The Ring Boxing Community stand out is our consistent commitment to supporting the local boxing community. With our weekly sparring sessions, Friendly Fight Fridays, Amateur Fight Nights and The Ring Fighting Championship, we aim to provide a safe and holistic platform to promote the local boxing community in Singapore.

Our newly launched “School Of Boxing” programme, is a levelled coaching system, where members will eventually have the opportunity to join our fight team through a series of focused and specialized trainings. Find out more about our revised schedule at https://www.thering.sg/schedule/.