A cardiologist enjoys one particular exercise that has the added benefits of reducing a person’s risk of heart disease and high-blood pressure, while also holding numerous other positives.
While he won’t be challenging for a world heavyweight title any time soon, Dr. Lance LaMotte has explained that boxing has allowed him to boost his overall health, keep his mental wellbeing in fighting form and even build muscle due to the strain it puts on the arms and shoulders.
It also comes as a flexible type of exercise for those who have busy schedules. Speaking to Well and Good, he said: “I obviously like to get to our heavy-bag classes a couple of days a week, but also enjoy one-on-one mitt sessions, which are great at polishing skill and footwork. I also enjoy the competitive nature of CrossFit, primarily to push my personal performance, but also to see how I compare to peers (and even those younger than me).”
Meanwhile, Dr. LaMotte explained that it does more than just burning fat and pushing the cardiovascular system into overdrive, insisting that it targets multiple areas of the body. He added: “It engages the core.
“The footwork required enhances agility and lower body strength. It is absolutely demanding on the arms and shoulders, and builds muscle and definition. Additionally, there is intense stress relief and euphoria when hitting the bag or mitts.”
But the best part about boxing, according to the renowned health professional, is that you don’t have to be on Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury’s level to get started – and that anyone can take part, no matter their experience. He added: “The best thing is that no experience is necessary.
“Even the novice gets a great workout starting day one. Those with experience continue to reap these benefits and further refine skills for even better workout quality.”
(Image: SCU)
As per Dr. LaMotte, the health benefits of HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) are incredible, and participating in workouts like boxing can boost far more than just physical health. He explained: “Heart healthy exercises can lower one’s risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes, dementia, better sleep, better bone health, and a better sense of overall well-being.
“There is a lower risk of depression, anxiety, and some types of cancer. Exercise can also improve cognition and memory.”
As per Hayabusa, just 30 minutes of sparring or cardio with a heavy bag can burn as much as 324 calories for a person weighing 155lbs – showing why so many of the world’s best boxers and kickboxers have chiselled abs and low body fat percentiles when coupled with a strict diet and training regiment.
The British Heart Foundation suggest that excess weight and obesity can increase the likelihood of developing cancer, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and heart and circulatory diseases like heart attacks, strokes and vascular dementia.
Intensive exercise such as boxing, when practiced safely, can reduce weight and improve BMI, which in turn offer other health benefits as listed by the BHF, such as. “It might improve your mood and your self-confidence, it can increase your energy levels and help you feel less tired, it may make it easier for you to move around and be physically active, it will reduce your risk of developing health problems like high blood pressure, cancer and heart and circulatory diseases.”
If boxing isn’t up your street, then fear not – as there are a number of other HIIT workouts that you can do to burn the calories and keep your cardiovascular system in tip-top shape, such as power walking, jumping jacks, burpees, planks and jumping lunges, to name a few.