This article will discuss the main reasons why boxing is a good hobby.
We think it’s okay if you don’t want to learn how to box to compete or fight professionally.
If you just want to learn the basics, get fit, and make new friends, there’s room for you in the boxing gym.
Reasons Why Boxing Is A Good Hobby
Boxing is a good hobby because:
- Boxing Has A Low Barrier Of Entry
- Boxing Builds Your Physical And Mental Health
- Boxing Surrounds You With Community
- Boxing Teaches You Timeless Life Lessons
- Boxing Is A Gateway To Other Combat Sports
Boxing Has A Low Barrier Of Entry
The first reason why boxing is easy to learn is because it has a low barrier to entry.
This is part of boxing’s mass appeal: anyone of any age, race, or class can join.
Most boxing gyms will accept you as you are, with whatever clothes or shoes you have on at the moment.
To start boxing, you don’t need a basketball court, or a surfboard, or a hockey stick.
You can show up to your local fitness gym and work the punching bag or learn the basics by yourself without any equipment, as we’ll discuss next.
Boxing Builds Your Physical And Mental Health
The next reason why boxing is a good hobby because it builds your physical and mental health.
Some of the physical benefits of boxing include:
- Weight loss
- Muscle gain
- Improved cardiovascular capacity
- Improved reflexes and mobility
On the other hand, some of the mental benefits of boxing include:
- Improved self confidence
- Reduced stress
- Improved sleep quality
- Increased endorphins
In all, you become a better and happier person after boxing for some time.
Also, we think that boxing is a great supplement for other footwork-based sports, such as basketball and soccer.
There are little to no downsides to picking up boxing as a hobby.
Boxing Surrounds You With Community
Next, boxing is a good hobby because it surrounds you with community.
Even though boxing is a solo sport, you’ll meet and become friends with people who will be key to your success.
The boxing gym is one of the few places where race, religion, and time don’t matter. There’s only the shared love of the sport and the task at hand.
You’ll find a specific kind of friendship and respect you’ll find after beating another boxer up (or getting beat up by) after sparring.
We’ve only seen this type of camaraderie in surfing, the other alone-together sport.
(When the lineup gets caught on the inside or barely makes it over a set, if you know, you know.)
Boxing Teaches You Timeless Life Lessons
Next, boxing is a good hobby because it teaches you timeless life lessons.
When you give your energy to something as challenging and strenuous as boxing for a long time, you’re bound to learn something good.
Our favorite lessons from our boxing career include:
- How to push our limits
- How to take defeat well
- How to believe in ourselves
- How to take responsibility for our actions
For us, the greatest lesson was that everything matters.
You can’t just focus on offense, you have to work on defense and footwork too if you want to be successful at boxing.
In life, everything matters as well. You can’t just focus on health, you always have to put time into relationships and work.
You’ll learn your own unique lessons as you go through your boxing journey.
Boxing Is A Gateway To Other Combat Sports
Lastly, boxing is a good hobby because it’s a gateway to other combat sports.
We’ve known a few boxers who go on to learn other martial arts, such as muay thai or jiu jitsu.
No matter what you decide to do after boxing, the basics that you learn in the boxing gym will always stay with you.
We think all beginners should start with boxing, just so they get used to stance, to know what it’s like to get hit, and the physical requirements of combat sports.
Conclusion
Now that you know the reasons why boxing makes a good hobby, we hope you’ll pick it up and run with it.
We like to tell beginners: boxing doesn’t always mean fighting. You can box just to learn the skills and create a healthier lifestyle for yourself.
If you’re having trouble deciding what boxing equipment to get, check out these articles: