Fitness & Exercise

Why everyone's boxing right now

Yep, it’s the workout that’s knocked yoga off its top spot

7 February 2017

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If there's one fitness myth we're glad to see debunked, it's that women can't handle a hardcore workout. Because while it used to be all graceful aerobics and gentle yoga practice, right now we're training harder than ever and getting sweaty as hell - particularly in the ring. Yep, boxing is officially the hottest workout right now, says activewear site fashercise.com, which has reported sales of boxing gloves shooting up a knock-out 130% compared to last year. What's more, 'boxing' has become the most site's most-searched-for term, overtaking 'yoga' for the first time ever. Take that, Downward Dog.

Of course, the boxing vibe has been bubbling away for a few years now - ever since Nicola Adams became the first woman to win Olympic gold in the sport in 2012. "Her fantastic boxing performances on the international stage have gone some way to change the perception of females who box among the public," says Amy Andrew, a trainer at east London boxing studio BLOK. In fact, Sport England found that women taking up boxing increased an amazing 79% after Adams' extraordinary win. Add that to boxing's recent Insta-ready celeb fans, such as Ellie Goulding, Gigi Hadid and Karli Kloss, and you have the perfect combo of cool, empowering and energising to make the sport the millennial must-do.

Just recently, I boxed my heart (and hands) out at the new Total Boxer studio in North London, a welcoming space with a ring and a punch bag section that has a 50/50 equal split between men and women members. For me, boxing is the perfect stress relief - not only do I get to hit things hard and bash out the day's frustrations, the concentration required to keep up the footwork and moves means it's the perfect distraction from a daunting to-do list. I also love the physicality of it - the muscle-building, sweaty, messy, give-it-your-all devotion that goes into each and every punch. In fact, at Total Boxer, I had to say sorry to the girl working out next to me because every time I sucker-punched the bag I grunted out a rather loud "OOOPH!".

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"Boxing is a full body and mind workout," says Fashercise co-founder Camille Roegiers de Silva. "Not only does it marry strength with cardio and endurance, but you have to master coordination and always be alert. Doing an hour of boxing is probably the most efficient use of your time for your body and mental health."

So why has it finally hit the mainstream? Partly it's the recent explosion of accessible, more women-friendly spaces that have opened up to offer classes as well as bag time. Try getting your fix at boutique studios such as BLOK, or Another_Space in Covent Garden, which both offer HIIT-based boxing, or try Punch at Virgin Active, an invigorating class that's broken down into three-minute rounds of boxing sequences to keep you on your toes. Alternatively, the newly launched Boxx Method offers virtual workouts you can do right from the comfort of your living room (just make sure no one's nearby when you throw your left hook).

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But if you're not ready to jump in the ring just yet, Andrew suggests building up some strength during your usual gym sesh instead. "If there's a boxing bag, don't be afraid to use that - if you're putting in enough effort, you'll feel it after even two minutes on the bag! If you don't know what to do, just start with straight shots into the front of the bag. If there isn't a bag, try holding small weights and punching them out in front of you - although avoid fully extending your elbows with this one."

Finally, what to wear? "Choose pieces that have a great range of movement and aren't going to ride up or fall down at a critical moment," says designer Charli Cohen, a sportswear pro who is also a qualified PT. "But being great at boxing also relies a lot on psychology," she says, "so use what you're wearing to help get into that empowered mindset. If you feel like a badass, you're more likely to bring your A-game in the ring!"