5 Steps for University Students
Boxing is one of the best sports you can start practicing at university. It doesn’t require a huge investment in equipment. It’s not a team sport, so you’re not forced to bond with anyone that you don’t like. That’s why boxing is perfect for introverts. The sport also serves as an anger outlet. Let’s be honest: you’ll accumulate a lot of anger dealing with classes, exams, assignments, complicated relationships, and budgeting issues.
Boxing is a great way to build physical stamina and burn calories. Training will keep you in shape, and it will make you feel strong enough to face any challenge you come across.
There’s a misconception that training should start from a very young age, from 8 to 12 years. However, there is no age limit for recreational boxing. You can start now. But how do you fit the sport into your responsibilities at university?
5 Steps for University Students
1. Get Your Equipment
If you’re training solo, you need a few pieces of equipment for this sport:
– Bag gloves
– Hand wraps
– A heavy bag
– A skipping rope
For beginners, solo training is a good start. When you’re ready to start training with a partner, you’ll need to invest in a few other pieces:
– Groin and chest protector
– Sparring gloves
– Mouth guard
Boxing boots are not mandatory for beginners, but they are definitely useful.
It’s not a short list, and some of the items are expensive. However, they are quite durable. You’ll use them for years.
If you join a club, you can rent gloves and you won’t need your own heavy bag.
2. Find a Local Boxing Club
Use this club finder tool to locate a club in your university’s area. There are plenty of boxing clubs all across the UK. It won’t be hard for you to find one that accepts beginners of all ages.
Becoming a member of a club will cost you a monthly membership. However, it’s easier to stay motivated when you mix with people with the same interest. You’ll have access to coaches and peers, who will teach you a few skills and offer opportunities for sparring. You’ll become more dedicated to the sport when you become part of a community.
3. Arrange Your Schedule
We’re not going to lie: becoming good in boxing requires time, dedication, and consistent training. Sure; you can have the occasional session with the heavy bag. But if you want to get good at the sport and really feel its mental and physical benefits, you should practice it daily.
A student’s schedule rarely leaves space for a new hobby. You probably have a job to cover your expenses, and you have to attend classes and write papers. Many students get help with their thesis by EduBirdie, since they cannot cope with all responsibilities. But there is a way to fit an additional activity into your schedule.
You might need to sacrifice a few social events and study late in the evening. The rewarding feeling you get out of boxing is well worth the effort.
4. Start with the Basics
When you’re ready to start training, you should start from the foundation. You’ll learn how to maintain the basic boxing stance, which allows you to easily attack and defend. Then, you’ll continue with basic footwork. It will seem like a silly exercise at first, but it’s essential for your success.
When you know how to hold your stance and move your legs, you’ll proceed with boxing punches. This is the exciting part!
5. Work on Consistent Improvement
The greatest thing about boxing is that there’s no maximum to what you can achieve. No matter how good you get, you can become better with practice.
Choose a few study organization apps that let you make boxing a consistent part of your life without sacrificing your success at university. With daily practice, you’ll turn the sport into a lifestyle.
Be Present
Boxing improves your focus… A LOT! Throughout your training, you’ll need to stay 100% focused. You’ll remember all kinds of combinations and you’ll focus on predicting your opponent’s moves. Boxing absorbs you, both physically and mentally. With consistent practice, you’ll learn how to transfer that state of focus to all other activities. Your mind will be prepared for classes and studying, too.
Should we even mention the emotional outlet? It’s the best way to decompress after a stressful day of classes and studying.
The author of this article, Jeremy Raynolds, has been boxing for seven years and still feels like a complete beginner. He fell in love with the sport when he was looking for ways to improve his focus. He realized that boxing made him a better student.