Advertisement

Dangerous boxing?

Got a health or fitness question for Times reporters? Here's your chance. We'll take the best questions and post the answers.

Send Your Question Now
- Feet turning out during a workout? Proper shoes or orthotics can help
Share

I would like to exercise more for obvious health reasons and as an outlet for useless aggression. I run but it’s boring. I am trying to find a running buddy to guilt-trip me when I get lazy, and vice versa. Could you recommend a program that doesn’t involve an expensive gym and that is highly aerobic? I am considering boxing, but friends warn me that it’s dangerous. Thank you.

Punch-Sober, Florida

****

An aerobic program is an integral part of any exercise regimen because it strengthens the heart, burns calories and, in some cases, promotes bone density. But, like you, many people loathe the gym atmosphere or get bored taking classes or working out on cardio machines.

Running with a buddy is an excellent idea. You can guilt-trip each other to stay on track, as well as foster friendly competition. However, there are some inherent problems with relying on one person - he or she can move, change workout schedules, be sidetracked by illness or just lose interest. An alternative is finding a whole group of people with which to run. Most towns have running clubs, and you can usually find them through athletic shoe and equipment stores or parks and recreation programs. Local marathons often have training groups where you can run with people at your level. A substantive program will offer more than just running - it might include sprint drills, hill runs and other types of training to stave off boredom.

Advertisement

Other non-gym aerobic activities offering varying degrees of intensity include cycling (road or mountain), in-line skating, ice skating, rowing, tennis, swimming, capoeira* (a form of Brazilian martial arts that also combines dance, music and acrobatics), basketball, soccer, hiking and speed walking.

Boxing also offers excellent benefits, both aerobic and strength-wise. It can be dangerous if you get into the ring to spar and don’t have proper training or appropriate safety gear, and/or are paired with someone much better than you, possibly resulting in a broken nose, split lip or bruised ribs.

However, you don’t have to set foot in a ring to benefit from boxing. The training alone is quite the workout, whether you’re pounding away at a heavy bag, jumping rope, or keeping the rhythm on a speed bag. And it’s a great way to get out aggression.Good trainers put a priority on safety, so even if you do decide to up the ante and start sparring, chances are you can avoid getting cauliflower ears.

- Jeannine Stein

Advertisement