Boxing is often seen as a men’s sport because it is combative and feels aggressive and brutal. Surprising as it may sound, boxing is actually an exciting sport from which women can also benefit.
NKA aka Tartu Naiste Kickpoksi Akadeemia (Tartu Women Kickboxing Academy) trainer Boris Adelmaa says anyone who thinks boxing is not for women is probably still using a landline phone! According to him, boxing is not only a very effective physical fitness enhancer, but it also has a positive effect on the mind.
Step-by-step to greatness
Boris Adelmaa says that good physical fitness is definitely an advantage when starting out in combat sports, but Thai boxing and kickboxing, for example, are also well suited to beginners with poor physical fitness.
“The proverb fits well: “You can go a long way in a smooth row”, which is true for any sport,” Adelmaa points out. He explains that by starting slowly and gradually moving up, you will reach a more distant goal. The first thing to do is to find a qualified coach who understands the goals of the athlete and can design a suitable training plan (if you plan to do personal training). However, if you are planning to train in a group, it is important to find a training group with similar beginners. This will help to create a supportive environment where you can teach, learn and develop at your own pace.
According to Adelmaa, which boxing style a beginner should choose depends on individual preferences and conditions. For example, it may be more comfortable to start training where friends are already going, as acquaintances create a supportive environment.
“When it comes to styles with a strong emphasis on hand-to-hand combat, my personal rating is made up of hand-to-hand combat disciplines and I rate them for versatility,” Adelmaa outlines his recommendations.
- Thai boxing or Muay Thai – the most effective and versatile form of hand-to-hand combat. The arsenal includes legs, knees, arms and elbows. In addition, hand-to-hand combat in the clinch.
- Kickboxing – a very dynamic and effective sport with an arsenal of kicks to the arms, legs and knees.
- Classical boxing – punches with hands only.
Sparring is not mandatory
For many who would like to try boxing, the idea of sparring, or at some point having to face another person instead of a boxing bag, is a terrifying prospect. Boris Adelmaa, however, points out that for most of those involved in combat sports, this is actually a natural progression.
He explains that in each of the martial arts areas previously mentioned in the rankings (Thai, kickboxing and classical boxing), there are three main strands. The first is professional sport, or day-to-day work, which makes the bank. The second is amateur sport, where the aim is to win titles (such as Estonian, European or world champion). This is also hard work. The third is commercial sport, where the average person goes about his or her daily business and, in between, goes to the gym to pay for training. Everybody usually starts in commercial sport. You come to the gym, you do exercises on a boxing bag, on paws, with a partner without sparring and to stay at that level is perfectly normal. However, some athletes want to test themselves at a certain level and spar to see how they can really box. This is also a very natural reaction, regardless of gender.
“When a person is ready and wants to try sparring, the most important goal for the coach is to do everything possible to make the athlete’s first experience a positive one. It’s important to gradually increase the intensity and difficulty,” says Adelmaa. He adds that, moving forward, a coach may wish to remain at the level of a commercial athlete or move into the ranks of competitive athletes, either amateur or professional, where sparring is an integral part of the training process. Sparring simulates a real competitive situation and helps to identify errors and technical deficiencies that may go unnoticed in the training process. Thus, sparring is not always linked to boxing and boxing is not always linked to sparring. It all depends on your goals and ambitions.
Helps to release emotion
There is no doubt that boxing makes you physically stronger, but how and if at all does it affect your head or psyche? “I dare to say that I think that combat sports are the best choice for people who show symptoms of burnout, depression or anxiety disorders,” says Boris Adelmaa.
Boxing, he says, helps to release pent-up emotions and prevents them from petrifying. Boxing also tones up the spinal nerves and the nervous system in general, which reduces stress and improves general well-being.
“In addition, coming to the gym despite bad weather or a sore leg and being able to complete the workout gives you a sense of satisfaction that promotes the release of important hormones such as dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins,” says Adelmaa, highlighting how boxing and exercise in general can help you feel happy, energetic and healthy.
Let’s bust the myths aka boxing is like chess where every move counts
There have been some misconceptions around boxing from time to time. So that the myths don’t get in the way of what is in fact a fierce sport, NKA boxing trainer Boris Adelmaa debunks some of the most common beliefs.
- Boxing is violent and boxers are aggressive outside the boxing ring too
A true athlete, on the contrary, is very calm and confident. The first basic rule that competent coaches explain is that the techniques learned in training are not used in everyday life to prove something to others. Self-defence is, of course, a separate issue. In addition, a boxer who has been training for, say, 1.5 hours is so physically and emotionally drained after training that he simply cannot and does not bother to be aggressive. Often the aggressive people are the ones who have unresolved emotional issues that can spill out onto the wrong target. So aggression is more a sign of insecurity, not something to react to. The real power lies in the fact that you have the opportunity to show your superiority, but you don’t do it.
- Boxing is for men only
If someone thinks that boxing is only for men, they’re probably still using a landline phone. To deny that women can box is rather to show a lack of understanding of the modern world and gender equality. The doors of every gym should be open to all. The level at which one engages in the sport is rather a matter of personal choice.
- Boxing will only train your arms
Since we are talking about Thai boxing and kickboxing, I can safely say that almost every muscle in the body is trained, to varying degrees. Strong legs are our foundation, a strong body is our fortress.
- The stronger you are or the harder you punch, the better you’ll do in boxing.
Punching power is important, of course, but it’s not everything in boxing. Strength can help, but it may not save you. Anyone who relies solely on strength will sooner or later meet an opponent who is technically stronger, smarter, faster. A true champion combines strength with skill, stamina and mental capacity in the boxing ring. If a boxer relies only on his strength, he risks losing to a smarter opponent who can anticipate his moves, avoid strong punches and punish mistakes. Boxing is chess, where every move counts. It’s not just about how you hit, but when and where you hit. So in order to dominate in the boxing ring, you need to work on all aspects from punching power to speed, technique, tactics and psychological preparation.
Find a suiting boxing class on Stebby HERE. For over 9,000 ways to evaluate your health and improve your wellbeing, and ideas for active activities, visit Stebby HERE.
