With women worldwide standing up to demand their rightful place, boxing has become an empowering sport for many women to participate in. Not only does it let them forget about the pressures of their daily lives and focus on themselves for once, but it also gives them confidence in themselves and provides an outlet to let out their frustrations when needed. Women boxers learn to stand their ground in the ring, to hold their own and fight for what they believe in—to be the best person they can be, no matter what anyone else thinks or says about them. These benefits of boxing extend far beyond the ring, too; even if you never step inside one yourself, training as a boxer teaches you valuable skills that you can apply to your everyday life and use to accomplish anything you set your mind to. We discuss how the sport of boxing can empower women across the globe.
The rise of Female Combat Athletes encourages Women to take boxing as a Sport Women are now making headlines for their boxing performances at amateur and professional levels; that is long overdue. Women were officially banned from competing in Olympic boxing as recently as 2012. Now, it seems, women’s participation in all facets of the sport of boxing has been ushered into a new era where equality prevails. Women are unleashing their inner fighters by getting involved in combative sports such as martial arts or combat roles in modern military activities.
Psychological Benefits of Boxing for Women
The idea of empowerment is deeply rooted in psychology. When you’re in a supportive environment, surrounded by people who respect and care about you, you can develop more confidence and empowerment to take on challenges. Many psychologists believe that most feelings of helplessness stem from powerlessness; if we don’t feel we have any control over our lives or environments, we may feel out of control at work and home. Feeling empowered not only helps us lead happier lives, but it makes us better leaders as well.
Physical Benefits of Boxing for Women
Your mind and body are linked, so you cannot separate one from another. Because of that, physical exercise is inherently empowering. Your core muscles work efficiently during a sparring session or while hitting the punching bag. Boxing needs quick movements, which causes your breathing and heart rate to increase. This gradually improves your stamina and endurance. Not only does it give you a healthy body to live in, but it gives you a strong body with which to take on life’s challenges. If you’re looking for empowerment and confidence, you have to begin by giving your body what it needs: regular physical activity and fitness training!
Managing Stress Benefits of Boxing for Women
While you might think of boxing as a martial art, hitting heavy bags also makes for an excellent cardiovascular workout. Not only will your body be burning calories, but your brain will be, too, which can help keep stress levels low. Plus, getting in shape helps combat some of boxing’s psychological effects: One study found that boxers who trained often had fewer ruminative thoughts—meaning they spend less time dwelling on bad memories or stressful events than their non-boxing counterparts. Because boxing boosts strength, endurance, and self-confidence, many people find it easier to stick to other healthy behaviors.
Social Benefits of Boxing for Women
In 2016, about 1.4 million women boxed for recreational purposes, and another 475,000 boxed as part of their fitness program. Any sport that gets that many women off their couches and onto a mat or into a ring is likely to be social—that is, one reason many women start boxing is that they enjoy spending time with friends who do it. Beyond meeting new people, boxing allows female athletes to hang out and spend time with other physically fit women. Social bonding is essential to forming a community around any endeavor; social support can help get you up when you’re down or struggling to maintain your routine, prevent isolation caused by injury or burnout, and make things fun!
Self-defence Benefits of Boxing for Women
Self-defence has become an essential tool for women these days. Taking boxing as a sport to hone your skills in protecting yourself gives you an edge in real-life situations. In addition, the approach to experiencing something new and that too without fear will provide you with a boost in confidence. Nothing is more powerful for a woman than believing in herself and knowing that she can pull herself out of any dangerous circumstance.
