Can Boxing-Based Fitness Benefit Runners?

If you’ve seen the Rocky series or other boxing movies, you may notice that there’s quite a bit of running in every training montage. Whether up and down marble steps, stadium bleachers, or even alongside railway tracks, it’s been a staple of these types of films for decades.

We assume it’s to keep boxing films accurate since running has always been a great way for boxers to train. Often called “roadwork” by professionals, boxers use running to improve strength, speed, endurance, and overall aerobic abilities.

Running is great for boxers, but can boxers also benefit from running? The answer to that question is yes! In fact, RockBox Fitnesssees runners come into our fitness studios daily to trade their sneakers for boxing gloves a few times a week. Boxing can help runners reap all the rewards of boxing and push them to become better runners.

How is Boxing Beneficial to Runners?

Participating in shadowboxing, sparring, and other boxing training two to three times a week can be great for runners with all kinds of backgrounds. Boxing is one of the best types of cross-training runners can complete because:

Boxing is a Full-Body Workout

As a runner, you know that your core is important in stabilizing your body and giving you the energy to run the distance and speed you want to. Boxing is a great way to work out your entire body and strengthen your core, from your abs to your back to your hips.

It’s hard to find an activity that works every part of your body like fitness-based boxing can and does for so many runners!

Boxing Improves Your Strength

Boxing is a great way to improve your strength! Even if building muscle in your arms, chest, and the rest of your upper body isn’t your main goal, your legs will see plenty of action and effective strength training by just mastering the basics of boxing.

Runners may also enjoy kickboxing if they want to get even more out of their boxing cross-training. As the name suggests, legs are a primary focus. Kickboxing offers a unique way of training every muscle on and around the legs.

Boxing is Great Cardio Exercise

If you’re worried that boxing will get you off-track your normal cardio training schedule or not be as effective as just running, don’t sweat it – you’ll need it. Fitness boxing is a great cardiovascular exercise that can get your heart pumping and provide several other heart health benefits.

Boxing Improves Your Footwork

Boxing relies heavily on footwork. Front, back, lateral steps, pivots, and quick shuffles are all important to getting yourself out of the way of opponent swings and putting yourself in a good spot to take a swing yourself.

For runners, the extra emphasis boxing puts on footwork is excellent conditioning and gives athletes a chance to fine-tune their leg and foot control.

Boxing Can Help Your Mental Health

Regardless of what you have going on in your life, there’s a good chance that you’ve used running a few times to help you relieve some stress and achieve a mental clarity you couldn’t reach before your run.

Boxing is also a great way to release stress, frustrations, and other pent-up emotions in a safe and productive environment. Research has even been done on the matter. It’s shown that boxing has even been successful in decreasing feelings of depression and anxiety, among other mental health benefits.

RockBox Can Help You Train Like a Boxer

If you’ve never tried boxing before, don’t stress – RockBox Fitness’s boxing classes will help you learn the basics, including proper hand-wrapping techniques, stances, and more, so you can get the most out of your boxing training sessions.

We even offer nutrition guidance, one-on-one coaching sessions, and whole-body transformation programs, giving you everything you need to train like a boxer and see results.

Ready to train like a boxer? Find your nearby RockBox Fitness location and reach out to get started!