What are the effects of fitness boxing?

Question

What are the usual results and effects from fitness boxing (NOT kickboxing)? I tried a class last week that I loved (we mostly did cardio and punches) and I would like to continue however, I am afraid of building up too much in my upper body. I am 5'2 and around 105 so I would ideally like to just tone up and stay lean - not build a ton of muscle or get bigger. Will this happen if I continue the boxing? Also, what exactly does the boxing work besides arms? Will it work out your total body? FYI - there is no weight lifting involved. Just cardio and punches. Thanks!

Answer 1

Boxing is more Ana Aerobic, which means you heat beat will rise to over 150 beats per minute, then you get 1 minute to recover. The harder you punch the bag the stronger you will get. If you want to stay toned use speed more than heavey punching. Keep the cardio going, no wieghts and you will turn into a lean mean fighting machine

Answer 2

you will get stronger and more toned but you won't build to much upper body. if your going to a cardio class that doesn't teach how to fight you also may pick up some bad habits in terms of boxing b/c only a real boxing gym will teach you good technique. Other than that it will just get you in good shape.

Answer 3

Depends on what your doing. Are you working in the air, or are you working to heavy bags? The former won't bulk you up too much, the latter provides resistance and will give you more muscle. How much also depends on how often your working out, and how your hitting the bag, if your hitting a bag. That's not including working mitts.

That said, you probably won't gain as much muscle as you think from a boxing class. Gaining and maintaining muscles is harder then people realize. Its a safe bet it won't make you look like the incredible Bulk.

How much of you gets worked out also depends on what your class is like, a real boxing class will be full body. A strictly cardio class may not spend enough time on the lower body.