Boxing is my favorite sport and it offers great
cardio to help you lose weight and
develop a great body including 6 pack abs. Relieve stress and eliminate
unwanted body fat with these boxing-inspired moves from Crunch NYC instructor
Christy Nacinovich. (These exercises are based on her new Sucker Punch Class.)
For a maximum workout from head to toe, pick a move
for the arms and shoulders, a move for the abs and back, and a move for the
legs and butt, then perform two sets
of each move three to four times per
week.
Arms
& Shoulders: Back Fist
Start off with your knees bent slightly, feet in
fighter’s stance (put your left foot forward), elbows bent; bring right foot
near face. Twist at waist to the right, bringing left fist to the right and
down, straightening left arm.
Arms
& Shoulders: Pike Push Up
Start
this workout in the push up position with your hands in a wide diamond (fingers
pointing toward each other).
Bend your waist, lifting hips up and coming onto
toes, (walk them in a bit if necessary) so body forms an upside-down “V”. Bend
elbows to lower head towards hands.
Press your back up; perform 10 reps.
Abs
& Back; Knee Strike
Stand
with your knees slightly bent, feet in fighter’s position (left foot forward).
Raise your arms up and left as if you are grabbing something.
Engage core muscles and pull hands down as you bend
your right knee and lift up to meet them. Resume to previous position, tapping
right toes to the floor. Perform ten
reps then switch sides and repeat.
Abs
& Back: Sit Up and Punch
Lie
flat down with knees bent, feet on floor, fists up. Engage core and round up
slowly; at top, jab right arm out, retract, jab left. Roll back down.
Perform 10
reps (each side) each of jabs, upper cuts (punching up), and hooks
(punching around the sides).
Legs
& Butt: Back Kick
Stand
with your feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, fists up. Lift left foot,
bend knee, and lift thigh parallel to floor; look over left shoulder. Hinge
forward, kicking leg left straight back. Return to original position.
Perform 10
reps; repeat on opposite side.
Legs
& Butt: Crescent Kick
Stand
with your feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, fists up. Twist at waist,
lifting left leg to point toes to the right. Kick up and over toward the left
in a half-moon shape.
Lower left leg to tap left toes, then raise it again
and kick it up and over to the right; that is 1 rep. Perform 10 reps,
then switch sides and repeat. For a better challenge, do kicks over the back of
a chair.
These are some great boxing exercises you can do 3-4
times per week for at least 30 minutes a day to stay in shape. You will also
learn some new fighting techniques to defend yourself and that amazing body
that people are jealous of. Along with these awesome exercises, make sure you
eat a balanced diet every day for maximum results and long term weight loss
benefits. I would like to wish everyone a Happy
New Year and make weight loss a top
priority this year!