By Shaiyann Palmore
Baltimore Watchdog Writer
Melanie Pineyro steeds out of the boxing studio to take a breather and get a drink of water.
“Now I feel like Jell-O,” she said.
Pineyro, 19, a Towson University student, is trading in the treadmill for boxing gloves.
“Instead of being like ‘ughhh I have to go to the gym,’ it makes it more exciting,” Pineyro said. “Afterwards I feel a sense of accomplishment. I’m glad I did something for myself.”
Sandy Jones, 42, is the coordinator of fitness programs at Towson University. Jones said it is important for participants to know where they are in their fitness journey before signing up for a class. Just like any other form of exercise boxing can be a strenuous activity, she said.
“If you are a beginner or have limitations, come early and let the instructor know so they can make accommodations throughout the class,” Jones said. “If you don’t know if you can make it through just do the first half, the next week add five minutes, and keep adding each week.”
Some studios have classes divided by level while others challenge all fitness levels at once. Both class styles incorporate a variation of moves to instill the basic boxing techniques in participants. This includes moves such as jab, uppercut and hook.
“Physically it’s a cardiovascular workout. It’s going to work on your endurance and your fitness,” Jones said. “There’s a strength component and almost every move involves the core without ever doing a sit up or a crunch.”
Boxing is widely known as a professional sport, said Marvin McDowell, 62, a retired boxer. However, it can be beneficial for people at all fitness levels, he said.
“You’re guaranteed to lose the weight you need to lose because you’re moving every muscle,” McDowell said.
Boxing influences mental and emotional health as well, Jones said. As you exercise the body releases positive endorphins which can improve a person’s overall well-being making you less stressed and happier, she said.
“It lets you release pent up anger because you’re literally punching a bag,” Jones said.
The mental benefits of boxing go beyond feelings of relief. It challenges the participant’s ability to focus McDowell said. Boxing helps people with following directions and applying the skills they’ve learned in life, he said.
“It just has so many components involved as far as life structure, discipline, camaraderie all of these characteristics you need just to get by as a person in society you can get it out of boxing,” McDowell said.
Although boxing is normally an individual, competitive sport, boxing class can feel like a team sport, Pineyro said. Participants can work together to learn the techniques and encourage each other throughout the workout she said.
“I like having a group to work with and interact,” Pineyro said. “It’s something that keeps you motivated and wanting to come back.”
The work doesn’t stop in the studio, McDowell said. To excel in boxing, it’s important to implement healthy habits at home during rest periods, he said.
“You’ve got to clean yourself up, eat right and get your rest,” McDowell said. “There’s so many things involved in it if you seriously want to be committed to it.”