Five Things They Don’t Tell You About Boxing//Legends Boxing

With my hands tightly wrapped, (Are they supposed to be this tight?) I stood waiting to see what would happen next. Honestly, I felt unworthy being there. Was I really in a boxing gym? Whatever excitement I had before I walked in, quickly turned into doubts about myself and physical abilities as I struggled to keep up with my “trial workout”. I knew I was out of shape, but this workout (“trial workout”) was putting a huge magnifying glass on my lack.

Unlike other gyms I’d been to (where I felt like I was walking into a grocery meat section on elliptical machines), there was a realness about Legends, an intensity that was no-nonsense. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly, but seeing them go through the workout, so in shape, was intimidating for me. Not to mention the actual sport is so intense it made my heart beat out of my chest just looking into the ring.

Looking back to the insecure girl I was on day one, boxing has become an almost spiritual experience for me. It’s grounded me, humbled me and given me so much confidence, here’s what I can say I’ve learned about boxing that no one ever told me:

Patience  

It is impossible to get good at anything without practice. I used to think I was working out when I went to the gym, ran for 25 min and tried to use a few machines after, umm no. Boxing will test your patience on so many levels. You won’t be good at it right away, you’ll probably suck at it, like REALLY bad. You’ll make mistakes and feel overwhelmed with how much you have to do all at once. It’s okay, you’ll get better. JUST. KEEP. GOING.Discipline

Legends puts you through workouts as if you’re training to fight in the ring, there’s no “half-a$$” version. 90% of the people that workout there probably have no desire to get in the ring, still they are some of the most fit/athletic people I’ve seen at any gym. Disciple comes as you go back again and again, build strength, speed and skills. Boxing has a way of “weeding” weak people out, this is a hard-core workout, just know your mind is much weaker than your body.

If you can handle the training for boxing, you can become anything you want, every other workout I’d ever done before this was easy in comparison.

Comradery 

It never gets easier. You get faster, stronger, more powerful and you push yourself a bit further every day. That effort is made so much easier by the encouragement of other boxers and your coaches. Cheers and shouts from your fellow boxers and coach help you dig deeper, and find the power to go that last 15 seconds. And you’ll find yourself returning the gesture. Boxing makes you feel like you’re in it together (even though its a very personal experience). Praise, support and encouragement are quickly given and received and I live for the comradery at my gym.

 Balance

It took me a while to learn this lesson (read all about my mommy guilt struggle), but finding the right balance between gym time and my other life/family obligations was a hard lesson for me at first. It sounds stupid, but once I started giving myself permission to go to the gym (even if there were dishes in the sink), I didn’t feel like “I had too much to do” keeping me out of the gym. Boxing is an outlet and a stress reliever, but it helps me feel centered (and also very sore). Confidence

Yes, losing 60 pounds has made me more confident about my physical appearance. But being about to do things physically that I’ve never been able to do before, (like boxing other people in the ring), has given me more confidence than anything I’ve ever done. Looking back at how weak I was my first month, and now seeing that I can do more push-ups than most men, has given me more confidence than any dress size ever will.
Pretty impressive huh?
If you live in Utah and you’ve been looking into boxing call Legends Boxing, mention this post or Housewife2Hostess blog, and receive a free pair of hand wraps with your FREE trial workout. Call and talk to Chaise 801.768.4000 to schedule.

Also, a fun fact… You know how they say “location is everything”? Legends is right next to the Lehi Roller Mills! You know, where Kevin Bacon saved the town from the anti-dance laws and brings dancing back?!

Whether you’re wanting to try something new, push yourself further than you ever have before, or maybe you just want to punch something… Try boxing. It might blow your mind and teach you all kinds of new things about yourself.