Initially, I was hesitant to try boxing as a form of exercise. I thought it was mostly a hobby for me, a bit gruesome and unbalanced in that it mostly focused on the upper body. Therefore, I stuck to cross-training and running. I was wrong, though; the sport is more than television portrays it to be. It goes beyond throwing punches — it’s a sweaty combination of cardio and strength, making you perspire at a faster rate than most moderate HITT workouts. I’ve learned punching doesn’t just come from the shoulders; it involves the entire body, utilizing the lower half as the source of power and the core to mobilize the stance.

Over the past few weeks, I noticed an improvement in my overall balance and body composition, something that has been a struggle for me due to a series of foot injuries. Balance is my weakest fitness component, but boxing seems to have a lower impact on my foot, allowing me to push through it and work toward securing more full-body stability.

Waking up at 5 a.m. to box has become an aid to my anxiety and heightened my mood, allowing me to release a little bit of fire. I am thankful my friend Helin introduced me to Uppercut Boxing in Sarasota, Florida. A locally owned gym operated by retired boxer Aaron Jaco, he’s one of the best trainers I have encountered in a long time. The class is structured so you get both circuit and boxing training along with a portion of one-on-one time. I am now addicted to the hobby and go several times a week to kick-start my day.

If you are looking to spice up your current workout routine, I highly recommend searching for a local boxing gym and giving it a trial run. You might be surprised how much bottled-up power you have. If you plan a trip to Florida’s Gulf Coast, I highly recommend dropping by Uppercut and seeing where I hit it off.

— Christyn Pek, business development executive