Beyond the Ring: The Role of Education in Safe Boxing for Fitness.

Boxing is a fantastic exercise modality for the general public, offering numerous benefits such as improved mental health, mindfulness, cognitive enhancement, cardiovascular health, strength, and skill acquisition. However, proper education and training are essential before working with both the general population and special populations.?

Whether you're a new or experienced certified personal trainer, a seasoned combat athlete, or a boxing enthusiast, teaching boxing for fitness to the general public requires proper education and training.

Competing at professional or amateur levels in combat sports like boxing or kickboxing does not automatically qualify you to coach the general population.

For example, a bodybuilding competitor who has successfully lost body fat is not necessarily qualified to provide nutrition and dietary advice for the general public.?

Understanding some basic principles of movement, physiology, safety protocols, and how to effectively coach clients through a structured progression system is crucial for ensuring client safety and maximising benefits.

It is your duty of care to ensure that no one gets injured. We’ve received many reports of people sustaining serious injuries, some even being career-ending. This could've been avoided with the correct boxing education.?

What works for an experienced combat athlete may not necessarily suit the general public or someone who has never exercised.

Qualifications in fitness and exercise science at universities typically do not include boxing. These programs focus on conventional exercise prescriptions, such as resistance training, aerobic training, fall prevention, balance, and flexibility training. Boxing requires unique motor skills and is outside the standard scope of practice for these qualifications.

Teaching boxing safely involves understanding how to progress and regress clients through complex movements. Trainers must also know how to maintain safety during sessions to avoid injuries.

A trainer who coaches boxing for fitness must understand and confidently coach the following:

• Use appropriate coaching cues: Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic.
• Progress and regress punches, footwork, shadow boxing, and reaction drills.
• Program both one-on-one and group sessions.
• Teach proper hand-wrapping techniques.
• Ensure safe pad holding and the use of alternative striking tools.
• Safely use boxing bags and other equipment.

Adding boxing to your services or gym timetable without proper education is reckless and unsafe. The right education is essential to protect clients and maximise their benefits.

Boxing offers many benefits but must be taught correctly to ensure safety and effectiveness. Trainers, gyms, and athletes should complete proper education programs to be fully prepared to teach boxing to the public. This way, they can deliver safe, engaging sessions that improve their clients' health and fitness.

For expert-led Boxing education, see our Boxing CS3 Courses.

Australian Combat & Exercise

Dr. Luke Del Vecchio , Ziad Zakharia , Lauren Green , Katherine Plangetis James Copp Michael Chrysanthou David Barker Yolanda Daewoud