Looking for a workout to burn major calories, sculpt your upper and lower body, and slash stress? Then it’s time you give boxing a try for a one-stop sweat that will leave you feeling good from the inside out. In fact, thanks to the high-intensity interval training (HIIT) aspect of boxing, you’re likely to feel happier after a workout. Research published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology found that HIIT workouts trigger more opioid release (aka, endorphins) than other types of workouts.
Even if you don’t have a punching bag or belong to a boxing studio yet, you can do your own killer boxing workout at home without any equipment at all. Try this six-move plan from Miami-based trainer Christa DiPaolo, creator of Boxing & Bubbles for a hard-hitting routine that will get your heart rate up and your aggression out.
This routine is also great for a beginner who isn’t quite ready to beat up a bag (once you are ready make sure to protect your hands with a pair of quickwraps). But no matter what fitness level you are, this plan is fun and effective. So let’s get started: You’ll do each move for about one minute with a 20-30 second rest in between moves. Repeat the entire circuit for two rounds for a full-body fighting workout.