Stephanie Claire Smith’s Boxing Routine

Model Stephanie Claire Smith, 23, knows the importance of having a good fitness routine. Her workout of choice? Boxing. “Boxing reduces stress, anxiety and your waistline,” she says.

Smith says: Boxing is my new exercise obsession. It has mentally and physically changed my life and has made its mark in my exercise routine as ‘my favourite kind of workout’. Not only is it ridiculously fun, it delivers serious results that can transform how you look and feel.

I joined a boxing gym earlier this year when I wanted to mix up my exercise routine. I had always wanted to give boxing a go, and from the very first punch, I was hooked. It works your whole body and shreds your core like nothing else. Plus, all of that punching, skipping and dodging require a lot of energy, which means your burning fat, fast.

It’s one of those exercises that you feel a little funny doing at first, but quickly get hooked because you can see and feel an improvement in your coordination pretty quickly. The feeling I get after every session, being puffed, sweaty, and feeling strong is definitely what’s addictive about it.

Keep It Cleaner, my new online health and wellness program (which I created with Laura Henshaw) includes weekly boxing sessions to help women get strong, fit and confident. So, if you’re new to boxing, Keep It Cleaner will teach you some fun moves and combos in sweaty 20-minute sessions, and all online! Either at home or you can even follow the workouts in the gym.

Here are some of my fave combos that you can do alone or with your workout buddy (or shadow-box by yourself!):

1. Jab cross

Begin with your feet hip-width apart and opposite leg forward. To jab, throw a punch with the lead hand from the guard position with your fist rotating to become horizontal. As the punch reaches full extension, the lead shoulder can be brought up to guard the chin, while the rear hand remains next to the face to guard your jaw. Then to cross, throw a straight punch across your body originating from your strongest hand (rear hand).

Hooked on a feeling: Boxing and its benefits

2. Jab Cross Slip cross

Go the distance with this combo. Begin with your opposite foot forward. Repeat the jab cross move (above). Then to slip, transfer the weight from one leg to the other while subtly moving your upper body to avoid the opponent’s punch. Finish this combo with another cross.

3. Jab, cross, left hook, right uppercut

This combo introduces the hook and uppercut and requires a little more coordination. Begin in fighter’s stance and throw a jab-cross (same as combo 1 and 2). To add a hook, shift your body weight to your lead foot, pivot and use the power from your hip and torso to swing your fist horizontally towards your opponent. Then to throw an uppercut, start with your left elbow against your ribs and your knuckles turned up, then punch upwards as if you’re punching someone under the chin. Keeping your core tight, pull back as you bend your knees, sitting back on your heels.

“Boxing reduces stress, anxiety and your waistline,” says Smith.

4. Shadow boxing with dumbbells 

Begin with your feet hip-width apart and opposite leg forward. Hold weights at chest height with elbows bent and palms facing each other. Extend your left arm across your body until the weight is in line with your right shoulder – your thumb should be facing down with your arms parallel to the ground. As you return to the start, repeat with the right arm. This combo will get your heart rate up quicker than you can say, “Ka-POW!”

Keep It Cleaner is an online health, lifestyle and wellness program aimed to motivate girls to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For more information head over to www.kicgirls.com

Marielle Punzal

Contributor

Marielle is a lover of all things fashion and beauty, and is usually seen with a coffee in one hand and makeup swatches in the other.

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