Sweet science can add to a fit lifestyle!
You don’t have to be a professional boxer to reap the benefits of the sweet science.
Boxing, arguably one of the most popular forms of exercise out there, continues to gain new fans who choose the sport to stay in shape.
At this weekend’s IDEA World Fitness Convention, boxing was represented all around the venue at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown L.A. Boxing buff Mario Lopez was even at a special awards kickoff show welcoming more than 5,000 attendees, exhibitors and companies from all over the world.
Attending the annual expo with some boxing trainers and fitness instructors from my local gym, I got the chance to see the latest in fitness equipment and innovative workout wear, meet industry experts, and take part in exercise demos too.
Many of the new and current classes already incorporate boxing into its regimen, often adding jumprope and shadowboxing into the routines. There’s also a huge craze right now with “Piloxing”–a tough workout that combines both boxing and Pilates.
With a steady crowd of attendees roaming the halls, the fitness fair offered five days of workshops and seminars, meet-and-greets with pioneers in the sports world, and hundreds of booths offering diet and nutrition samples.
There was also a fun picture booth where participants could lace up in big red gloves and a boxing medal for a photo op as “Champion for a Day.”
Held across the street from the L.A. LIVE entertainment complex, many conventioneers could take a break outside to catch the action of a 3 on 3 basketball tournament that was coinciding with the huge fitness convention. Golden Boy’s popular “Fight Night Club” was also featured in the rows of exhibitors across from Staples Center. They had prize raffles for autographed boxing gloves and tickets to their upcoming August 26 show at Club Nokia.
Back in the show, I had a great time meeting the many fitness fans from across the U.S. I spent some time visiting a cool booth with mini trampolines that encourages core training, strength, and stamina that could only enhance a boxer’s conditioning. They hosted a 30-30-20 competition involving the trampoline, medicine ball and tricep pushups. It was so much fun I tried it twice.
And while the trade show was attended by both men and women, it was the chicks who were kicking butt during many of the tough fitness challenges showcased! With cut abs and well-defined biceps, this was a great group of female warriors stayin’ fit and strong.
Never underestimate “Girl Power.”
These women have such low percentages of body fat, they make me want to put down the ice cream spoon and pick up the weights more often!
If you want more proof, check out these snapshots from the day.
Keep punching, girls!
Photos by Michele Chong