Boxing for Better Health: The Importance of Utilising Qualified Instructors and Professional Development to Minimise Risk
In the fitness industry, boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts (MMA) have gained popularity, attracting people who seek both physical and mental benefits from these high-intensity activities.
Boxing has evolved from a combative sport into a popular fitness regime embraced by people seeking both physical, social and mental benefits. Once seen primarily as an activity reserved for professional fighters, boxing's shift into mainstream fitness was fueled by cultural icons like Rocky Balboa, which highlighted the sport’s capacity for personal growth and resilience. Today, boxing is valued for its ability to improve cardiovascular health, strength, and mental focus, making it accessible to individuals of all fitness levels. It offers a highly effective workout that can burn significant calories while enhancing overall fitness.
With its rise in popularity, the need for proper instruction has become increasingly important. Boxing, while beneficial, comes with its own set of unique risks that need to be considered by professionals and facilities that offer boxing services. A review of boxing-related emergency department presentations found that the most common injuries occurred from contact with equipment or walls due to strikes missing the bag or pads, overexertion, and unnatural movements. 3
Ensuring that instructors are qualified and continually trained is crucial to delivering safe and effective sessions. Traditional fitness qualifications, such as the Certificate III and IV in Fitness and even degrees in exercise science, do not include boxing for fitness in their foundational training. As such, they may not fully equip instructors to address the specific demands and safety concerns inherent in these combat-oriented exercises. This gap highlights the importance that specialised professional development and continuing education plays in ensuring that instructors can deliver effective and safe training to their clients.
“Qualifications in fitness or exercise science… typically focus on resistance training, aerobic conditioning, balance, and flexibility. Boxing, however, requires a unique set of motor skills and safety measures…”, writes Hays Daewoud, founder of Australian Combat & Exercise, a registered AUSactive CEC provider specialising in boxing for fitness education.
The importance of working with registered, professionally developed trainers cannot be overstated, as they ensure participants can enjoy the full health benefits of boxing without compromising safety.
The Role of Professional Development
Professional development plays a crucial role in ensuring that exercise professionals remain up to date with best practices in boxing, kickboxing, and MMA, whilst also minimising the risk to themselves and their clientele. Targeted ongoing education introduces advanced techniques and skills that complement and elevate traditional fitness qualifications, providing a deeper understanding of correct technique, equipment use, injury prevention, safety protocols and effective instructing strategies.
Without the appropriate underpinning knowledge and skills from an industry approved boxing course, incorporating boxing for fitness into gym sessions “…can be reckless and potentially harmful. It’s essential to have the right qualifications to maximise client safety and fitness benefits.” writes Hays Daewoud.
Safety Guidelines
Adhering to safety guidelines is essential when instructing boxing, kickboxing, or MMA fitness activities. According to the recently updated 2024 Safety Guideline Boxing, Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts for Fitness, several key practices must be followed to ensure the well-being of participants:
- Equipment Selection and Maintenance: The choice of equipment should match the skill level and activity being taught and all equipment must be in good condition, regularly maintained, and cleaned according to Workplace Health & Safety standards.
2. Protective Gear: The appropriate selection of protective gear is crucial. Safe use of focus pads in group training requires, as a minimum, completion of an AUSactive approved CEC program that contains specific content related to the use of focus pads.
3. Space and Setting: Training environments must be spacious enough to accommodate movement and equipment use, with safe flooring or ground surfaces. Proper positioning of instructors and equipment is essential to prevent accidents and ensure effective technique delivery.
4. Programming and Technique: Proper hand wrapping, correct stances, and impact management are vital components of safe practice. The biomechanics of each skill must be taught and corrected to prevent injury.
5. Risk Management: Implementing effective risk management strategies is crucial. This includes conducting pre-exercise health screenings such as the Adult Pre-Exercise Screening System (APSS) to identify any potential health issues that could affect participation and safety.
To review all the recommendations in the guideline, please visit Safety Guideline Boxing, Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts for Fitness or AUSactive members can access the guideline through their AUSactive dashboard.
Final Thoughts
Hays believes that professional development is integral to maintaining safe boxing practices and ensuring that exercise professionals are well-prepared to manage the unique demands of boxing, kickboxing, and MMA fitness activities. “Boxing offers incredible physical and mental benefits, but it must be taught correctly to ensure both safety and effectiveness.”
By engaging in ongoing education and adhering to established safety guidelines, instructors can mitigate risks, enhance their teaching techniques, and provide a safe and effective experience for their clients.
To find a qualified exercise professional who possesses the necessary delivery knowledge and skills in boxing and martial arts for fitness, visit the Australian Register of Active Health Professionals. The register provides detailed information about an exercise professional and active health professional's qualifications and areas of expertise, helping you make an informed choice when selecting a trainer or coach.
AUSactive members can access a range of high-quality boxing for fitness professional development opportunities by visiting the Continuing Education Directory.
Authors Michelle Healey & Lucas Dickson (Industry Standards and Development team, AUSactive)
Recognition
AUSactive would like to thank Hays Daewoud for his expert contribution to this article.
About Hays
Hays Daewoud is the Founder and CEO of ACE Martial Arts Academy. With 35 years of martial arts experience, Hays was inspired to enhance boxing training after witnessing unsafe practices in the industry. Partnering with sports scientist Dr. Luke Del Vecchio, he created ACE’s Boxing Skills & Fitness course, emphasising technique and progression. He has since expanded ACE’s offerings to include a range of boxing and strength conditioning courses, as well as online continuing education courses. Trained by renowned boxers like Mick Spinks and Hussy Hussein, Hays actively refines his practice and presents seminars both nationally and internationally in the health and fitness sectors.
https://www.instagram.com/acexercise/?hl=en
References
- Ciaccioni S, Castro O, Bahrami F, Tomporowski P.D, Capranica L, Biddle S, Vergeer I & Pesce C. (2024). Martial arts, combat sports, and mental health in adults: A systematic review. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1469029223001802
- ABC News (2019). The benefits of fitness boxing and how to get started. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-12/fitness-boxing-benefits-how-to-get-started/113306
- Gray SE, Finch CF (2015). The causes of injuries sustained at fitness facilities presenting to Victorian emergency departments – identifying the main culprits. Injury Epidemiology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27747738/
