Have you ever fought for your life? In the past couple of years, there has been a growing interest in combat sports, and Bali is no exception. Although boxing wasn’t always that popular, many people have now implemented this sport into their lifestyle, as it appears to be good for both body and mind. From professional athletes to amateur fitness enthusiasts, the sport is practised by people from all over the world. But how come it is becoming more popular here in Bali?
As boxing is one of the oldest martial arts of all time, we have known boxing for hundreds of years, it has only started to get popular recently. You might think of boxing as intimidating, I mean, you will definitely feel that lead uppercut if you don’t know how to defend yourself, but there has been a shift. With the rise of social media, you are constantly exposed to healthy fit-guru’s and well trained models. Influencers and celebrities often share their fitness routines, work outs, diets and more, which has helped to popularize these practices among their followers. As more boxing schools have opened their doors, the beginning of a community around boxing fitness culture started, which has made boxing less intimidating and more approachable.
But what makes boxing the perfect work out? There are a couple of reasons why boxing is the perfect work out. Starting off that it is for everyone. Young or old, boxing is easy and simple to learn. Besides the fact that you can burn up to 800 calories in just one hour of boxing, it is also a very good work out mentally. It sharpens the mind, by encouraging you to take on a strategic approach to offense and defence. So not only will you stimulate all your muscle groups during your workout, you will literally release tension in your body and mind.
With Bali being a popular tourist destination, and many people being interested in local culture and experiences, boxing gyms and events have been a popular attraction by tourists who want to try something new. In recent years, Bali has hosted several boxing events, such as the Bali Boxing World Cup and the Bali International Boxing Championship. These events attracted international participants, which gained more interest in both watching and practising martial arts. Many of the boxing schools in Bali are open to tourists as well as locals, and offer a range of programmes and classes for different level of skills. Some of these schools specialize in a specific type of boxing, such as the traditional Indonesian boxing Pencak Silat, or Western-style boxing.
In conclusion, boxing has become a popular trend in Bali due to a combination of factors such as growing interest in combat sports, tourism, health and fitness, and celebrity influence. While it is hard to estimate exact numbers of boxers and boxing schools in Bali, the increasing numbers of gyms and training centres in the region and the hosting of boxing events indicate a growing community of boxers and boxing enthusiasts. With its many benefits such as physical fitness, self-defence skills and cultural heritage, boxing in Bali is likely to continue to be a popular trend for many years to come. So put on your boxing gloves, and kick some ass!
