Boxing ranks as the most popular workout in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — Cue the Rocky theme music and strap on some gloves, a new study shows boxing is the most popular workout in Utah.

According to Total Shape, an online fitness site, boxing tops the list of average monthly Google searches. The company looked at the searched terms like ‘X classes’ and ‘X classes near me’ to figure out each state’s most popular fitness searches.

In Utah, the top 5 searches are:

1. Boxing
2. Dance
3. Pilates
4. HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)
5. Yoga

Utah joins 41 other states with boxing as the most sought-after workout, followed by Pilates. 

AJ Stidham with Ultimate Combat Training Center in Salt Lake City tells KSL NewsRadio the sport started gaining popularity right before COVID.

Ultimate Combat boxing coach Christian Alber said he thought boxing’s rise in popularity was due to the diversity in the sport.

“The boxing champions today come from every race, background, and part of the wold possible,” he said adding, “Seeing someone an individual relates to achieve great things in boxing makes the concept seem more approachable and not out of reach.”

Open to all

According to Stidham, there is a good balance of interest from both men and women and people of all ages, but she is noticing girls ages 13-25 become more interested recently.

The reasons to join boxing are different though.

“For younger people and women, it’s more about self-defense,” Stidham said. “[For people] 18 and above, it’s to learn something new.”

Boxer Jalel Lopez said boxing has social benefits like, “Keeping kids off the streets and into something productive for themselves,” as well as physical benefits like “Staying in shape, increasing serotonin & dopamine levels.”

Stidham says boxing is for everyone, whether you have ever stepped into a ring or have any prior experience.

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