Tampa Tennis Participates in Punch Boxing Workout

Tampa Tennis Punch Boxing
Tampa Tennis Punch Boxing
March 8, 2021

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa tennis team enjoyed a training session at Punch Boxing for Fitness on Monday, which is located across the street from campus.

The Spartans participated in a one-hour class that was high intensity and physically demanding. The goal was to burn over 1,000 calories in 60 minutes. The session develops quickness, footwork, and all the benefits of elevating heart rate for competitive sports.

"I truly think boxing is one of the best exercises you can do, and it really benefits every sport," says freshman Anine Wilberg. "Tennis is a sport where you need strength, endurance; you need to be quick on your feet and react. Boxing gives you all of this, and it is therefore the perfect match to make your game better. Boxing is also very mental and you have to fight your way to win, which also gives you a tough mentality you can bring with you on court. Boxing is also a great way to work hard together as a team, and it was a lot of fun seeing all the girls punishing their way to the top!!"

"Zachary Steele related it to tennis by explaining the power you get through your punches comes from the rotational movement in your hips, a lot like where we get the power in our shots from tennis," says senior Corbin Dorsey. "It was a great overall experience that worked a lot of muscles we don't normally use in tennis. For a lot of girls, this was a first-time experience and we had to learn the basics. This reminded me when things aren't always going your way in a match, you can always go back to the basics that you know work. Also, being a student-athlete comes with a lot of stress of trying to manage everything. This was a great stress reliever!"

"As a first-time boxer, I learned a lot about the strength and focus that comes along with the sport," says Tatiana Harrelson. "We worked many different muscle groups and it was a fun way to work out with the team other than on the court. Overall, boxing can be related to tennis because it takes a lot of concentration to hear what moves to do and then reciprocate that action and remember the different boxing patterns. The workout not only included punching bags but also a lot of core work, cardio, arms and upper body and leg work."

Head coach Al DuFaux's squad returns to action on Wednesday, March 17, at Florida Southern College.