Boxing is an extremely fun and effective way to work out, and it can offer a whole host of different benefits. Unfortunately, to do it properly, you usually need a partner, a membership to a specific gym, and a lot of free space in which to train in.
Even if you decide you can do it at home by installing a bag, it will have its limitations. You will have to modify your home to accommodate most heavy bags, while training alone can never give you the same level of drive or motivation that you would experience in a ring or gym with others.
What if there was a way to enjoy all of the perks of a boxing gym in the comfort of your own home though? With more and more people turning to training from home in recent years, Liteboxer claim to have come up with the perfect way for you to do just that.
An interactive system that aims to replicate the effects of boxing with people on your own, the idea is for it to let you enjoy all of the benefits of boxing, without any of the negatives.
Can it really meet these lofty aims though? Well, that is exactly what we hope to determine today, as we do an in depth Liteboxer review and see if it is worth your time and money.
Liteboxer
Liteboxer is a cardio machine that functions as an interactive punching bag. This allows you to enjoy all of the benefits of boxing, while having more options to improve your skill and make your sessions enjoyable than you would get from traditional boxing equipment.
It is marketed as the ideal piece of equipment for people who want to “glamify” or “gamify” their boxing workouts. A Bluetooth connected home boxing system, Liteboxer givers users’ access to hundreds of boxing and strength classes on its dedicated companion app.
As you stream each workout on your phone, tablet, or other smart device, the six gamified pods light up in sync with the voice and instructions of an instructor, to tell you just where to aim each punch.
All of the strength training sessions on Liteboxer are set to music of your instructor’s choice, and the class is then choreographed so that your movements match the beats. All the while, each session is being recorded to the system’s memory, to help you keep track of your progress.
Stats like total punches thrown, classes taken, the percent of “good hits” (punches thrown on-beat with adequate power), and your average power score are all noted down. This will let you see precisely where you started, where you are now, and how long it took you to get between the two.
When assembled, the base of the Liteboxer is 55.3 in (L) x 37.5 in (W) (140.5 cm x 95.25 cm) or 73.3 in (L) x 37.5 in (W) (186.2 cm x 95.25 cm) when using the extended platform. Its height can also range from 54 to 64 inches (137.2 to 162.6 centimetres), depending on which setting you select.
This means it requires a limited amount of free space to be set up and used in, while not requiring any modifications to your home, which would be required with a traditional heavy bag. It weighs only 150 pounds (68 kg), so is very easy to move around for most people.
It also has an upper weight limit of 325 pounds (147.5 kg) and a height range of 4 foot 10 in to 6 foot (147.3 to 183 cm) on the standard platform. The extended platform takes the height range up to 6 ft 4 in (193 cm), although there is no mention of what weight limit it has.
To utilise the Liteboxer, all you need is an iPad (5th generation) or iPhone 8 on iOS 10, or an Android device with at least 2 GB RAM on Android 7.0.
As a result, it can be used by the vast majority of people, no matter their height, weight, or how much free space they have, making it an incredibly inclusive piece of kit. The $1,500 to $1,600 price tag, depending on which model you choose, will admittedly be an issue for some people, however.
The base package comes with hand wraps and a pair of gloves, which gives you the choice of either small or large. It also gives you access to a community where you can connect with other users on Facebook and see a leader board that puts you in “competition” with other users.
The Pro package is more expensive at around $100 extra, but includes two pairs of wraps and gloves, a yoga mat that you can use for strength workouts, warmups, and cool-downs, and even its own special non-slip mat, to make your experience as enjoyable as possible.
Alternate Versions Of Liteboxer
For those who enjoy Liteboxer and want to take it with you on the go or like the sound of it but just don’t have the space or funds for the console, the company also make two varied, portable versions.
Liteboxer GO
Liteboxer GO is the easiest, cheapest option. Powered by the use of a smart watch on each wrist, you simply connect to a TV screen and follow the on screen prompts to tell you which direction to strike. It also saves you a great deal of money over the main versions.
While this does give you more freedom to train on the move and indeed move around in the session, it does take the actual impact out of the activity, which is one of the main benefits for most people. It also requires you to take much more care not to actually hit and damage your TV.
Liteboxer VR
Liteboxer VR is another portable version of the system run through an app. While it will require the purchase of a VR headset, with the best and most compatible options, like the Oculus Meta Quest, retailing for $300 to $400, this is still far cheaper upfront than purchasing the full system.
From here, you simply pay a subscription fee of $18.99 a month to get access to the best interactive, virtual reality boxing experience on the market. A truly successful, gamified boxing workout, when you enter the Liteboxer VR app, it will appear that you’re really in a virtual boxing ring.
The Liteboxer shield appears in front of you at what the app deems to be the correct punching level for you. You will also see a punch track that tracks the time left in your workout and/or a video of your coach.
When using the Meta Quest plus, the Liteboxer VR app only needs a two foot by two foot (61 cm by 61 cm) square to use, meaning it truly can be used anywhere.
With access to an extensive VR community, it is a perfect option for people seeking an interactive boxing workout who don’t want to or can’t go to a boxing gym.
Pros
- The bulletproof design makes it a sound investment you don’t have to worry about breaking
- Intuitive app tracks your progress and helps you to grow
- Excellent trainer courses ensure you work both hard and efficiently
- Invigorating workouts are guaranteed to produce results on a consistent basis
- Plenty of options to take the experience on the move or make it more interactive
Cons
- A little on the pricey side
- No built in speakers mean it isn’t as loud as it could be
- Bulky design isn’t the most attractive or easy to store away
The Best Liteboxer Alternative: FightCamp
Liteboxer is no doubt a fabulous piece of workout equipment but, for one reason or another, it will not be the right choice for everyone. If you like the idea of Liteboxer but there is something stopping you from purchasing it, perhaps you should consider buying FightCamp instead.
The basic version of FightCamp is extremely comparable to Liteboxer GO, while the complete version comes with an interactive bag that tracks data like your speed, intensity, number of punches, and workout progression.
The free-standing bag is 67 inches (170.2 cm) tall once assembled and the minimum amount of floor space recommended to use FightCamp in is 8 foot by 4 foot (213.4 cm by 106.7 cm). The bag is also made to come apart, making it much easier to move and store.
The base of the bag weighs 13 lbs (5.9 kg) and measures 30 in (L) x 24 in (W) x 24 in (H) (76.2 cm x 61 cm x 61 cm). The top of the bag weighs 17 lbs (7.7 kg) and measures 53 in (L) x 19 in (W) x 19 in (H) (134.6 cm x 48.3 cm x 48.3 cm).
Finally, the workout mat weighs 47 Lbs (21.3 kg) and measures 24 in (L) x 24 in (W) x 4 in (H) (61 cm x 61 cm x 10.2 cm).
Combined with a price tag of $99 for just the trackers or $499 for the trackers and bag combo (plus a monthly subscription of $39 on both), this makes FightCamp a far cheaper, more space efficient alternative to Liteboxer.
Pros
- Hundreds of different on-demand classes provide options for people of all fitness levels
- Attractive design
- Easy to use and store away
- Cheaper and more space efficient than Liteboxer
Cons
- Requires a monthly subscription service
- Can be hard to setup for some
- Needs plenty of space to be used
What Are The Benefits Of Boxing Workouts?
Many people might look at boxing and think it’s a strange activity for people who don’t have a desire to get in a ring and actually compete. In reality though, this is far from the truth, as there are lots of different benefits, both mental and physical, that boxing can offer, some of which we’ll now look at.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Boxing is, without doubt, one of the most challenging cardio workouts you will likely come across.
It is half a test of endurance that sees you constantly in motion, never getting to stop for minutes at a time. Then, you get the added explosive side where you have to throw punches with power and conviction while on the move.
If you think going for a long distance run while constantly throwing effective punches the entire time sounds like an intense workout, it is, and there is very little difference between that and boxing.
Builds Muscles And Definition
While people often associate it purely with the arms, boxing is actually a sport that uses virtually all the muscles in your entire body. You need your arms and shoulders to throw punches, your abs and back to turn into punches and dodge, and your legs to keep you mobile and always in motion.
Then there is the fact that you need to perform fast, powerful motions when throwing punches, as well as working on your endurance by keeping yourself constantly on the move. This combo allows you to develop the strength and tone in all of the fibres throughout every muscle in your body.
Builds Strong Bones And Joints
Much like how it strengthens muscles, boxing is an activity that is equally as good for the bones and joints as well. The controlled yet high impact nature of the activity allows it to both increase the density of the bones and the strengthen connective tissues, such as tendons and ligaments.
This not only increases the strength of the joints and bones but also their durability, meaning you will be less likely to get injured or experience weakness or a loss of strength as you age.
Improves Hand-Eye Coordination
Assuming you are aiming at a specific target as you punch, boxing is a fabulous activity to improve your hand-eye coordination.
Hitting a target while standing still requires a certain level of aim, but to do so while you are moving brings a far greater level of focus, anticipation, and coordination into the equation.
As you continue to improve and move faster, all of these skills will be enhanced, and you can then transfer them to other activities you perform in your daily life.
Confidence Booster
Looking better, feeling stronger, and being more athletic or physically fit are all great ways to boost your confidence. As boxing can enhance all of these aspects, it is a truly fabulous option for those who need a little help boosting their confidence.
The more you progress in your boxing training, the more confident you will get. Before long, you will be less worried about boosting your confidence and more concerned with it not going to your head.
Excellent Stress Reliever
Boxing is one of the absolute best ways to relieve stress for two reasons. For starters, doing any kind of exercise is a great way to relieve stress, so an intense activity like boxing is a fabulous option. The more intense your session, the greater stress relief it will provide.
What makes boxing an especially good stress reliever though, is the fact that when you hit or punch things, your brain releases hormones known as endorphins. These endorphins are proven to elevate your mood, making you feel happier and helping to remove any stresses that were on your mind.
By combining these two actions together, boxing becomes an incredible cure to some of the biggest stresses that life can throw at you.
Gets You In Shape
While this could be seen as an amalgamation of all of the benefits that we have looked at so far, boxing is indeed a fabulous activity to help you “get in shape”.
It will make you look better, feel heathier, improve your mental health, and make you stronger and less prone to injury, helping to shape your entire life and body.
Final Thoughts On Liteboxer
Liteboxer is admittedly a very expensive piece of kit but, for those looking to enjoy a truly interactive boxing workout and all the benefits that come with it in the comfort of their home, it is more than worth the money. There are even ways to take the system on the go, so you never miss a workout.
While there are indeed alternatives on the market, such as FightCamp, none of them quite stack up to what Liteboxer has to offer. It can be used to train in ways similar to calisthenics and CrossFit, as a simple cardio workout, or, on the mobile versions, as a way to stay active and moving as you travel.
It can even be used for more therapeutic reasons, like stress relief or boosting mobility or bone and joint health. Bottom line, if you are hoping to take part in the most interactive boxing workouts you can, without having to go to the gym, Liteboxer is the way to go and more than worth the money.
Steve is a retired professional wrestler with over 10 years of experience in the personal fitness industry. He is a certified personal trainer working with a wide variety of athletes as well as a fitness writer.