When you think traditional boxing, your mind tends to go to tough guys. So when I saw all the boxing bags hanging inside the new Title Boxing Club that just opened in my area, I figured it was surely a testosterone hot spot and probably geared more toward men than women. It wasn’t until a friend of mine posted a picture of herself on Facebook all strapped in Title boxing gloves that I thought about going to check it out. After all, it is the new year and everything.
I went to my first class today and wow was it GREAT! I thought it would be fun to share it with you in case you want to check it out. If you have a Title Boxing Club in your area, the first class is free, so what do you have to lose?
I got there early and introduced myself to the instructor. After I filled out the necessary paperwork, I figured I’d slap on a pair of boxing gloves and be all set, but I soon found out punching a heavy bag is serious stuff. The first thing the instructor did was teach me how to wrap my hands with a bandage similar to the kind they give you if you have a sprained ankle. The instructor explained that hand wraps are important to protect your hands and wrists from injury caused by punching. Wouldn’t want to break a wrist or anything.
Then it was time for the gloves.
If I decide to join, I’m definitely investing in my own gloves. Your hands sweat like crazy during the work-out and that can get a little gross in someone else’s gloves, even if they are sprayed with disinfectant. I’d love to have my own pink pair anyway! It’s fashion first with me all the time you know.
Once I got the bandaged and gloved, I was ready to go!
Don’t I look tough? Ok, maybe not, but I was feeling it!
Next it was off to the bags.
There ended up being about 20 people in the class and to my surprise over half were women. There were all fitness levels represented and everyone worked at their own speed, which was great. I hate group classes that become competitive. I was part of one once and I ended up with a chronic piriformis problem. It’s too easy to get injured when you’re in your 40′s.
We started off with 15 minutes of warm-ups that involved neck and shoulder rolls, jumping jacks, running laps around the room, walking lunges, shuffle runs, and lateral foot cross over runs. Then it was time for the actual boxing. We did intervals for 30 minutes. Each interval was 3-4 minutes of actual boxing followed by 1-2 minutes of a calisthenics which included things like squats, jumping jacks, running in place, knee raises, push ups, and burpees.
The instructor demonstrated each round of boxing so we knew how to hit and what type of hit to use. I wish there was more time spent on technique for the newbies. If I go back, I will definitely take one of their instructional classes on form. I felt like I really didn’t know what I was doing, but I made it through all right.
The last 15 minutes of the class was total core. By the time we were finished, I had worked my abdominals to complete fatigue. I can’t wait to see how I feel tomorrow. Nobody say anything funny, ok? I know it’s going to hurt to laugh. God, I hate that!
Overall, I thought the class was great. The whole while we were working out, they were cranking great music on an awesome sound system which was very motivating and fun. Plus it was a fabulous total body work-out. I have to say, in addition to the extreme upper body work-out involved in hitting the heavy boxing bag, I could totally feel it in my obliques which was a great added bonus. (If you want to see all the benefits of heavy bag boxing, check out this link). The hour went so quickly, I didn’t even think about the time. Ok, except during the 15 minutes of abs. I was definitely thinking about the time during that ab work!
I’m considering adding this to my exercise routine, but before I do I want to go try out a piloxing class. Have you heard of this? It combines the sculpting and flexibility of pilates with the power, speed and agility of boxing. I’ll let you know how that goes.
Have you tried heavy bag boxing or piloxing? I’d love to hear what you think of it and what your experience was like.
Oh, and by the way, I’m wearing an Under Armour ‘Victory’ Racerback Tank Monarchy Medium (love this ribbed top because it doesn’t have an annoying built in bra and the fabric is very forgiving and flattering AND it comes in tons of great colors) and Nike Dri-Fit Capris
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