| I like to consider myself reasonably fit; I'm an active | | | | We began. We started with the basic jab which he |
| healthy person with a good diet and well used gym | | | | labeled "1" then moved onto a left jab straight right |
| membership. I can swim for an hour, run for 40 | | | | combo labeled "2", "3" was a left jab straight right |
| minutes and feel fine afterwards. So perhaps I can | | | | left hook combo. I was genuinely enjoying myself; |
| be forgiven for being overly confident entering my | | | | we worked through the combos and basic moves |
| first pad based boxing workout. | | | | until we had enough to run though from one to nine. |
| It wasn't my idea; a friend of mine was heavily into | | | | I tried my hardest as he repeatedly corrected me |
| boxing and mixed martial arts. I'd been to the gym | | | | for the position and movement of my feet, hands |
| with him a few times for more conventional | | | | and placement of my guard. |
| workouts. We'd lifted weights together and put in | | | | As my confidence increased my training partner |
| some serious CV sessions but he could never resist | | | | began mixing up the combo's however I noted my |
| mentioning his Tuesday night boxing class making | | | | punches weakening, how could this be? I was strong |
| sure I knew that he considered it the most fulfilling | | | | and fit and yet within an hour I could just about hold |
| exercise he did. | | | | my hands up! We called it a day. |
| Why not I thought! I don't claim to be a tough guy | | | | Nothing could have prepared me for the following |
| but I'm no wet flannel. How hard could it be? So | | | | morning. Every single muscle in my body ached. I |
| along I went. | | | | could hardly move and was aching in places I didn't |
| We started with some warm up exercises, throwing | | | | even know existed. I can honestly say that boxing |
| a medical ball back and forth coupled with some light | | | | training is without a doubt the single most effective |
| skipping, hopping and stretching. I was going to be | | | | method of training I've ever participated in. Not only |
| working through a gentle boxing session with the guy | | | | did it get the blood pumping I'd also worked just |
| that I trained with; he'd decided it would be best to | | | | about every muscle in my body. |
| ease me into it before jumping in the deep end and | | | | As our sessions continued my conditioning improved, |
| taking a full class. | | | | never had a form of training made me feel so unfit. |
| He kindly provided me with all of the boxing | | | | All that time in the gym clearly hadn't been as |
| equipment I'd need for this introduction. He pulled out | | | | effective as I thought it had. |
| a sets of 12 ounce boxing gloves and some focus | | | | I can honestly genuinely recommend boxing training, it |
| pads. I wouldn't be needing headgear or a gum shield | | | | needn't be violent and you don't have to spar. It is a |
| as we were just going to focus on the basic boxing | | | | fantastic form of exercise that stimulates the mind |
| moves. | | | | and the body. Give it a try. |