I like to consider myself reasonably fit; I’m an active healthy person with a good diet and well used gym membership. I can swim for an hour, run for 40 minutes and feel fine afterwards. So perhaps I can be forgiven for being overly confident entering my first pad based boxing workout.
It wasn’t my idea; a friend of mine was heavily into boxing and mixed martial arts. I’d been to the gym with him a few times for more conventional workouts. We’d lifted weights together and put in some serious CV sessions but he could never resist mentioning his Tuesday night boxing class making sure I knew that he considered it the most fulfilling exercise he did.
Why not I thought! I don’t claim to be a tough guy but I’m no wet flannel. How hard could it be? So along I went.
We started with some warm up exercises, throwing a medical ball back and forth coupled with some light skipping, hopping and stretching. I was going to be working through a gentle boxing session with the guy that I trained with; he’d decided it would be best to ease me into it before jumping in the deep end and taking a full class.
He kindly provided me with all of the boxing equipment I’d need for this introduction. He pulled out a sets of 12 ounce gloves and some focus pads. I wouldn’t be needing headgear or a gum shield as we were just going to focus on the basic boxing moves.
We began. We started with the basic jab which he labeled “1” then moved onto a left jab straight right combo labeled “2”, “3” was a left jab straight right left hook combo. I was genuinely enjoying myself; we worked through the combos and basic moves until we had enough to run though from one to nine. I tried my hardest as he repeatedly corrected me for the position and movement of my feet, hands and placement of my guard.
As my confidence increased my training partner began mixing up the combo’s however I noted my punches weakening, how could this be? I was strong and fit and yet within an hour I could just about hold my hands up! We called it a day.
Nothing could have prepared me for the following morning. Every single muscle in my body ached. I could hardly move and was aching in places I didn’t even know existed. I can honestly say that boxing training is without a doubt the single most effective method of training I’ve ever participated in. Not only did it get the blood pumping I’d also worked just about every muscle in my body.
As our sessions continued my conditioning improved, never had a form of training made me feel so unfit. All that time in the gym clearly hadn’t been as effective as I thought it had.
I can honestly genuinely recommend boxing training, it needn’t be violent and you don’t have to spar. It is a fantastic form of exercise that stimulates the mind and the body. Give it a try.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Two women and conversation
By: voterperson | 24-09-2008
Can I ask you something is Darla reading into this and can she accept Phyllis?s answer when Phyllis said that Darla is thin and thin everywhere?
Phyllis and Darla went to see a movie When they were on the bus going home Phyllis saw a girl on flag outside a Karate school in a bikini.
Phyllis said "If you take Karate you can look like her too". Darla: ?Who are you talking about?Phyllis: ?YOU as meaning people in general? (She said this when she pointed to the woman in the bikini(Darla thought Phyllis meant that Phyllis did not think Darla was thin)Darla: ?Do you think I am thin?Phyllis: ?You are on the thin side?They spoke about something else for about five minutes and then:Darla: ?Do you think I am thin??Phyllis: ?You have a thin face?Darla: ?But I am thin every where?Phyllis: ?Yes you are. You know I have a friend who is thinner than us?Darla: ?But am I thin?Phyllis: ?No one would ever call you fat?Darla: ?What happened if I said if you do Karate you can look like her as well?Phyllis: ?I would have laughed?Darla: ?Do you think I am thin?Phyllis: ?Yes you can accept the fact you are thin?
Then they arrived at their destination and got off the bus. As they were walking the following conversation took placeDarla: ?People are always telling me I don?t look like I eat?Phyllis: ?I would not go that far?Darla: ?You mean I don?t look anorexic?Phyllis: ?Yes you look healthy?Darla: ?Do you think you look healthy?Phyllis: ?Yes?Darla: Everyone always tells me I look skinny?Phyllis: ?Well it is better than every one telling you that you are fat"
Darla is over the part about the Karate. But Darla keeps saying to herself if Phyllis just said "yes you are thin" then Darla would not have pursued it. But when they were sitting on the bus and Phyllis said "you have a thin face" which made Darla feel as if Phyllis did not think Darla was thin all over, HOWEVER, when Darla said ?I am thin all over? PHYLLIS AGREED. Also Darla?s cousin Beth told Darla when Darla told Beth the story: NO ONE WOULD EVER MISTAKE YOU FOR BEING ANYTHING OTHER THAN THIN
THEN TWO DAYS LATER ON THE PHONE PHYLLIS CONFIRMED THAT SHE THINKS DARLA IS THIN. ALSO WHEN DARLA WAS SHOPPING FOR A BLOUSE SHE HELD UP A BLOUSE THAT WAS A SMALL AND A THIN WOMAN SAID "THAT IS GOING TO BE TOO BIG FOR YOU" AND THEN THE A FEW DAYS LATER DARLA WAS LOOKING AT SOME OTHER CLOTHING ITEM AND ANOTHER WOMAN WAS THERE AND SAID "THESE CLOTHES RUN SMALL SO THAT IS OK FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE SKINNY"
ALSO AN EMAIL THAT DARLA SENT TO PHYLLIS WAS ?DO YOU THINK I AM THIN? AND DARLA SAID ?I AM NOT GOING TO ANSWER THAT I ALREADY DID? AND DARLA EMAILED BACK ?SO WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS THAT I SHOULD JUST ACCEPT THE FACT YOU THINK I AM THIN? AND PHYLLIS EMAILED BACK? YES, EXACTLY?
Mustang skid steers looking for friction disc for ...
By: scott | 18-09-2008
mustang skid steers looking for friction disc for john deere 24 skid steere loader part #250-27074 mustang part # john deere discontinued looking for better price
REAL ages of female chinese gymnasts
By: paula zimmerman | 16-09-2008
Has there been an update from the gymnastics federation regarding the female chinese gymnasts ages?
Why were they allowed to keep their medals?
Why was the controversy swept under the rug?
HBO Boxing
By: SLeeTee | 14-09-2008
Does anyone know what happened to the regular commentators on HBO Boxing? Lampley, Steward, Lederman? There were new men on last night's boxing match (Sept. 13, 08) and no mention of the ones who have been commentators for years and years. Just curious, if anyone knows. Thanks.
I want to get into fighting but dont know who to ...
By: mickeyscarred69 | 13-09-2008
i want to get into fighting but dont know who to talk to. im from a little town and there is no one to turn to some one please take me under your wing . i love to fight and have a lot of power and have alot of experience in fighting .i ant toget into this pro before i kill some one!!!!!!!!!!! my e-mail is mickeyscarred69@yahoo.com thank you
MMA referee licensing?
By: Lynn | 09-09-2008
Can anyone tell me where to go or how to get an mma referee license or mma referee certified?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Fitness Articles
Knee Pain Relief : Finding the Best Basketball Knee Brace
By: Daniel Sims | 06/10/2008
Whatever you do, do not go and purchase a basketball knee brace before you read this article. You may already know your knee needs support while you are playing basketball, but you may wonder which basketball knee brace is best for you. Read this article. Simple questions are asked of you, not bogus knee brace hype, to help you make the best decision for yourself.
Diet Trends - the Diets to Watch Out for in 2009
By: Simon Lovell | 06/10/2008
Which diets will be exciting Oprah in 2009? Find out here.
How to Overcome Drug Addiction
By: Patrick Meninga | 06/10/2008
The key to overcoming drug addiction, as evidenced by 7 plus years of experience in sobriety and working in the substance abuse treatment industry.
Different Types of Fitness Equipment Spokane Wa Has to Offer
By: Zach Hunt | 05/10/2008
Have you ever thought about the fitness equipment our city has to offer? We live in a beautiful area that has so many fitness opportunities. You could go with the more traditional fitness opportunities, or you could shake it up a little. I have found fitness equipment all over our beautiful city.
How to Build a Home Gym and Why
By: Jim Rosenau | 04/10/2008
Why build a home gym and not just go to a health club. There are benefits to building your own home gym. Fitness equipment now days caters to home fitness and besides your family might love you for it.
Top Five Tips for Choosing a Flat Fee Mls Real Estate Broker
By: Robert | 04/10/2008
There are a lot of real estate brokers to choose from. Knowing which one is going to be the best choice for you can be tough - which is why we wanted to bring you the top 3 tips for picking out the right real estate agent to meet the requirements of you and your family.
Food Addiction: are You Overeating to Self-medicate?
By: Carol Solomon | 04/10/2008
Overeating is an attempt to go numb. As one of my clients says "it's easier to stuff my feelings than to feel them." You don't want to think about how much you have to do, how many responsibilities you have . . . or how much pressure and uncertainty you are dealing with. It's just easier to eat. Read this article to find out how to change this overeating pattern.
Be Careful When You Use Diet Pills
By: Saksrimae Sukpo | 04/10/2008
The article describes general information about diet pills.
More from Chris Head
Mixed Martial Arts Legends – Randy Couture
By: Chris Head | 27/08/2007 | Martial Arts
Martial arts have developed over a period spanning centuries, skills and techniques passed from teacher to pupil transcending time and passing through generations.
Choosing the Right Sex Lubricants
By: Chris Head | 20/08/2007 | Sexuality
The very nature of sex requires two bodies to meet in a potentially friction restricted way. This is where sex lubricants are used to reduce friction and enhance pleasure.
How to Effectively Clean your Sex Toys
By: Chris Head | 14/08/2007 | Sexuality
Nowadays sex toys are considered a perfectly acceptable accessory to any fulfilling and healthy sex life. However it’s worth remembering that all of these items when in use come into contact with highly sensitive intimate areas of your body.
Rabbit Vibrators - a Girls Best Friend
By: Chris Head | 30/07/2007 | Sexuality
It's true they are a girl's best friend. In fact some women will tell you that if it’s a choice between their rabbit vibrator or their guy then the guys got to go. But how has this toy shot to the top of the vibrator charts. Upon investigation we can see that this can primarily be attributed to two separate factors:-
The Rise and Rise of Rabbit Vibrators
By: Chris Head | 08/07/2007 | Sexuality
We take a look at this cultural phenomenon. A device that has quite simply become the most successful adult product in history. Enjoyed by millions of women worldwide and generally considered by them to be the greatest creation since the wheel.
A Few Simple Steps to Make your Garden Look Great
By: Chris Head | 07/07/2007 | Gardening
In this guide we take a look at a few of the gardening basics that ensure your garden is a welcoming pleasant place to spend your time.
Why I Started Boxing
By: Chris Head | 17/06/2007 | Martial Arts
An explanation of one mans introduction to boxing and martial arts and why he's never looked back.