Australian_Mens_Fitness_April_2017

36 MEN’S FITNESS APRIL 2017

Boxing gyms have come a long
way from the gritty, dank caves

Rocky prowled in frosty predawn
hours. Just as we had the luxury-

climbing-gym revolution last year
— when men skipped the treadmill

to flex their bouldering skills — we’re
now witnessing an explosion of ultra-

high-end boxing temples. In the US
it’s big business. Take the gleaming

Rumble, which opened a 560m^2
location in New York last January.

At this knockdown palace, which
is partly co-owned by a former

Google executive,you can work
on full-body toning while hitting

an aqua heavy bag, which is much
easier on the joints and tendons.

“Our clients don’t just punch a bag
for 45 minutes. We have weights

and benches,” says Eugene Remm,
a Rumble co-owner. “Add our overall

cleanliness, and nobody thinks
‘boxing.’” The phenomenon is bound

to take off here as gyms like the
Corporate Fitness Centre in Sydney’s

Surry Hills combine traditional
boxing fixtures — ring and bags —

with a yoga and Brazilian jiu-jitsu
area. We totally approve of the

rise in boxing gyms, and not just
because we’ve seenCreedtoo

many times. Boxing isn’t just about
fighting — it’s a great workout that

boosts mental agility, improves
coordination, and blends cardio and

muscle sculpting. As a famous pug
once said: “Boxing is the only sport

where you have to stay on your feet
the whole time to be successful.”

Here’s what you need to know
before you step into the ring and

cop your first blow on the melon.

ou’ve hit

YouTube,

and after

watching

highlights of Danny Green

knocking heads into the

cheap seats, you’re

amped to learn the ropes.

Now what?

You begin by going

to a reputable gym,”

says Heather Hardy,

the WBC international

featherweight champ.

What constitutes as

“reputable” depends on

your personal preference.

The gym doesn’t have

to be beautiful — it can

be a hole-in-the-wall

reeking of Dencorub, with

The beginner’s guide

to picking a boxing gym

Before you

can pull on the

gloves, you need

to find the right

place — and the

right trainer.

Y

Pugilist 101

heavy bags wrapped

with duct tape.

Next, find a trainer.

“Let the owner know

if you’re interested in

competition or fitness,”

says Hardy. Then ask

about style: Do you

respond better to an

earful of growls from a

grizzled vet, or an arm

around the shoulder

from a gentler soul?

Make sure the gym

trains “white-collar

types”, and steer

clear of anyone lacking

ring time.

Why? Would you take

surfing lessons from

an instructor who’d

never caught a wave

or swam in the ocean?

And don’t be

intimidated. Sure,

there’ll be guys built

like brick shithouses,

who look like they

could KO Mike Tyson,

but rest assured, the

camaraderie found

in boxing gyms is

second to none.

Most boxers are

chill cats who are

happy to share tips.

From the banker

throwing soft punches

to the gun welterweight

prospect, they’re

all there to better

themselves.