Women's Fitness

WORDS: AMANDA

KHOUV

WHAT IS IT?

A boxing workout where half the class is

allocated their own punch bag. The instructor

calls out combinations (which are also projected

on the wall in case you miss them) that are

drilled for the entire round. The other half of

the class will be doing either upper body lower

body or full body circuits during this time. Both

groups will intermittently be swapped over

throughout the class so you get equal amounts

of time doing both boxing and resistance. All the

while there’ll be pumping tunes and flashing

lights to accompany your workout.

AMANDA’S VERDICT

A really good way to get into

boxing. The instru ctors are

hot on technique without interrupting your

workout too much. It’s also unlike most

group exerci se classes out th ere so an

idea l way to swit ch up your current training.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Boxing is a good way to get your cardio fix–

especially if you’re easily bored by the repetitive

nature of other kinds of cardio such as running.

It’s an awesome way to de-stress – hitting

something as hard as you can without getting in

trouble?Yes please! Another benefit is that the

coordination required keeps your brain sharp.

And while you’re recovering from the gruelling

boxing segments you’re boosting strength and

muscular endurance through the resistance work.

HOW HARD IS IT?

Boxing is pretty hard – particularly if you’re

not experienced. But the good news is that

once you’ve nailed the technique you can push

yourself.Trying to get the moves down can also

act as a distraction from the dripping sweat so

you won’t even realise how hard you’re working.

WHERE IS IT?

Kobox in Chelsea London. Single classes are

£20 but there are deals available as well as an

introductory offer of two classes and a pair of

hand wraps for £25. Visit koboxlondon.com.

For a fun way to get fit de-stress and torchfat

try this new boxing class. It’s a knockout!

‘Boxing is a really

good way to get your

cardio fix – especially

if you’re easily bored by

the repetitive nature

of other kinds ofcardio

such as running’

If your gym has a punch

bag this is easily

replic ated– minus the

awesome atmosphere of

course. Do 3 x 2-minute

rounds of drilling

combinations mixing up

straight punches hooks

and uppercuts. Alternate

between speed and

power. Then switch to

3 x 2-minute rounds of

plank holds press-ups

and lunges taking little

rests in-between. Repeat

the entire thing two or

three times in total.

DO IT

YOURSELF

Kobox

CLASS

ON

TRIAL

EXERCISE

30 womensfitness.co.uk| September 2016