When we first envisioned our Workout Wednesday series, we thought about bringing you real reviews of workouts that we've always wanted to try. We haven't really gotten around to that (we came close with the November Project, but we'd never heard of it before we started researching free workouts). Until now.
We threw out some ideas of workouts we've always wanted to try, and you can expect to see honest reviews on all sorts of things in the coming months. One idea that came up and that I (Katie 2) was especially excited about was boxing. I kept imaging myself as Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby. (Minus the whole breaking your neck, assisted suicide thing. More the amazingly toned back in that jaw dropping blue dress, yes I realize that the dress is non movie related.) So when a boxing gym opened up right down my street, I happily volunteered to try it out.
I will start my review with a caveat. There are a lot of different types of boxing gyms out there, and a lot of gyms that offer boxing among other things. The place you ultimately go will probably have a great impact on your overall experience. I will try and write to review both the gym I went to and boxing as a workout.
Unanimous Boxing Gym is very clean, very modern, and very welcoming. They offer a free three-day membership for those interested in trying it out. I went in to fill out a waiver and I was told to just show up at a class.
When I showed up the next day, the gym was empty with the exception of the man behind the desk. He told me to put my stuff in a locker (everything is in one big room, and you work out right in front of the lockers, so there is no need to lock anything). He then wrapped my hands (he provided the wraps). I'm not going to lie-I felt super badass standing there in the gym with my hands wrapped. Four others showed up (another total newbie, one who been to a few classes, and two experienced students) and the class started with what the instructor called "an intense warm-up". Holy crap. It was INTENSE.
- 20 mountain climbers; 20 planks where you jump your feet wide, together, wide; 20 jumping jacks. Run thru all 3 for 3 minutes, followed by a 1 minute break.
- 10 burpees; 10 jump squats; 10 jumping jacks. Run thru all 3 for 3 minutes, followed by a 1 minute break.
- 6 push ups; 6 something else horrible I can't remember; 6 jumping jacks. Run thru all 3 for 3 minutes
By the time I was done with the first round of 3 minutes, I was panting and dripping sweat. By the end of the last round of 3 minutes, there was rather large pool of sweat in front of me. I have never felt like less of a badass. I almost left, but I didn't. Why? Because 1) the instructor kept saying "this is all about going at your own pace" and "do as many reps as YOU can" and 2) everyone else in the room was panting just as much as I was, even the experienced students (although I don't think anyone was sweating as much as I was). Oh, and 3) I hadn't even boxed yet.
We then broke into groups. The 2 experienced students got small weights and did exercises behind us- variations of punches. The newbies went to the front of the room in front of the mirrors and the instructor walked us through six basic punches (jab, cross, left hook, right hook, left upper cut, right upper cut). We worked on pivoting, and then we learned to punch on the move. It sounds easy, but it wasn't. It took concentration and coordination, and we were all breathing heavier than you would expect just standing in front of the mirror punching at air. The instructor came to each of us in turn and put his hands up to give us something to punch at, which makes a difference for things like a hook. (Badass moment again.)
Next, we put on our boxing gloves (the part I had been waiting for!) and everyone picked a punching bag (we were a combined group of 5 at this point). The newbies worked on different combinations, and the instructor came by and corrected our form. We did all sorts of variations and punching combinations for about 15 to 20 minutes. An important thing to remember in boxing is to always guard your face, which means the hand that isn't punching is up by your chin. A good way to check is to touch your face with the glove. Which means you get sweat all over the glove, which in turns gets all over the bag. I'm telling you, I was a sweaty mess. OH, and to properly punch, you have to pivot. And squat. During the entire round at the mirrors and at the punching bag, we were squatting. (The punching bag was the best part.)
The last ten minutes we were on mats doing ab exercises. At the end, I just returned all of my equipment, which the instructor cleaned and put away. We chatted for a bit, and I got a good look around the room.
There are 7 punching bag and a giant round bag (it's apparently used for upper cuts). In the middle of the room is a full-sized boxing ring, with a chandelier (yes, an actual chandelier) hanging over it. It sounds corny, but it didn't look out of place at all. The back of the room had some other equipment I didn't get a good look at.
The gym offers memberships, as well as a 10 pack of classes that you can use any time. Joshua (my instructor) and I chatted, and I mentioned how in the past, I had been interested in trying boxing, and I was told more than once that "they didn't recommend boxing for women". He was rightfully appalled, and mentioned that Unanimous has more female members than male. And he proudly shared that one of their first female members recently competed in the Golden Gloves championship, with no boxing experience prior to her joining Unanimous.
I loved boxing. The instructor was very encouraging without being patronizing. He taught and corrected without making me feel inadequate. And you can work at your own pace. Also, I sort of expected the gym to smell like stale sweat. It was immaculate. And I really did love the chandelier above the ring. It added a little something.
I was far too sore to go back the next day, so I'm just about out of my three-day trail period. I already am a member of Equinox, but I am considering buying a 10-pack of classes to help with cross training (2 half marathons scheduled in 2018!!!).
Next, we put on our boxing gloves (the part I had been waiting for!) and everyone picked a punching bag (we were a combined group of 5 at this point). The newbies worked on different combinations, and the instructor came by and corrected our form. We did all sorts of variations and punching combinations for about 15 to 20 minutes. An important thing to remember in boxing is to always guard your face, which means the hand that isn't punching is up by your chin. A good way to check is to touch your face with the glove. Which means you get sweat all over the glove, which in turns gets all over the bag. I'm telling you, I was a sweaty mess. OH, and to properly punch, you have to pivot. And squat. During the entire round at the mirrors and at the punching bag, we were squatting. (The punching bag was the best part.)
The last ten minutes we were on mats doing ab exercises. At the end, I just returned all of my equipment, which the instructor cleaned and put away. We chatted for a bit, and I got a good look around the room.
There are 7 punching bag and a giant round bag (it's apparently used for upper cuts). In the middle of the room is a full-sized boxing ring, with a chandelier (yes, an actual chandelier) hanging over it. It sounds corny, but it didn't look out of place at all. The back of the room had some other equipment I didn't get a good look at.
The gym offers memberships, as well as a 10 pack of classes that you can use any time. Joshua (my instructor) and I chatted, and I mentioned how in the past, I had been interested in trying boxing, and I was told more than once that "they didn't recommend boxing for women". He was rightfully appalled, and mentioned that Unanimous has more female members than male. And he proudly shared that one of their first female members recently competed in the Golden Gloves championship, with no boxing experience prior to her joining Unanimous.
I loved boxing. The instructor was very encouraging without being patronizing. He taught and corrected without making me feel inadequate. And you can work at your own pace. Also, I sort of expected the gym to smell like stale sweat. It was immaculate. And I really did love the chandelier above the ring. It added a little something.
I was far too sore to go back the next day, so I'm just about out of my three-day trail period. I already am a member of Equinox, but I am considering buying a 10-pack of classes to help with cross training (2 half marathons scheduled in 2018!!!).
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