Why you should take up boxing

Here’s why you should take up boxing and get punching-fit today!

There’s something so satisfying about strapping on some boxing gloves and punching a bag with all your might. Nothing can compare to that amazing feeling of aching muscles after exercise when you know you’ve given your absolute all. We headed over to Fitzroy Lodge, the legendary London boxing gym, to try out the boxing fitness class Power of Boxing. It was tough, but we had such a blast!

The lowdown

If you’re on the lookout for a fitness class that will push you to your limits, teach you some new skills and send your endorphin levels soaring, then Power of Boxing is definitely right up your alley. This group class is fast-paced, full of variety and will have you sweating buckets.

The class began with some skipping to warm ourselves up. This only lasted for a few minutes, but it was long enough to boost our heart rates and have us panting (slightly). Next, it was time to move into the ring. Equipped with our boxing gloves, our instructor Mark Reigate, a former amateur boxer and head coach at Fitzroy Lodge, started teaching us the basics. We went through our stance, how to position our arms and the different kinds of punches you can throw. We learnt the differences between a jab, a hook and an uppercut, how to use our legs to propel ourselves forward when throwing a punch and how to dodge an advancing punch from an opponent. Now that we had the basics down, it was time to put our newly learned skills into practice.

Power of Boxing is a non-contact class, but you do get the chance to test out your boxing prowess on the mitts with an instructor and, later, on a bag. After picking up the basics, we then went through a workout that involved us taking turns boxing with Mark on the mitts and doing a variety of gruelling exercises in between, including press-ups and burpees. After spending quite some time in the ring, our class ended on the boxing bags.

The verdict

When you go to a Power of Boxing class, you have to be prepared to work hard. The class is very intense, but it’s so much fun at the same time. There’s nothing better than letting out all of your stress on a bag. By the end of the class, you’ll feel worn out, refreshed and infinitely more badass than when you walked in.

Many people assume that the main focus of boxing is just to work your arms, but it’s actually all about total body coordination. Not only do you learn how to do jabs, hooks and uppercuts, but you also have to be on your toes at all times, ready to step into a punch or dodge your opponent at any moment. Mark didn’t give us too much time to rest between exercises, but that’s not surprising when you consider Fitzroy Lodge’s reputation as one of the most respected boxing gyms in London. They couldn’t have gone easy on us!

There are so many boxing and HIIT fusion classes out there at the moment, but it feels so different attending a class taught by a former amateur boxer in one of London’s oldest boxing gyms. We didn’t just enjoy a full-body workout – we also picked up new skills in the process. We may not be ready to step into the ring quite yet, but who knows what the future may bring!

Prices start at £12.50 per class. Classes take place in Lambeth at Fitzroy Lodge and in Battersea at Carney’s Community. To book a Power of Boxing class, click here. For more information, visit powerofboxing.com.