Boxercise Edinburgh
Lets start by stating what Boxercise is NOT. It is NOT sparring in a ring, wearing headgear and mouthguards, aiming for KO’s. It is not Rocky. It is not Katie Taylor (much as we love her!). It is not raw eggs for breakfast followed by punching dead pigs in a meat factory then running up a bunch of steps and having a ‘Rocky’ moment. You don’t even have to get a hoodie with your name on the back made (though knock yourself out if it’ll get you to a class). It is not martial arts. It is not self-defence. And it’s not Tae-Bo.
What Boxercise IS is a functional, fun, high-paced/high-energy/high-spirited form of FITNESS training. Yes, emphasis on the FITNESS. Also, for me anyway, emphasis on the FUN. If my group doesn’t dissolve into giggles at least once during sit-up punches then I haven’t done my job.
Boxercise is a form of fitness training that involves boxing concepts. Like Punching. Skipping. Ducking. Weaving. Killer Combinations. Speed. Agility. Endurance. Power. Balance. Oh. And it’s SAFE. It’s non-contact in that when working in pairs, the puncher is aiming for pads held by the pad-holder. Not their face. Classes typically use the 8 punches (jab, cross, head hooks, body hooks, and uppercuts) in combination with other exercises to maintain a constant workout. Think burpees, skipping, shuttle runs, push ups and the like. We aim to work both aerobically (heart-pumping endurance) and anaerobically (short bursts of power).
I say typically because no two Boxercise classes are the same. That’s part of the addictive fun. Not knowing what to expect. Some classes I’ll do insane amounts of punching, others I’ll add a bodyweight circuit challenge, others still I’ll throw in some kicking work. And that’s just me!