Boxing
Leeeets get ready to RUMMMMBLE!
If the usual fitness routine of the gym, jogging and aerobics is boring you to tears, get into boxing! It's no longer just for sweaty men in funny shorts!
Boxing is the "it" sport of the moment, experiencing a surge in popularity.
The film "Girlfight", the story of an aspiring female boxer, won accolades at the Sundance Film Festival. So to what do we owe the sudden fascination with the previously male dominated sport?
Assistant Olympic boxing coach, Geoff Peterson, believes the rise in popularity is due to shifts in social standing. "Women have moved into traditionally male dominated areas in life, careers have become more stressful, and life today is faster paced. There are few things men can do which women don't - boxing is the last frontier to conquer".
Female competitive boxing is shrouded with controversy. Medical experts argue boxing is dangerous, and women aren't equipped physically or emotionally to cope and many countries have bans on competitive female boxing. Supporters argue the opposition is based on cultural and not medical grounds.
As far as training is concerned, Geoff says the benefits of boxing "are a sense of power, an increase in confidence, stamina, stress relief and weight loss. It's an excellent cardiovascular workout ". There's more good news - co-ordination and rhythm come naturally to girls, so we have an advantage over guys already!
Training is rigorous, requiring a surprising amount of coordination and concentration. Most classes will involve skipping, abdominal crunches, light hand weight exercises and punching a bag or a partner - using focus mitts and gloves of course!
The added bonus is learning self-defense. There's a certain amount of satisfaction in being aware of how to punch correctly, and which areas of the body to direct a punch to, should the need to defend yourself arise.
Even if you think you can pull better moves than the girls in Charlie's Angels, take note of Geoff's personal safety advice: "The biggest mistake young women make is their lack of awareness. How many times have you looked in the back seat of your car before getting in? Be aware of your surroundings, and don't stray from well-lit or populated areas. Walk confidently carrying your keys in your fists, poking through your fingers - you'll look too much like hard work to a potential attacker". The message is, use your common sense.
For contact details of the boxing clubs in your area refer to: http://www.boxing.61.org and refer to some of the women's boxing sites on-line for training and fitness tips:
http://www.womenboxing.com
http://www.thriveonline.oxygen.com/fitness/boxing/index.html
- Rachael
If the usual fitness routine of the gym, jogging and aerobics is boring you to tears, get into boxing! It's no longer just for sweaty men in funny shorts!
Boxing is the "it" sport of the moment, experiencing a surge in popularity.
The film "Girlfight", the story of an aspiring female boxer, won accolades at the Sundance Film Festival. So to what do we owe the sudden fascination with the previously male dominated sport?
Assistant Olympic boxing coach, Geoff Peterson, believes the rise in popularity is due to shifts in social standing. "Women have moved into traditionally male dominated areas in life, careers have become more stressful, and life today is faster paced. There are few things men can do which women don't - boxing is the last frontier to conquer".
Female competitive boxing is shrouded with controversy. Medical experts argue boxing is dangerous, and women aren't equipped physically or emotionally to cope and many countries have bans on competitive female boxing. Supporters argue the opposition is based on cultural and not medical grounds.
As far as training is concerned, Geoff says the benefits of boxing "are a sense of power, an increase in confidence, stamina, stress relief and weight loss. It's an excellent cardiovascular workout ". There's more good news - co-ordination and rhythm come naturally to girls, so we have an advantage over guys already! Training is rigorous, requiring a surprising amount of coordination and concentration. Most classes will involve skipping, abdominal crunches, light hand weight exercises and punching a bag or a partner - using focus mitts and gloves of course!
The added bonus is learning self-defense. There's a certain amount of satisfaction in being aware of how to punch correctly, and which areas of the body to direct a punch to, should the need to defend yourself arise.
Even if you think you can pull better moves than the girls in Charlie's Angels, take note of Geoff's personal safety advice: "The biggest mistake young women make is their lack of awareness. How many times have you looked in the back seat of your car before getting in? Be aware of your surroundings, and don't stray from well-lit or populated areas. Walk confidently carrying your keys in your fists, poking through your fingers - you'll look too much like hard work to a potential attacker". The message is, use your common sense.For contact details of the boxing clubs in your area refer to: http://www.boxing.61.org and refer to some of the women's boxing sites on-line for training and fitness tips:
http://www.womenboxing.com
http://www.thriveonline.oxygen.com/fitness/boxing/index.html
- Rachael
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