I like to try something with my workouts every year. Last year it was belly dancing. That’s right, I said belly dancing. Make fun of me and I just might knock you out because I’m shaking things up and incorporating some boxing classes into my workouts this year. Afterall, the great boxer, Muhammad Ali said…
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”
No, I don’t plan on stepping in the ring for a fight like Muhammad, Rocky, or that one girl in the movie Million Dollar Baby. I just want to beat up some punching bags and get a killer workout. My first step is to find a gym in my area that offers group boxing classes. Since there isn’t a LA Boxing gym in my neck of the woods I’m going to have to find an alternative spot for my training. Boxing and kickboxing workouts look like a ton of fun, plus they must burn a lot of calories and a lot of stress!
LA Boxing offers boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts themed group exercise classes, and is also a full service facility with all of the equipment you’d expect to see in a traditional gym. Take a look around, this place looks fierce…
Want to WIN a one month pass to LA Boxing? First, check the gym locator on their Web site and see if there’s a gym in your area (they are in a lot of places around the United States, not just LA)! Then, accept this Random Acts of Fitness & Spice Challenge: Tell us one new thing you are going to try to incorporate into your fitness mix this year in the comments section below. Hurry! This contest will end on Wednesday, January 6th at 11:59 P.M. CST and the winner will be announced back here on Thursday.
Now I really must go trade my belly dancing skirt in for some boxing gloves because this year I’m going to stop floating like a butterfly and start stinging like a bee. Or something like that.
Jess (Fit Chick in the City) says:
January 5th 2010While there isn’t an LA Boxing gym in NYC, I do love a boxing workout. Its a fantastic workout. I haven’t gone to a boxing gym before, but have done some one-on-one training with a boxing instructor. My gym actually offers group martial arts based classes that include contact moves. Maybe that’s an option for you if you can’t find a boxing gym.
amanda says:
January 5th 2010I love LaBOXING!!!! I joined back in November and fell in love with it. I go about 5-6 times a week for an hour. I am normally drenched in sweat after each session (I am in good shape too!!). Also I never was a “class” person at the gym and this is different because it is like going to a class but not. You really can get into a “zone” and that hour flys right by.
Cheryl from thatgirlisfunny says:
January 5th 2010One armed push-ups, belly-dancing and now boxing? You are a force to be reckoned with. woot! woot! have fun! You are gonna love how you feel this year. What’s new for me in 2010? I’m moving from high-level white belt (beginner) to blue belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu this year. That means more focus and more training since I can’t hide behind “beginner” status anymore. Thanks for hosting a contest! Boxing is my favorite way to stay in shape.
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman says:
January 5th 2010Good for you! You might not be fighting like Hillary Swank in Million Dollar Baby, but it’d be nice to get those arms. Yikes. I’m going the opposite way in 2010: I’m trying to get more limber and build core strength so as soon as my knees start feeling OK enough, I’m going to sign up for yoga or Pilates. The bad part: No taking out the day’s frustration on a bag.
Joanna Sutter says:
January 5th 2010Jess, Great suggestions, THANKS!
Amanda, I am so jealous and yet so happy to hear that you love LA Boxing!
Funny Girl, I JUST read this great article about 1 arm push-ups…I’m close! I’m going to build in some renegade rows in o my training and some medicine ball push-ups so I can get make my leap to one-arm push-ups.
http://fitnessblackbook.com/body-weight-training/how-to-do-one-arm-push-ups-for-20-reps/#more-9352
Allie (Protein Girl) says:
January 5th 2010Fun. I went to boxing last night and after 40 minutes of continuous boxing, I actually bled under the skin between my fingers! I’m feeling very MMA right now.
Brett says:
January 5th 2010Oooh, I come back from being out of town and you have this amazing post! It’s perfect for me, too – one of my new years resolutions is to look for fun cardio activities to mix up with my running workouts. The two I specifically picked out are Zumba and….boxing!! There’s an LA Boxing about 8 miles from my house, too, off the same parking lot as one of the branches of my gym.
I also tried belly dancing in December – I don’t quite look like the ladies in the how-to videos :)
Dr. J says:
January 5th 2010I don’t know about boxing, but training for boxing is a great workout! I say that because when I first got interested in the fighting arts, I tried several areas. Unlike Mike Tyson’s quote, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth,” after I got punched, my plan was to get hit a lot less :-) Very nice site you have here, Joanna!
The Candid RD says:
January 5th 2010Joanna that’s SO neat!! My aunt used to be a belly dancer. Cool, huh? Yeah I found that out a few years ago and almost died. But I think it’s so neat that you gave it a whirl, I would love to do it too! And boxing is something I’ve never done, but which I’ve always considered. I Think it would be good for me to let out some frustration with a boxing glove and a big fat cushion (what are those things called?!). Thanks for the opportunity to win a free month of classes! I probably won’t try to win, but maybe in the future. For now I need to stick to one goal, yoga!
Sondra Dubas says:
January 5th 2010This is probably wimpy…but I’m trying to use WiiFit to add some new variety to my workouts. I’ve heard other people say it’s really worked for them. I’m not sure if it’s a challenging enough workout…but I like the yoga and the meditation with the candle! Would love to hear about anyone’s experience.
Yum Yucky says:
January 5th 2010ok, none in my area, but you can totally make it up to me and others by posting your YouTube belly dancing video.
That chick in the video still shot looks like she can kick some azz!
Diane Fit to the Finish says:
January 5th 2010There’s not one near me – but I’m really going to work on adding in the stability ball to my strength training workouts.
Suzanne says:
January 5th 2010As long as you don’t start going to pole dancing class, I won’t snicker!
Lauren @ Team Giles says:
January 5th 2010I think we have an LA boxing here. Oooo! did I tell you Hubs got a punching bag for Christmas?? Yeah I get to break out my Pink boxing gloves again! WOO!
Ibu says:
January 5th 2010Oh my gosh! I typed in my zip code and there’s one by me! Yah!!! I lost 35 pounds this past year and would love to lose more this year..i also want to add strength training to my routine…I mostly do cardio and i know I have to balance it up and do some strength training..2010..cardio and strength training.
Tee says:
January 5th 2010I’m going to dance!! I never went to one school dance and don’t even do it in the privacy of my own home, I’m so embarrassed by my lack of rhythm. I watch all the dance shows wishing I had those skills or even the confidence to try. But I promised myself that this year I will and my best friend and I found a new local pole dancing studio. Why not start there? Go big or go home, right?!?
Jamie Spenner says:
January 5th 2010I will drink 96 oz’s of water each day. I will not drink any sodas (including diet sodas). I will continue with my scheduled workouts and healthy eating plan. I will look for other opportunites to be more active every day. I will do the “Difficult Difficult” instead of the “Difficult Easy”
Jody - Fit at 52 says:
January 5th 2010I am doing a 30 day trial at LA Boxing right now for a review on my site. I LOVED IT!!!! Great workout & would like to continue in 2010! At 52, my first try at this & although I work out very hard, this hit places I had not before! Works out the agression too! I did both boxing & kickboxing!