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The boxing way to health

Photo: Vipin Chandran

A hook here and a jab there Boxers training at Cochin Gymnasium

You could hear the padded thud accompanied by grunts and the occasional, urgent instructions from the trainer. Four young boxers were going through a routine boxing training regimen.

Boxing is not just a sport for the rough and tough. It is now one of the most popular fitness regimes. If it is a lean, toned, strong body you are after then boxing is the right sport for you. Gone are the days when you had to beat a punching bag by yourself. Boxing is very much a social sport, a very social fitness workout.

At the 63-year-old Cochin Gymnasium in Mattancherry, one of the oldest fitness centres in the city, boxing is only one of the fitness sports. “Here we impart training in about 16 sport or fitness items. This includes gymnastics, cycling, yoga, kabaddi, Indian style wrestling, arm wrestling, powerlifting, along with the regular fitness exercises, like in any gymnasium,” informs V. M. Shamsudeen, president of the gymnasium.

Among the 200-odd members there is a sizable number, who come to the gymnasium, take up different sport only to keep themselves fit. “A typical training session begins with a short warm-up. Skipping is one way to get warmed up. Then we follow it up with ground exercises and push-ups. This is to build power and develop stamina. For about half an hour the trainees, especially beginners, engage in mock bouts. Gradually, for those who intend to take the sport seriously, we teach them how to punch,” says M. M. Saleem, a national referee and chief instructor at the gymnasium.

Boxing is not an easy ride. It is a high intensity, full body workout that will keep you moving the whole time. When you are not throwing a punch, you are ducking and weaving. “One can always box slower if you feel your fitness is not up to the mark. But you need to keep the regimen going.”

Weight loss, increased agility and coordination, muscle tone and greater fitness are the benefits that result from boxing. “The sport is not all about arms but actually a cardio work-out for the whole body. Since it is very much a repetition work-out you will see tone rather than muscle. It also helps build reflexes, improves concentration. Those with weak wrists need to be cautious. There is no risk of getting hurt as we do not allow body-to-body contact. Boxing is actually easier for a lot of people than running, especially for those with excess weight.”

If it is rapid tone and weight loss then boxing is something you could try out. It is a full on work-out though. Perhaps you can have a taster class. Remember it is not a self-defence exercise. But at the end of the day you would be able to throw a solid punch.

Bottomline: A healthy eating plan, regular boxing classes can bring in dramatic results. And if boxing does not you there are other sports at Cochin Gymnasium, all with qualified trainers, you could try.

Downside: The building needs an overhaul. Some sports like gymnastics, boxing and wrestling are conducted outdoors. You are at the mercy of the weather gods.

Contact chief instructor M. M. Saleem at 9387177015

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