52 Exercises: #14 Boxercise to Find Your Inner Strength

52 Exercises: #14 Boxercise and the Strength of a Woman

It takes strength to get up at 5am but I make the effort to get to boxercise class at the beach for 5.30am.

The sky is dark, livid and bruised. I feel a bit like that myself and tired too. So tired. Yet also victorious because I’m here and I’m happy a new day is dawning.

I’ve been to this class before and boxercise feels like my dirty little secret. When I go to boxercise my inner hippy shuffles off to a corner to meditate while I throw punches as hard and fast as I can. Which is not very hard or fast at all compared to the other the people in the class.

Unlike me, the fitness imposter, I’m sure they are the type of people that pay rugby, run marathons and compete in Iron Men events for fun. Unlike me, whose eyes are sleepy and swollen, they seem to be wide awake, already engaging in happy camaraderie, constantly gibing and joking with each other.

I can’t even laugh, let alone make a joke, but it feels good to be surrounded by people who can do both.

boxercise-518

Scott our cheerful leader runs through routines and keeps us focused: 50 punches, 50 single jabs, 50 uppercuts and 50 hooks. We do that three times then he says we’re warmed up. That’s not a joke, it really was just the beginning.

The class is exhausting and the boxing starts to get more complicated from then on. Jab, jab, jab, cross, jab, hook, hook. Run back, squat, run forwards, squat. Now do that three more times.

But wait, there’s more, this time interspersed with stair runs, push ups and what Scott calls a ‘hover rest’. It’s a basic plank where you rest on your elbows and toes keeping your torso in a straight line. Sounds easy until you try it and definitely not restful at all.

I can just about keep up with the punching routines and squats but it all falls apart on the stair runs and push ups. I lag behind on the steps, don’t go right to the bottom and do the push ups on my knees. I feel good about cheating because I want to toughen up a bit, not kill myself. Just being here is enough. I don’t have anything else to prove except that I can show up.

Later on my arms feel shaky and  my shoulders ache even though we did some stretching at the end of the class. I feel weak but I know I’m getting stronger. My inner strength may be running low but my body strength and fitness levels have never been higher.

I might feel tired and old but that inner strength is hiding under the surface. Maybe life is too easy for me right now so my inner strength is lying low, saving itself for days when I’ll need it more.

That inner strength is still there. That strong woman who can do anything, go anywhere and be counted on any-time is still inside me somewhere and one day we’ll be reunited.

Until then working on my outer strength seems like the only thing to do.

And maybe showing you this inner weakness is a sign of strength.

I don’ t know about that for sure but I know I can run further, punch harder and squat lower these days.

For now that’s all that really matters. For now that’s what I’m doing and for now that’s good enough.

—————————————————————————————————–

Boxercise Exercise Review

Cost: $10. Boxercise classes with Scott Braby are every Wednesday at Sunshine Beach Surf Club at 5.30am. Get there five minutes early and meet the gang in the car park or walk around the back of the surf club – the workouts are held on a grassy patch overlooking the beach. Scott organises other fitness classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings too – same time, same place – so drop him an email if you live in Noosa or are visiting and want to join a fast-paced, fun, friendly fitness class.

Time Exercising: One hour

Average Heart Rate: 113 bpm but felt like a lot higher.

Peak Heart Rate: 170 bpm but felt like a lot higher.

Fun Factor: 7/10

Fear Factor: 4/10

Post-exercise Glow: 8/10.

52 exercises shadows

—————————————————————————————————–

Thank You for Reading

If you’re enjoying Get In the Hot Spot and the 52 Exercises series check out more from the 52 Exercise quest here and take a moment to share this post on Facebook, Twitter, by email or wherever you please. Thank you.

Get the weekly newsletter – If you’d like email updates from Get In the Hot Spot click here to subscribe now. You won’t get an email every time I update the blog but I’ll email you weekly with the best stories.

Let’s stay in touch – I’d love if you circle me on Google+. Thank you.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

10 Comments

  1. se7en April 3, 2013 at 12:22 pm - Reply

    Just wow… you are incredible… I love this line from your post: “That strong woman who can do anything, go anywhere and be counted on any-time is still inside me somewhere and one day we’ll be reunited.” I think I am going to bottle it… the person who once did triathlons and then had eight kids must surely be in there somewhere… somewhere!!! I thought I was doing well getting us all to the beach by 8am, but anything that starts at 5:30… sigh, talk about out of reach!!!

    • Annabel Candy April 3, 2013 at 1:06 pm - Reply

      Hi Se7en,

      Well I was by myself – I sneak out while everyone is sleeping. I wouldn’t get there until lunchtime ever. You’re a legend. First you did a triathlon then an octathlon with those eight kids. That’s incredible.

  2. Marcy April 3, 2013 at 12:49 pm - Reply

    Another great post. I really like how you blend description with self-reflection.

  3. Sharon Duarte April 3, 2013 at 9:53 pm - Reply

    I am really enjoying following your 52 exercises, and am inspired by your perseverance. Your honesty is refreshing and encouraging. I am looking forward to the next one…would housework/household count?

    • Annabel Candy April 4, 2013 at 7:05 pm - Reply

      Hi Sharon,

      Oh I would definitely count it – but I do so little housework and spend most of my time trying to avoid it. You should get a heart rate monitor on and see how many calories you burn off doing housework. Actually I should – it might motivate me to do some!

  4. Ali Manning April 4, 2013 at 6:01 am - Reply

    Wow, this sounds like a grueling workout – I was exhausted just reading about it. Way to go for showing up AND completing the class!

    • Annabel Candy April 4, 2013 at 7:06 pm - Reply

      Hi Ali,

      Lol, thank you :) I had to have a very early night….

  5. natasha April 15, 2013 at 11:27 am - Reply

    Wow this sounds great where is the class?

    • Annabel Candy April 15, 2013 at 11:39 am - Reply

      Hi Natasha,

      Boxercise is every Wednesday, Sunshine Beach Surf Club at 5.30am. Scott the teacher also does a class same time and place on Tues and Thurs. More toning and fitness I think. I love his classes but they are hard work – not great for beginners but if you have a reasonable level of fitness and want to get fitter and have a laugh come along.

      Let me know so I can make sure I’m there too – we’d love to see you :)

Leave A Comment