#360fit: Learning the ropes

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  • First, an apology. From a cardiovascular and technical standpoint, there are few sports out there as punishing, and in the same breathe, rewarding as boxing.

    But that’s something you don’t really appreciate until you throw yourself fists first into the Sweet Science. So to Anthony Joshua, Amir Khan, Kell Brook, and the many other professional boxers this humble author has written about, my sincerest apologies.

    For the last couple of weeks, Sport360 has been invited to train with the aim of then competing in a White Collar boxing fight night, organised by ExpatBloke Dubai with the expert assistance from trainers and coaches from ToughBoxDXB, headed up by former two-weight world title holder Paul Weir.

    When mentioning the possibility of taking part in this, my dad’s first response was “since when did they introduce headguards which protect your entire face, your modelling career will go down the swanny.”

    Of course, the only reason I was roped into competing in the first place is because very few of my esteemed colleagues fancied the opportunity.

    And for good reason. Boxing is unparalleled when it comes to helping you shed weight, improve your aerobic fitness and also your mental fortitude.

    Pugilists require a level of fitness unlike any other. As a footballer here in Dubai and a regular in the gym, there was an element of foolishness, and to be brutally honest, arrogance that my fitness would carry me through this four-week challenge should my embryonic technical skills fail me.

    Oh, so wrong. While baseline fitness wasn’t too much of an issue, it’s a different beast entirely when you have to mix throwing punches and footwork, then on top of that, actually use your brain to ensure your body works in sync.

    A mixed bag: Alex Rea working the heavy bag.

    A mixed bag: Alex Rea working the heavy bag.

    Unsurprisingly, then, the first couple of weeks of training have been dedicated to the cardio side of boxing and what has helped both myself and the group reach a new level of cardiovascular strength has been a series of brutal circuits.

    Trust me, the ones we’ve been doing are like nothing you’ve ever done before. The main one of which starts with 20 press-ups, three short sprints before then adding in a series of exercises on each return from the run.

    So, 20 press-ups, three sprints; 20 press-ups, 40 hill climbers and three sprints; 20 press-ups, 40 hills climbers, 15 burpees, three sprints; 20 press-ups, 40 hill climbers, 15 burpees, 20 knee jumps, three sprints.

    Think that’s it? You then go back in descending order and start taking away the exercises which have just been added.

    By the end, your legs are quivering and your unshakable confidence wilted. But it doesn’t end there. We follow it up by strapping on the gloves and brushing up on the most crucial aspect of boxing; footwork.

    For someone like me, who struggles at the best of times to synchronize my body for a dance move, these sessions prove most difficult.

    Thankfully, though, the coaches are persistent but patient. There are a myriad of reasons why there will be seven other fighters lining up to compete on October 21 at Le Meridien.

    While for myself, it’s an exploration of a sport written about but never really experienced first-hand for others it’s to lose weight or to prove they have the mental fortitude to go through this grueling challenge.

    So three times a week, at the Al Noon Sport (Al Quoz), 20 or more of us are put through our paces. Some are there with the end goal of actually competing in their first boxing bout others purely to shed some extra baggage.

    All of us, though, have been united by the experience of having out strength and cardio put firmly under the microscope.

    After October 21, I’ll have done enough press-ups, burpees and sit-ups for a considerably long time. If nothing else, though, I’ll have a deeper appreciation for the professionals.

    For the remaining weeks, ensure to follow my progress on our Snapchat (Sport_360), Facebook and Instagram pages. At some point, I’ll be needing Sport360 readers to assist in both a nickname and walk-out music.

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