Alright all you New YearB次元官网网址檚 resolutioners, cancel your Bowflex order on Amazon and listen closely, because IB次元官网网址檓 only going to say this B次元官网网址� to be realistic probably more than once, but still. Listen.

You should join boxing.

And IB次元官网网址檓 not just saying this because I want more people in class to hide how heavily IB次元官网网址檓 breathing either, which if youB次元官网网址檙e wondering, sounds a little bit like Darth Vadar if he smoked a pack of cigarettes before going on a 10k run.

B次元官网网址淜oosshhh, keesshh, kooossshhh, keesshh,B次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檓 not kidding.

Sometimes if the coaches get us working extremely hard, I will tilt my head up to the ceiling, breathe in through my nose, and let out a deep, ugly wail like IB次元官网网址檓 Dwayne Johnson fighting off Jaws in a movie scene that doesnB次元官网网址檛, but probably should, exist.

Dramatic? Maybe. Necessary? Completely.

If I still havenB次元官网网址檛 scared you out of joining boxing in this, or any of my previous articles, keep listening. And remember that if I can make it through these classes for the past five weeks, so can you, and my coach, Ellen Connor, agrees.

B次元官网网址淎nyone can box, regardless of their gender, weight, age, size, fitness level or abilities. ItB次元官网网址檚 for absolutely everyone,B次元官网网址� said Connor. B次元官网网址淪o donB次元官网网址檛 be intimidated, itB次元官网网址檚 not about beating each other down, itB次元官网网址檚 about building each other up.B次元官网网址�

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Connor said when she first started boxing, it was mostly with men and it was all about being tough and proving yourself, so she wanted to change that.

B次元官网网址淚 wanted to make boxing accessible to everyone, regardless of their skills or their background, anybody can do this,B次元官网网址� said Connor. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e learned that itB次元官网网址檚 about so much more than being tough.B次元官网网址�

Connor starts every class off with a short warm up to get our blood flowing. This usually consists of doing intervals of skipping rope, with exercises such as push-ups, lunges, squats, or shadow boxing in between for about five minutes.

After this, we usually do some punching bag work, which includes intervals of various punches, with exercises in between. If your heart wasnB次元官网网址檛 already pumping from the warm up, it will be now.

In the later stages of class, we will work on things like punching someoneB次元官网网址檚 hands while they hold pads, footwork, how to take a punch, how to dodge a punch, how to move around the ring, and sometimes sparring.

We will also do different work out circuits on certain days. This can include anything from basic ab, arm and leg exercises such sit ups, leg lifts, squats, lunges, and push ups, to practicing punching with one of the coaches, or dodging a tennis ball to work on getting out of the way of punches. It changes each day depending on the class.

If youB次元官网网址檙e lucky, you could come to a class where we do a work out called The Circle of Death, IB次元官网网址檓 going to leave the details of that out because I think IB次元官网网址檝e petrified you enough for one article.

Relax though, because if thereB次元官网网址檚 anyone who could die from The Circle of Death, it would be me. And I havenB次元官网网址檛, yet. So let that give you a glimmer of hope.

As emotionally scarring as I make it sound, boxing has brought nothing but positivity in to my life, and has made me both mentally and physically stronger.

Every class is tailored to who is there, so even if you have never set foot in a gym before, you will not be left in the dust.

Five weeks ago, I thought B次元官网网址渘o way. I could never do that, boxing is not for meB次元官网网址�, but look at me now. With some baby muscles peaking through my overcooked-spaghetti arms and a lot more confidence, I can only agree with Ellen when I say boxing truly is for absolutely everyone.

So come over to the dark side, a.k.a the Sooke Boxing Club, and join us. B次元官网网址渒ooshhh, kkeesshhh.B次元官网网址�

To get involved, contact Ellen Connor at 250-642-7111.

B次元官网网址⑩赌⑩赌�

Dawn (Killer) Gibson writes every other week on her exploits at the Sooke Boxing Club, as part of the All-Female Boxing Challenge.