New year, new you. Right? Every year we start with the greatest intentions, but often, we hardly make it past January.
I was never what you’d call a “sporty kid” at school. I stayed far away from physical activities and accepted from an early age that I was just not “athletic”.
That was until five years ago, at age 33, when I decided to join a gym as part of my new year’s resolution. I recklessly jumped in and locked myself in with a year-long contract and a personal trainer. To everyone’s surprise, myself included, I stuck to it. Spring, summer, autumn, winter – I showed up and loved every minute of it.
This newfound confidence pushed me to try other activities I never even thought I’d attempt. I signed up for yoga, tried surfing, bought a bicycle, a basketball, and a skateboard, and got into fencing. It was like a light switch went on and illuminated a whole new world for me.
I was close to reaching a new fitness peak when the pandemic hit. Then I went into what I call “armadillo mode”. I rolled myself into a ball and waited until it was safe to come out again. It was tough to get back into the swing of things, and when my trainer moved on in his career, I followed suit and ended my gym contract in March of 2022.
Nothing could tempt me off the couch, and soon I slumped back into being unfit. Then while scrolling through Instagram in November last year, I saw a post about The Fort gym. Based in Linden, Johannesburg, with a newly opened branch in Wale Street, Cape Town, the private gym promised an “unpretentious” and “judgment-free training space”. That’s exactly what I needed. The Fort offers strength and conditioning training, but the combat training caught my eye.
Apart from fencing, I’d never done any other kind of combat sport, and I was curious to learn more. It took one session in the boxing ring, and I was hooked.
I immediately signed up for regular boxing training sessions, and I haven’t looked back. Close to three months later, I feel like a new person. Training with coach Liam Gillespie I’ve unlocked a new level of fitness I never thought I’d be able to reach.
It’s no secret that boxers are elite athletes who have to be in peak condition, so it makes sense that climbing into the boxing ring will turn your body into a machine. But it has some other perks as well.
Here are 7 reasons why I think boxing is the perfect way to get fit this year:
1. Learn something new
There’s nothing I love more than discovering something new. A new book, a new movie, a new community, a new sport. I knew nothing about boxing when I stepped into The Fort gym in November last year. Since then, it’s been a constant learning process. Every movement, every punch, and every step has a purpose and reason behind it. Starting at zero and slowly educating yourself about a world you never knew existed before is probably one of the most satisfying things you can do. The more you learn. The better you get. Challenge yourself to do something new.
2. A community
Putting yourself out of your comfort zone also means you get to meet new people. Boxing, especially at a private gym, invites you into a new community of people you might not have ever met in any other circumstances. What I like about private gyms is that they’ve got personality. It’s not a copy-and-paste franchise mega gym. There is no judgment, and everyone is eager to assist where you need help. You feel a lot more comfortable to make mistakes and learn from them.
3. Clearing your mind
Once you get in the ring, something extraordinary happens. You go into an extremely focused zone. You must be wholly present and in the moment. While planning your next move, you’re also anticipating your opponent’s next step, and you’re trying to remember how to strike and defend while also remembering to breathe. There really is no time or space to think about anything else. Every time I’m done with a session, I feel like I climb out of a bubble – a world where nothing else exists except my fists and feet. It’s an incredible feeling. I’m a thinker and often suffer from anxiety when I overthink. Boxing clears the mind and allows you to get away from everything else.
4. It doesn’t feel like exercise
If, like me, you get bored quickly with using the same machines and doing the same workouts day after day, then boxing is the perfect escape. Whether learning technique in the ring or conditioning outside the ropes, it never feels laborious. It feels more like you’re preparing for something. Everything you’re doing strengthens your body to become the best possible fighter. It’s like building blocks being put together, but you don’t even notice it.
5. Self-defense
It goes without saying that if you know how to throw a punch and how to avoid a hook, you’re already far more able to defend yourself than ever before. You don’t want to jump into random street fights just because you spent a few rounds in the ring, but when forced to protect yourself without any other way of escaping, your fists will instantly rise to your cheekbones, ready to rumble.
6. Feel good afterwards
The best feeling in the world is walking out of the gym after a good boxing session. It’s a unique feeling to describe. There’s a euphoric moment of accomplishment and a hint of excitement that you just did something you never thought possible. There’s more confidence in your walk and you feel like you’ve accomplished something.
7. Affordable equipment
Lastly, I was surprised at the affordability of most boxing equipment. You can start out on the lower end of the price spectrum and upgrade later. My first pair of gloves and a wrap for each hand came in under R500. That doesn’t come close to the amount I spent on a fencing helmet and blade. You don’t need your own equipment to start. Most gyms can provide you with the kit to get you started, and once you’re 100% sure it’s for you, you can jump in and set yourself up slowly. Private gyms also offer various price packages and monthly subscriptions. No deposits and no locking yourself in for a whole year.
If you’re looking for a way to start your fitness journey this year. I highly recommend you give boxing a go.
