My lordy. It’s the
PENULTIMATE day! There’s only one day left now and then I’m finito, finished,
terminé. I’m not sure how I feel about that. I guess
tomorrow’s the big day really so let’s not over-analyse just now.
So. I’m a fan of boxing. I
already knew this way before the 80 days started. When I first started out with
Instructor Francis from Day 16 Boxing, it was with thai boxing at first. But as
time passed, it became more just boxing (something to do with my kicking being
far inferior to my boxing – as confirmed again on Day 66 Kickboxing). But
because I’d done a little thai boxing before, it was a class that I’d put into
the I’ll-do-later-because-it’s-not-a-new-Fitivity (for me) bucket. But between
the end of the 80 days sneaking up on me and a few people asking why I’ve not
reviewed thai boxing yet, the time has come.
So today was Thai Boxing. If
you read Day 72 Barre Fit, you’ll know that today (technically Wednesday) was a
double-up day and I tried the Thai Boxing class before Barre Fit at My Fitness
Boutique.
Taught by Instructor Tassi
(or Sensei Tassi) and his co-/in-training/sub-instructor, Antonio (it wasn’t
really clear), we started the class with a few stretches and then short,
intense mini-circuit – burpees, mountain climbers, push-ups, star jumps and
such like. None of this easy warm-up, ease into it gently malarkey (the
stretches don’t count) – it was into the class and bam.
This pretty much set the
tone for the rest of the class. We were soon paired up and Instructor Tassi
would show us a mini combo which we practiced in our pairs. Combos varied from
punching, straight kicks, roundhouse kicks, spinning kicks (sounds impressive
(and looks impressive if done fast and well), but
step-slowly-and-turn-while-trying-to-kick-pad-target-kicks is probably a more
accurate description). One exercise involved partner 1 wrapping hands around
partner 2’s neck, twisting them around and kneeing partner 2 (in the face, were
it a real fight) while partner 2 would hold pads above partner 1’s knees and
keep pushing their head/neck up. Some might be adverse to being quite so close
to another person, particularly when both are dripping with sweat, mildly
smelly and are probably strangers but, well, some just have to get over it. At
least you have been warned now.
Coming in at 12th
on the calories-burnt-per-minute leaderboard, it’s
a very good cardio workout, combined with strength and skill. Although not in a
dojo or boxing-dedicated space, top marks for making the most of the space and
given the variety of classes at MFB, it’s all good!
The Need To Know:
- Where: My Fitness Boutique (http://www.myfitnessboutique.co.uk)
- Nearest Station: West Hampstead (8mins)
- When: Different classes 7 days a week
- How Much: Intro offer of £25/5 classes else £10/single class or various
packages for 5 or 10 classes, monthly, 3-monthly and yearly.
- Special Note: You need to book classes in advance but there is an easy to use
online system. Also, no contract and no monthly direct debits – you just pay
for what you use!
The Want to Know:
- Who’s it For: For those who like more technical boxing
- Sweat Scale: 8/10.
- Strength / Cardio / Flexi
/ Tone: Cardio and strength (and
skill)
- Complexity: 7/10.
- Fun Factor: 8/10
- Changing Facilities: A couple of showers and a toilet.
- Instructor Inspiration: 7/10. Enthusiastic about the art!
The Stats:
- Total Time: 25mins. I need to go on a wrist diet! Class was an hour.
- Calories Burnt: 161. At
6.44 cal/min, it’s the numero 12 calories-burnt-per-minute Fitivity. One away
from Day 16 Boxing, unsurprisingly.
- Average Heart Rate: 125
- Max Heart Rate: 161
 |
| Grr! |
