Switching Up The Cardio Routine

I am currently writing this from the Queensland Covid Drive through testing line. I’m not symptomatic but in Qld at the moment we have to test on day 5 of being in the state if we have traveled from a hotspot. I have been sitting here since 7:30am. It's now 11am and I’m still a little bit away. My iced coffee and good tunes has got me through the 3.5hr wait on Christmas Eve.

Yesterday I went boxing for the first time. I went to DTV Academy in Helensvale on the Gold Coast run by Dylan “The Villain” a professional boxer who has many world rankings. I didn’t really know what to expect going in. I’ve never done anything like that before. I’m known as the pretty, delicate dancer and it was something a bit new and out of my comfort zone. Dad actually bought me the lesson for my birthday and Christmas because he wanted to give me a little bit of upper body strength. And when we start heading overseas to compete and train, he wanted me to have a little bit of upper body strength and also give me something a bit different for fitness and stamina.

I had a 6am, one on one session booked in but I had no idea what to expect or what I was walking into. I got there and met with Dylan ‘The Villain’ Andrews. He introduced me to the gym and walked me through. It’s only a fairly new gym and he has done it up very well with lots of different sections to suit everyone. I first got on the treadmill for a warm up just did some speed walking arm just to get the blood flowing. I then had my trainer walk in ready for our session. Corey Mahauariki, this big Maori guy. A bit intimidating I must admit but such a funny and nurturing guy. But he was there to give me a good workout. He handed me a pair of gloves and we headed into the boxing cage. He started by teaching me different punches, jab, cross, hook, upper cut etc. After I got the hang of that he was hitting me with some combos. Felt like a game of ‘Bop It’ trying to remember which punch was which and do it quickly enough that I kept my rhythm.

A Lot of what Corey and I spoke about was related to rhythm which I could then relate to dance, for example keeping the timing and flow of movement consistent throughout each combo. It was definitely a killer but I very much enjoyed myself, more than I expected. 

But I have to admit, I am very very sore today. My arms and forearms are really killing and so are my hands and wrists. But I think the worst is in my back and ribs from twisting and engaging my obliques so much. I've probably never used those muscles so much in my life. But I loved the experience and definitely think I’ll be adding more boxing into my cardio routine.