As a trainer I am always ready to push my own physical fitness by taking on new challenges and trying new activities. In common with most trainers I’ve been on numerous courses in my quest to embrace new information, techniques and training methods. Ultimately I hope the time and financial investment I make in attending such courses directly benefits my clients and improves the service I offer.

So this weekend I attended the Boxercise Instructor Course. The Boxercise website describes their training method as “Combining boxing and exercise in a great fun, stress busting activity to suit everyone who wants to enjoy boxing training without getting hit or the elitism of some so called purists.”

Let’s be honest; I consider myself pretty fit. I train hard, I eat right (most of the time) I incorporate a healthy balance of high intensity cardiovascular training with longer endurance work. I include power and explosive exercises and strength work. I work with free weights, kettlebells, TRX, my own bodyweight and I think about functionality. So you might be forgiven for thinking I’ve got it covered. Nope, I missed something, and this is a shining example of the adage “You only get what you train for”. So whilst I incorporate lots of different approaches with my own training I don’t “kick” and I don’t “punch”. Now after a weekend of both my body is in a state of shock!

During the first day we were taught the eight punches, accompanying footwork and movement which form the foundation for a Boxercise session or class. Once we’d grasped the basics of correct and safe technique we moved on to working with the focus pads. Most of the instructors on the course were in the same position as me with little or no prior boxing experience. This wasn’t a problem and, as the course tutors explained, this is sometimes better; experienced boxers often find it difficult to re-learn Boxercise techniques which are primarily aimed at beginners. After a full and long day with several hours working on the pads learning how to punch correctly, spot faults and coach effectively the moment of truth arrived – assessment time. We were split into pairs and observed on our ability to demonstrate, coach, teach and instruct correct Boxercise technique. The tutors kept the results to themselves whilst they then put us through a pretty hardcore Boxercise class. The tutors showcased their own unique approaches and incorporated circuits and coaching on pads alongside some tough boxaerobics. Whilst I do not intend to teach Boxercise in a class format this sample class gave me plenty of ideas about how to deliver a really effective and fun session to my PT clients incorporating Boxercise. Finally we were given the outcome of our assessments and, to my relief, I passed!

I decided to go back for more punishment, the second day, to take the KickBoxercise course which focuses on elbow, knee strikes and kicks. The format of the day was pretty similar to the previous day with several hours practising and perfecting techniques working on the pads and strike shields before taking part in another assessment. Again, I was delighted that I passed.

So, can all my clients expect to see Boxercise creeping into their one-to-one sessions? No, not yet. You’d have to be stupid, arrogant or have a total disregard for a client’s welfare to think you can go on a one day course – or in this case, two days – master a new technical skill and then introduce it to them. Whilst I may have passed the assessment I now need to practice, perfect and refine my own technique so that I can be a credible coach. This is pretty much the approach I have taken with any course I have attended. This is also the same advice I give to new fitness students on courses I tutor.

Overall, it was a great training weekend and one I was pleased to have had the opportunity to attend. My gloves, pads and shields are on order and a couple of long suffering family members are on stand-by as “guinea-pigs” to hone my coaching skills on. I’m anxious to get going, whilst the course if fresh in my mind, but first I have to let my body get over the shock and trauma unleashed from the training weekend!

Tags: Boxercise, boxercise in Bognor Regis, boxercise personal training, Boxercise West Sussex, KickBoxercise