Saturday, May 10, 2008
Boxing: Another option to stay fit and healthy
YOUNG and active professionals have found a new outlet to stay fit. From treadmills and weights, they have channeled their interests to a new form of exercise—boxing!
“Sa una, muhangos gyud ko, now, my stamina and breathing is already very good,” said Henry Dy, 38.
Aside from improved stamina, proponents of boxing fitness have also picked up a few good habits.
“I feel healthy, especially on the cardiovascular aspect,” said Bowen Ma Ong, 35, while 33-year-old Chris Vincent Aliman said, “I gained discipline, like on my eating habits.”
These professionals found their comfort zones at the ALA boxing Gym in Banilad and saw in boxing, the perfect regular exercise to maintain physical fitness.
During their gym sessions, they undergo a series of patterned exercises that follow specific time. They also have personal trainers to guide them.
“First we do jogging as our warm up, and then do circuit training,” said Aliman, who has been boxing for one year and three months now.
Aliman started at the gym out of curiosity, “I was curious what the sport is all about, then I realized it’s a very good exercise,” he said.
Later, he was motivated to continue because of the benefits to his physique.
“Boxing is a wholistic sport, it exercises your cardiovascular, coordination, strength and endurance,” he said.
On the other hand, Dy, who has been with the gym since 2006, has found the perfect weight reduction exercise in boxing.
Convenient
“Before, I used to weigh 277 pounds but now, I am already 225,” he said.
He also added that the facilities make the exercises convenient.
“Unlike other sports, you can do it alone, with the right facilities,” he said.
On the other hand, Ong, in his two years in the gym, shares that boxing is not just all about closed fists.
Coordination
“In boxing, what we always see is the punch, but it’s not just all about that, it’s about the coordination of your body when you deliver the punch,” he said.
Dy has been lifting weights for 10 years now, and realized boxing could give more benefits than his usual exercise.
“In weight lifting, only your muscles get the benefits, but in boxing, your body coordination is improved.”
He also said his abilities in boxing may be his edge in defense. “Now, I can defend myself”.
And it’s not only the men who take up the sport as women also train to punch their stress out, to stay fit and get relief.
“I imagine my stress at work when I punch,” said Jessica Aspillaga, a newbie in the gym. “I also do kick-boxing before, so I don’t mind being with the men.”
She originally came from Manila, and is just assigned here in the city for work. She chose boxing as her regular exercise to be different.
“It is also not a boring activity” she added.
Although they took up the sport to stay fit, these weekend boxers, from their training in the sport, agree on one thing—the life of a boxer is not easy.
“Mutaas gyud imung respeto sa boxers” said Aliman.
Despite spending their free time pummeling the bags or the mitts, don’t expect the three to change careers soon.
“I encourage boxing as an exercise, but not as a career,” Dy added. (UP Mass Comm Intern Karen Nacario)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (May 10, 2008 issue)
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