Boxing fast gaining popularity as a way to keep fit

Global Business

Boxing fast gaining popularity as a way to keep fit.02

The global health club industry continues to be quite healthy. One component of that industry, the sport of boxing, appears to be catching on, as a form of fitness.

CGTN’s Hendrik Sybrandy takes a closer look from the U.S. state of Colorado.

Fists were flying recently at A1 Boxing Fitness in Aurora, Colorado. Boxing and fitness. Those two words seem to go together more and more. Craig Berndt has donned gloves for the past two years now, much to his friends’ amusement.

“Ah they think I’m kind of crazy. You’re too old to be boxing. Nah…I just want to stay in shape.” Craig said.

Lots of people looking for a new way to stay in shape have experienced something similar. A number of boxing gyms have opened up in the past few years in places like Colorado.

Glenn Goodson owns A1 Boxing Fitness. He says his 40 bags weighing 70-kilograms (154 pounds) each help give his 250 members a stamina-boosting, muscle-toning, full-body workout.

They learn different ways of punching, kicking, using the elbow, the proper techniques.

“They’re going to get a lot more out of that than the treadmill because now you’re utilizing upper body strength. Movement.” said owner of A1 Boxing Fitness Glenn Goodson.

Anne Lee McRea owns 9 Round Kickboxing in Denver which features 30 minute circuit training. “So when you get in here you hit the ground running. When you’re done, it is a hard workout,” said McRea. “You know, I definitely think it’s getting more popular.

Her customers, more women than men, range from 20 to 60 years-old. But these days, even children as young as six are getting into the act. It also helps with self esteem.

Trainers help ensure participants stay safe. Eventually, some boxers make it into the ring and even on to competitions. There, conditioning and discipline are critical.

“You know I see a lot of people come and go since I’ve been here for a year so a lot of people can make it, a lot of people can’t, but it’s just a mind thing.” said boxer Rayshawn Taylor.

Boxing can also be an outlet. With some just wanting to punch something when they’ve had a bad day. “So it’s a stress release and you’re having fun just sweating and hitting as hard as you can.” added McRea.

First came fighters like Muhammad Ali. Now, it’s folks like Craig Berndt who are answering the bell, and proving that boxing belongs to the masses.