This is the workout that’s keeping Cheryl and Jourdan Dunn in shape
Boxing may have long been synonymous with sweaty, aggressive men attempting to emulate Rocky Balboa but, actually, it's the latest and greatest way to get fit.
Shane Collins was quick to catch onto the wellness trend and opened Kobox - a boutique boxing gym in Chelsea. The 50-minute, high intensity classes that incorporate all the fundamentals of boxing quickly amassed a plethora of famous fans, from Cheryl and Ellie Goulding to Ashley Roberts and Jourdan Dunn.
So what's all the fuss about? KOBOX has changed the game in the way it delivers a high energy, gut-busting workout.
Firstly, the trainers themselves are epic (and there's a spot of eye candy in the form of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's brother, Toby, and Jourdan Dunn's brother, Antoine), who guide you step-by-step through the fundamentals of boxing, from your footwork all the way through to your punches.
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They have tailor-made aqua bags (so no chipped nails!), and the room is dimly lit so if you want to collapse in a heap in the corner, no one will see or judge you.
To make things simple, KOBOX has devised a ‘Punch By Numbers’ approach to help you get the most out of your class. In 5-10-minute rounds, your KOBOX trainer will guide you through the numbered combinations. And just to make sure you’re on track, the combos will be projected on the wall for you, too. Once you’ve done your first round on the bag, it’s time to head to your wall station for a feast of gruelling exercises. At your station, you'll be smashing down medicine balls, squatting, pushing, pulling and jumping.
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The Chelsea studio became so popular that they decided to open another venue in the City and now that's become so popular, they'll be opening another studio in Marylebone.
Make like Cheryl and get your ass down there now.
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Scroll down to read all about the fitness trends of 2018...
iStockHandstand training
Master Trainer, Physiotherapist and certified Precision Nutrition coach, Tim Blakey, creator of PR1MEBODY training app www.pr1mebody.com, maintains that handstand training is one of this year's hottest fitness trends.
The concept is part of callisthenic-based training, a body-weight training where resistance and strength is gained from using your own body weight in various poses.
From chin ups, to handstands, huge demands on the abs, and single leg (pistol) squats – callisthenics is the discipline that will train everything, provided client care and quality of technique are high on your coach’s agenda.
iStockMindful boxing
2018 will see many continuing to choose exercise as a stress-reliever, but will also see gym goers turning to alternative forms of exercise which enables them to learn a skill at the same time; specifically boxing.
Boxing classes, like those at BXR, teaches immense skill and discipline, whilst helping to improve confidence levels and boost mood. Boxing has attracted a growing constituency of fitness enthusiasts as it caters for all ages and abilities and helps to provide a rush of endorphins, a natural mood booster, which in turn makes you feel happier and less stressed.
iStockDNA fitness testing
Know your genes, change your life. Contrary to popular belief, science is now proving that nobody is, or ever was, bound to their genes. Through DNA fitness testing, fitness goers can check in on their microbiome activity and tailor fitness regimes and nutrition plans to optimise healthy living whilst constantly re-programming their genetic identity. With a need for quick fitness gains, 2018 will see a spike in this sort of testing, according to 38 Degrees North Retreat.
Ludovic Rossignol, Balance Festival founder, says: “Being able to fine-tune our bodies to ensure that we get the very most out of our workouts and food is an amazing development in modern fitness. As a nation, we are increasingly looking for bigger, faster improvements to our workouts and overall fitness, this is where DNA Fitness Testing really comes into play to enable our success.”
VersaClimbing
Love spinning? It's time to get off your bike in favour of VersaClimber classes. Incorporating the upper and lower body, the Versaclimber burns calories, improves fitness and increases strength. ‘Climb to the Beat’ from Sweat by BXR is Europe’s first VersaClimber based group exercise class. Race you to the top?
iStockSlacklining
While it might look simple, comprising of a tightrope elevated just a few inches off the ground, holding your balance on a slackline is no easy feat. This workout really engages the core and can be done anywhere (within reason!), making it the perfect park exercise. Just grab a line, gather your mates and set it up between two trees. It’s guaranteed Instagram-gold too, where do we sign up?
iStockAnimalistic workouts
It’s time to get primal with your training, according to the experts at Kobox. Try super-trainer Miranda's classes, where you'll find functional training with an animalistic twist. She told GLAMOUR: "Primal exercises are not only challenging but extremely fun. It takes my clients out their comfort zones of bicep curls and squats and they get to explore what they're bodies are actually designed to do. This type of training is great for full body strength. With correct form, everything is engaged, especially your core so you're getting your abs firing the whole time. Think bear crawls, inch worms, spider push ups, and loads of plyometric exercises. I promise after a class like this you'll come out feeling like an Amazonian queen with a hint of super woman.'
