My Personal Trainer Course
by John 'The Emu' Heaton
Boxercise PT course, 8/10/06
- Nigel 'The Dark Destroyer' Benn
- Rocky 'The Italian Stallion' Balboa
- Ricky 'The Hitman' Hatton
- John 'The Emu' Heaton
I don't think my old Rugby nickname endears me to boxing, but after completing my Boxercise Personal
Trainer course, I certainly felt like one.
The PT course is the 3rd Boxercise Course I have done, having completed my first course back in 1999
and adding Kickboxercise earlier this year.
At my studio, Absolution Active in Wakefield, Boxercise and Kickboxercise classes have always been
popular amongst my clients, but with my new skills learned on what is an 'advanced' course, they
are all in for a real treat over the coming months.
Taken to the Edge
As the instructor Andy told us, this course is designed to take you to the very edge of 'boxing'. It's as
near to the real thing without actually having full contact sparring. Advanced footwork, combined with
defensive manoeuvres, really made this a day to remember.
Luckily (or not) for me, I was regularly paired with a 'real boxer' for some of the drills and the
intensity of just three minutes work gave me a brief glimpse of what it must be like in the ring.
The inclusion of defence really took it to another level. I liken boxing it to a game of chess (but being
punched in the face whilst playing). There is so much to think about. Every movement has a consequence.
Testing in Many Ways
Just to get through the day itself you have to be fit. Other than 30 minutes for lunch and the odd break
to make notes, the whole day was practical, either boxing or holding the pads (I was only two weeks out
from my Natural Bodybuilding British Finals too, so I was severely carbohydrate depleted).
The day finished with a 40 minute written exam. 70% is the pass mark but 80% is needed to be considered
for the prestigious 'Advanced Instructor' status.
On to a Winner
On the whole, the day was very enjoyable and has certainly spiced up my Personal Training sessions and
my classes. My clients love Boxercise and with my new qualification I have at least two years worth of
material to take them to greater levels of fitness.
On a personal level, Boxercise has been instrumental
in my preparations for the NPA British Finals - which I won. I am now using it as my main cardio
training for the UIBBN World Championships on the 4th November.
John Heaton, October 2006
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