Extreme Boxing class a workout that kicks butt

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This article was published 09/10/2002 (8438 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MAUREEN Black is offering women a workout that kicks butt, but not literally.

Black, a certified fitness instructor and boxing coach, says she has combined the best of both worlds in her Extreme Boxing workout.

“Extreme Boxing is a great self-esteem booster,” says Black. “It encourages a strong sense of self, strength and potential. People tell me all the time that there’s nothing like it.”

While boxing and martial arts-type moves have recently entered the fitness class arena, Black says her program is different because it incorporates the discipline and techniques of boxing training into a one-hour workout, rather than just added a few boxing punches to an aerobics class.

And while fitness videos like the recently popular Billy Blanks workout have increased awareness of fitness program potential, she says her own program is different because her moves are more controlled and less dangerous.

Black has been a fitness enthusiast for over 20 years. She remembers the early days of aerobics, when leg warmers and high impact moves were all the rage.

“That was the Jane Fonda era. There wasn’t much variation. Everyone was bouncing off the ceiling,” says the River Heights resident.

Then aerobics turned to low impact moves. About 10 years ago, the step was introduced, while boxing moves began to emerge in workouts six or seven years ago.

“Boxing is now becoming even more popular,” says Black, who began training with her brother, Harry Black, seven years ago.

Harry was a North American middleweight amateur champion in the early 1980s, and currently runs the Pan Am Boxing & Athletic Club.

“I started working out with him and I realized what an amazing workout was involved, and just how fit you really have to be to box,” she says.

Black started with a small women-only boxing class, held after hours at the club. She presented boxing training in a one-hour fitness class format. Unlike traditional boxing training, where there are three minutes of activity followed by a one-minute break (simulating the rounds in the ring), Black decided to go all out for one hour for a total body workout. She would include boxing moves like skipping and hitting the bag, in combination with other exercises like pushups and lifting weights for a total body workout.

“In the gym, boxers go by the bell. Three minutes on, one off. They could be hitting the bag, shadow boxing, skipping. We took the one minute out and kept going. That’s what we do,” she says.

When the Pan Am club moved to its current location on McDermot Avenue, Black started a co-ed class with 10 people. Now, due to popular demand, she is looking at setting up her own studio space.

Black currently teaches three classes of her boxing fitness program per week at Court Sports Fitness Club, 1400 Taylor Ave. She also holds a weekly boxing club at Crescentwood Community Centre, 1170 Corydon Ave.

“We are boxing for fitness, not for sport,” she says.

“We learn the technique, how to hit, to punch, skip. We get a general feeling of what it could be like (to box), but it’s less intimidating. Anyone can walk into my class, and work at their own speed.”

At Crescentwood, Black has her boxing club participants get right into the ring and learn defense moves. They also learn to wrap properly, and wear proper gloves. With the proper footwear and controlled punching technique so you don’t stress your joints, Black says the risk of injury is minimal.

“This is a great workout. There is the resistance of hitting the bag. The skipping leans you out. If you work hard, you will get results,” she says.

“One girl told me her husband loved what she did to her body.”

It’s also a great stress release, says Black, and an opportunity to challenge the body and mind.

For more information on Extreme Boxing classes or the boxing club, call Maureen Black at 489-3532.

PHOTO LINDA VERMETTE/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS