Boxing Out Of My Comfort Zone.
Tags: Womens Boxing, Boxing, Fitness, Self Worth, Self Esteem

If you’ve read my previous blog then you’ll already know I’m a mum of 2, approaching 40 and of an average fitness level (though don’t ask me to run for the bus). I’m currently taking part in a self imposed pledge to get out of my comfort zone and try out different exercise classes. My aim isn’t just to get physically fit my main interest is how the classes affect me mentally. I want to encourage others to get out of their comfort zone and join a class that suits them. Each sport offers something different both physically and emotionally but sometimes it’s the mental effects that are the most surprising and rewarding.

If you were wondering this is a photo of me and Rosie Landragin of CBK Boxing. I’m the woman on the right of the photo (I will not be denied my right to wear pink if I want).

I haven’t always been particularly confident and sometimes the idea of even turning up to a class alone, not knowing what to expect or what is expected of me could be so daunting I wouldn’t even try. So I’m getting out of my comfort zone to show you that you can do it too and that you’ll be glad you did.

Boxing really wasn’t something I’d ever considered, it really wasn’t even on my radar as a sport I could take part in. A few months back I had taken my eldest son to my local boxing gym, CBK Boxing. I had heard that boxing could be great for children for their fitness, confidence and discipline. So if I already knew that boxing was potentially a great sport for kids to get into then why on earth had I never considered it could be a great sport for me too. I think because as a mum we get very used to putting ourselves last and everyone else’s needs before our own. As a woman boxing has a very male image.

For a few weeks I sat watching the instructors with the children (both boys and girls) and was so impressed with the way they encouraged the children and praised them for their personal best, not because their hook was better than the previous child, not because they were better than everyone else at push ups but because they did their personal best. So if boxing could be so good at promoting self confidence in kids then what about me?

Queue Rosie. Rosie Landragin is joint owner at CBK Boxing and one of the loveliest people I’ve ever met. I got chatting to Rosie about the ethos of the gym and how promoting self confidence and self esteem is central to what they offer their clients. Most specifically I talked to Rosie about women and children that come to the gym. Rosie’s focus really is on the whole person and the power of boxing to really help with many mental wellbeing issues. When you help heal the mind then the physical benefits will follow.

A fundamentally unhappy person with low self esteem or self worth who seeks to make themselves feel better by changing their physical appearance, will often still struggle with how they view themselves regardless of their size or how toned they are. Someone who starts to build their confidence and self worth from the inside out , through whichever means is right for them, therapy, medication, exercise or a combination of methods, will often go on to make better choices. Better choices with what food they put into their body, the time they take to exercise and time for rest they start realise they really are worth spending that time and effort on. For each good choice they make they feel better about themselves and they realise that actually it was the inside they needed to work on not the outside. Maybe their physical shape will change but often they find it’s the mental changes that have had the biggest impact.

My comment was that I would never have considered coming to a boxing session as possibly I would have been intimidated by the image that surrounds boxing, being a little shy and with a gym kit where neon pink features heavily I wouldn’t have thought boxing could be for me.

My preconceptions were so wrong, I cant speak for all gyms but certainly at CBK Boxing it really is for everyone, no matter your age, sex, fitness level or weight.

So with a certain amount of personal bravery I signed up to experience a one to one session of boxing for myself.

Heres how it went:

I turn up in my neon pink feeling slightly nervous and not sure what to expect. I’m straight onto the bike for a warm up. While I’m on there there’s people in the ring having a training session and I’m having a chat about all kinds of stuff with Rosie. By the time I’m off the bike I’m totally relaxed. Everyone is relaxed and welcoming and the most chilled out dog is padding around the side of the ring.

Now over to the punch bag. The gloves go on and I’m suddenly feeling very silly but excited to get started. My nerves get the better of me and I start giggling, what on earth am I doing, I cant throw a punch. Can I ?

Rosie talks me though the basics and encourages me to take my first punch. Oddly I definitely held back on that first punch, why? I’m sure the punch bag is quite used to this by now. By the 3rd and 4th punch it was actually starting to feel much more natural and so much fun.

Next we move onto using the pads, Rosie stands in-front of me with pads over her hands and tells me exactly how to hit and where to hit. The punch bag was one thing but what if I’m really rubbish and I throw a punch, miss and hit Rosie. Rationally Rosie is obviously not going to let that happen. Thankfully this did not happen and I connected with the pad. I’ve got to say I’m honestly really enjoying myself by this point. The more times I hit the pad, the more I start to focus on the instructions, my stance and punches. The giggles are gone and I’m very much in the moment and loving it. Rosie is super encouraging and I’m feeling like this is actually something I could enjoy doing. I feel focused, relaxed and honestly so proud of myself.

Photo by Matheus Ferrero on Unsplash

By the end of our session I’m feeling on a natural high, I’m proud I booked the session, that I turned up and walked through the door and I’m thrilled that as it turns out I had a great time. I’d had a tough morning but the tension is now gone and I’m sure I’m walking just a little bit taller. I can certainly see how boxing can be a great asset in building self belief and stress management. If this has sparked your interest then I urge you to put your fears aside, take the plunge and walk through the door of your local gym and see what benefits boxing can offer you.

I’d like to say a personal thank you to Rosie for making me feel so at ease and totally transforming my attitude towards boxing. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone has been a really good experience for me and proves to me that I can do what I want if I just try. Whats holding you back? Why not take a step in the right direction, step out of your comfort zone and realise nothing bad happens when you do. Find something you want to try and take that first step, you can do it.