I’m not quite sure if I’m really out of shape, or that Bo-Hi-Do is the hardest boxing class I have ever taken. A combination of boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and various strength, core and cardio training — this class kicked my bootie (into shape). I didn’t realize that the class was a full-on boxing class with gloves, but I had to put on the smelly, used and abused, gym gloves (gross).
Taught at Equinox by Angel Alicea, and with only 4 other people in the class, there was no place for me to hide…and Angel was not cutting us any slack.
The first five minutes went something like this:
1 min. – jumping jacks
1 min. – squats
1 min. – crunches
1 min. – bicycle sit-ups
1 min. – push-ups
1 min. – cobra push-ups
Cobra Push-Up
The next part of the class was a punching and kicking routine — jab, cross, elbow, knee kick (left, right, left), back swing punch, other side, switch stance, elbow, knee, switch stance and finally, two punches. This routine was then taken to the punching bag and by the end, I could not breathe, and taking a sip of water was a little difficult with huge boxing gloves on.
In between this routine, we did a little more strength training:
1 min. – push-ups
1 min. – mountain climbers (knees to elbows in push-up position)
1 min. – jumping squats
1 min. – squat thrusts
Mountain Climber
Then we went back to the bag:
25 sec. – punching
25 sec. – knee kick
25 sec. – punching
25 sec. – knee kick
25 sec. – punching
25 sec. – knee kick
During the above series, I almost died — I could barely lift my arms for the knee kick part. And it didn’t end — Angel had us hold squat position for over a minute and then back to the bag for punching as fast as we could. The class was supposed to be 45 minutes, but it was more like 55 minutes. He finished off with calming yoga stretches and then I ran to the shower to wash the stench off my hands.
I am so sore, but I may return for more torture at some point.
Although the class is just an hour, it’s a perfect way to end a rough Monday back at work/school. David takes the class through the sun salutations, warriors 1, 2 and 3, reverse warrior and many beginner poses, but he also incorporates some more advanced poses, like headstands. He is the type of instructor who helps you improve poses, for example, when I’m doing bridge, he works with me to stand up and then eases me back down to the floor. Some instructors don’t bother to correct your positioning and I always like to know if there is a way to improve my practice.
