Part 2: Health and fitness options in Torquay, Jan Juc and the Surf Coast (a couple for the guys!)

Live Better Longer

Mitch is a Jan Juc local who will help you improve and prolong your life and surfing through simple and effective movement training.

For the past 13 years Mitch has worked as a performance coach and movement specialist, working with athletes (national and international) and the general public to enhance movement ability, self awareness and total function of the body. Experience has taught him that the body and mind are not separate, and that quite often overcoming physical barriers can help to understand ourselves and the blockages we have.

His search to enhance total performance (for self and others) has lead him to investigate and immerse in many different disciplines, from traditional physical conditioning to yoga practice, chinese philosophy, developmental movement and western psychology as well as contemplative practices such as meditation/relaxation and breathing dynamics.

Initially this search was to improve sporting performance, i.e. move better, reduce injuries, overcome psychological barriers, but as time has passed he has learnt that all these different experiences contribute to developing the whole person. He believes strongly that to improve sporting performance and performance in life we need to understand ourselves and commit to an integrated approach.

Surfing has been a constant in his life for the past 25 years and it is what he would do all day if he could (I'm not sure what he family would think about that!). Surfing and the ocean has taken Mitch all over the world and has given him some incredible peak experiences. He currently works with surfers, helping them prolong their surfing life through Surf Better Longer.

 

Contact Mitch: 0412 426 922

www.surfbetterlonger.com.au

mitchbarrow@live.com.au

Coastal Boxing

Torquay Coastal Boxing & Fitness five star boxing and fitness facility is fully equipped to cater for all your fitness needs and is located right where all the action is, in the heart of the surfing industry of Baines Crt Torquay on the Surfcoast.

The facility is fully equipped and they have been supporting Torquay for 12 years. They cater for all ages, all levels, and everyone who is serious about improving their health, well being, boxing skills and fitness levels.

They are the first Box/Fit gym in Australia to offer Box/Fit classes as well as 24 hour gym access, meaning members can train anytime they want.

If you think it’s just a sport for the rough and tough, you’re wrong.
Boxing training is now one of the most popular fitness regimes out there and if it’s a lean, toned, strong body you’re after then this is the one for you.

What’s it all about? 
Scrap any negative ideas you have about boxing training being intimidating or barbaric.  Boxing training is very much a social activity. Classes are usually made up of around 2 to 15 people and concentrate on pad work, circuits and an endless variety of drills covering all areas of fitness.

What can I expect at a class? 
A typical class will start with a 10-minute warm-up, followed by a variety of exercises that work directly on fatty problem areas, about half an hour of boxing drills including pad work, and finishing with a 10-minute warm-down. Classes will teach you how to punch properly — it’s about gaining technique as well as strength. In the beginning there are three main moves to employ: hooks (“side” punches), jabs (straight forward punches) and up-cuts (punches going upwards). Your instructor will tell you which combinations you’ll be doing, and may also get you to work with partners part-way through the work-out.

Don’t think that boxing is an easy ride, though: it’s seriously hard work. Boxing is a high intensity, full body workout that will keep you moving the whole time. When you’re not throwing a punch, you’re ducking and weaving. Rule No 1 is “keep moving.” If your fitness is a little below par, you can box slower but you can’t stop because if you want to burn fat and get fit, you need to keep your heart rate up. Even during the warm-ups and warm-downs, there’s little relief — think arms, legs, butt and abdominal work out.”

What benefits will I see? 
Weight loss, increased agility and coordination, muscle tone and greater fitness all result from boxing. Many people think that boxing is all about the arms but it is actually a cardio work-out for the whole body. It’s especially good for toning your bottom and quadriceps muscles, which is perfect for women who want to lose weight around their bottom and thighs as part of an overall reduction programme.

There’s no need to worry about bulking up, Hilary Swank-style, either. Boxing is very much a high repetition work-out so you’ll see tone rather than muscle. It’s also very empowering and people really get pumped up and stuck into it during the moves. Also a self-defence lesson, by the end of the first class, you should be able to throw a solid punch.

Is there anything to be cautious of? 
Weak wrists are probably the only thing that might present a problem however once you learn how to box properly; you shouldn’t be putting any unnecessary strain on your wrists. The aim of your punches is also important. Align your punches with your knuckles correctly and your knuckles should feel no pain. You must get wrist wraps from the gym for extra support. A couple of sessions with of personal training should see you right, if you are uncertain.

Will I get hurt? 
Unless you want to box with someone (most choose not too), there is absolutely no body-to-body contact allowed in boxing for fitness, so any risk is minimal.

I’ve never boxed in my life. Will I be able to do it? 
 If you’re not particularly fit then that’s not a huge problem. Boxing is actually easier for a lot of people than running, especially for those with excess weight. It’s easy to modify the exercise to suit you so every one of all ages and fitness levels can participate.

It’s not just a sport for the guys either; women actually pick up the combinations faster than men and have more flexibility through their mid-section. The rotation of the back is where all the strength comes from for a punch, not the arms.

 What's on offer at Coastal Boxing:

Open for full Gym use: 24 Hours a day, everyday!
(Training solo or with friends/family at leisure)

Mens and Womens (Mixed) boxing classes: (10 min. warm up – skip, jog or bike, 5 min abs and upper body exercises, shadowboxing, traditional boxing circuit training, pad work for technique and fitness, optional light sparring, open training):
Mon, Wed, Fri at 4.30pm to 5.30pm & 5.30pm to 630pm Sat: 10am to 11.00am

Womens boxing for fitness: (Includes: pad-work, spin-bike, pilates, light-kicking, cardio-box, circuits, tummy-hips-thighs, skipping, exercise routines, leg conditioning, light weights, pump-box, boxacise, etc):   Mon,Tues,Wed,Thurs at 6.30pm to 7.30pm

Personal training: by appointment (one on one or group):
(Boxing, fit. training, toning, weight loss etc; catered to suit individual or group client needs)

Executive boxing lunch hour: (make new friends, network, Byo lunchbox) 12-2PM daily

7am box camp: Tues and Thurs

For more info and to give boxing a go...

6A Baines Cres, Torquay, Surfcoast.
Victoria. Australia, 3228.
Phone: 0417144794

OPEN 24 hours