After two years of working out from home due to the pandemic, a new boxing studio has opened at last, Electric Studio Rhythm Boxing. The newest group fitness class in the country that uses an aqua punching bag for a total body workout, the program incorporates boxing, strength, and core training.
Last Sunday, I joined Armand Mendoza’s (my husband) Rhythm Boxing class for the second time with a new set of experienced participants. I’ve always been interested in group boxing fitness classes. I’ve tried and taught various types of fitness boxing classes since the beginning of my fitness career – from Billy Blanks’ Tae-Bo-inspired class to punching bag aerobics (aero kickboxing class using a traditional punching bag), Les Mills Body Combat, and Piloxing (combination of boxing, dance, and Pilates).
A magical boxing experience – boxing to the beat of your favorite music
Rhythm Boxing was originally created when Kristina Sy, founder of Electric Studio, wanted to create another type of exercise that perfectly complemented indoor cycling. Something that preserved the essence of mindful cycling, and not just a usual workout, she was after an exercise that could strengthen the body, mind, and even the soul. She considers Rhythm boxing an empowering workout because aside from the power you put on the bag to relieve stress, it also builds mental strength while giving you positive emotions, leaving you with a truly magical boxing experience.
Throughout the program, you move to the beat of the music, all while punching and a variation of other fitness moves. The energy of the participants, the upbeat playlist of the instructor, and the overall set-up of the room, motivates you to push harder. You can expect a different class every time you attend a session because the instructor changes the class vibe, playlist, choreography, and combination of moves.
Benefits of Rhythm Boxing
Balanced and safe workout
According to Arsenio “Butts” Solinap, Rhythm Boxing lead trainer and business partner, this 10-round is evenly divided between boxing fundamentals and resistance training. Using a power-absorbent aqua punching bag that gives you a different feel as compared to the traditional punching bag, it is softer for the joints and makes you activate your core more. You can also easily perform uppercuts under the hanging bag.
Total body workout
The whole 45-minute session can give participants with various levels of fitness the much-needed benefits of a great fitness workout: improved cardiovascular endurance, power, full-body strength, muscular endurance power, core strength, agility, and coordination.
Calorie-burning
The total body workout combining cardio and strength plus the powerful vibe and strong energy that your body absorbs in the boxing room will push you to move more so you can burn more calories, approximately 250 to 500 calories in a single session.
A good complement to your existing workouts
The Rhythm Boxing can be incorporated into your current cardio and strength workouts if your goal is to lose more body fat, improve your boxing skills, strengthen and reshape your body (adding more tone to your upper body and core), and challenge your fitness level by doing HIIT, cardio boxing, strength, and core training in one session.
Face-to-face workout
Keewee Adriano, 34, is a lead corporate financial planning analyst, and one of Electric Studio’s most avid clients since the beginning of the pandemic. She is currently doing hybrid (online and face-to-face) workout classes. In fact, she still regularly joins my afternoon Zoom strength classes twice a week. I asked her about the advantages of joining a live Rhythm Boxing class.
“I try to attend to the studio at least once a week. I like it because it’s a different experience for me since I’ve been doing boxing virtually the whole pandemic and having the bag in class makes the workout more challenging and also fun because you can feel the energy of every person in the room. I’m also happy that I can always check if my form and alignment is really correct and what ways I can still improve when the instructors tell me how I should be doing the defenses and offenses. “
The Rhythm Boxing experience
Pre-workout orientation
Armand explained and demonstrated the proper form for the boxing stance and punches before the start of the class. We Basic boxing stance, find your dominant side. keep your fight stance proper, wide base of support for your stance.
Warm-up
The class started with a full range of dynamic mobility exercises to prepare the whole body sprinkled with a bit of shadow boxing and defensive moves. The room lighting, music, and Armand’s energy raised our excitement
Boxing moves
We were taught to position our legs properly and use the whole body to maneuver the punches effectively. As we progressed with the class, he featured more challenging combos and also combined the defense techniques (slip, bob, and weave) with the punches.
Full-body strength and intense core training
We were asked to grab a pair of dumbbells to execute the most effective compound strength exercises such as a squat with shoulder press, deadlift, and row and reverse lunge with bicep cursl. It was followed by floor exercises combining upper body and core exercises such as push up and slow knee tucks (controlled mountain climbers). Armand’s upbeat music pushed me to do full-range moves for all the exercises he planned for that class. He also demonstrated the modified versions and asked the participants to slow down or do half-range moves when needed.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
I loved the intense cardio moves that brought my heart rate up. We survived the plyometric lunges with squats because the energy of the whole class was amazing.
Freestyle boxing
Before the end of the class, we expressed our strong emotions and pushed our limits by creating our very own boxing combos: punching and jumping to the beat of the music! We were able to express the positive emotions by moving as one while celebrating our strengths and achievements for that day. It was such an exhilarating experience!
Cool-down
For the grand finale, we did static stretches for the whole body, while still moving and flowing to the vibe of relaxing music.
Here are some tips for a safe and effective workout
- Consult with your doctor and ask for clearance If you have special medical conditions before you try this workout.
- Arrive 10 to 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled class to prepare yourself and you won’t miss the instructor’s class orientation about the proper boxing stance, form, and exercise execution. If you have some special concerns, feel free to approach the instructor five to ten minutes before the start of the class.
- You can bring your own or purchase a complete set of boxing wraps and gloves from Electric Studio. But you can also rent boxing gloves every time you attend a class.
- Make sure that you bring your workout mask, water bottle, workout towel, and your vaccination card.
- Hydrate every 10 to 15 minutes or when needed.
- Be mindful of your form and listen to the instructor’s cues all throughout the class.
- Listen to your body and feel free to take quick breaks to regulate your heart rate.
- Modify your form, pace, and intensity when needed. You can use your body weight or lift a lighter pair of weights, execute half-range moves for some strength exercises such as push-ups, squats, and lunges and you can always move slower than the pace of the instructor
- You can balance your weekly routine by incorporating Rhythm Boxing as part of your cross-training program at least once a week.
The studio is located at 4/F The Podium Mall, 12 ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, 1550 Mandaluyong, Philippines. For inquiries, visit www.electricstudio.ph .
Email the author at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @mitchfelipemendoza
