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Follow the Fuzz

Follow the Fuzz: A 12 Month Wellness Journey – Episode 3: Boxing Differently 

Starting Weight: 129.6kg
Finishing Weight: 128kg

The thought of boxing for fitness conjures scenarios in my imagination:

  1. a night club vibe room, with Beyonce blaring at me, and a workout alternating between bags, moderate weights, and burpees
  2. a sweaty gym with winners belts on the walls expressing the prowess of those who have trained there, with a ring to fight, and no desire in me whatsoever to actually fight, but rather just to punch aimlessly at the smorgasbord of targets around me.

Ideally, my personal emotional and mental state requires a combining of these two methods of boxing training – I have a desire to actually learn the skill and technicalities of boxing, to get a great cardio/strength workout, to just punch everything because life is lifeing, and to listen to Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter on repeat while doing it! 

I had the great privilege of finding this happy sweet spot when I trained with Grant Norton – a British transplant, whose accent is fresh, but whose tan is seasoned. Grant made his way to meet me in the Domain for our very first meeting, and spoke of this gym that was just 30 minutes South, where boxing came alive in its most native setting, so I thought why not! 

Grant calls Cronulla home, training out of Southside Boxing Gym – a real boxers gym complete with an initially threatening ring, championship belts on display, encouraging quotes about pushing through to toughness, and a fully equipped weights gym that feels like you’re at a mates place to hit the metal… I think that’s what people say.

Upon entering, there is a sense that a community built this gym, and that it is a living breathing space. Grant indulged me by ensuring that Beyoncé was coming at me through the speakers to keep me motivated, and in my short time with him I learned to appreciate the actual skill involved in being a boxer (as well as sweating my tits off from the sheer physical exertion needed to keep your hands up and your legs moving). 

What I didn’t expect to take away from this one-on-one coaching was a lesson about life, balance, and the flexibility to not be singularly defined. Grant has been a hairdresser and educator for over 25 years, travelling all around the world, and has been heavily involved in the global fashion industry, and his first jab and cross were thrown only when he moved to Australia.

“I first started boxing when I arrived in Australia, 25 years ago. I love the camaraderie with other people, learning a new skill, and stepping out of my comfort zone.” Grant said.

In finding community in and outside the ring, he thought of boxing as an opportunity to perfect another skill, drawing parallels with his experience in the hair industry as a creative. Often we can see the two things as being opposed to each other, but here I was confronted with the two things existing in the body and hands of the same man. Boxing for Grant was more than just a physical activity, it was another avenue to explore the world and his body as a human being.

Just as Grant went from being a trainee in the studio to an educator in the notoriously competitive hair industry, he has also become a boxing coach:

“I love coaching boxing and feel that the education skillset from hairdressing has helped me cross over. Life has become more about balance, and I have managed to find time to focus on both passions.”

Who would’ve thought (certainly not me) that these two passions could co-exist? Perhaps I am just not as evolved as I think I am, but my experience with Grant not only made me healthier in body, but certainly in mind and sentiment. 

The Benefits of Boxing

Improves your heart health

The sport is a form of high intensity interval training (HIIT), widely believed to be an excellent method to maintain and improve heart health, and has been associated with decreased risk of heart disease.

Aids weight loss

If you’re trying to lose a few extra KGs, the benefits of boxing cannot be overstated. The activity keeps your heart rate high, and a person can burn 390-560 calories per 60 minute session.

Boosts whole-body strength

If you have never boxed before, do not assume that punching power comes only from your arm and shoulder, because it is quite literally an entire body experience. A good punch involves your lower limbs, and whole body coordination to deliver power through the hit. Think legs, core, then arms to deliver a knockout bow.

Improves balance

Boxing isn’t just punching a bag, pads, or a person (if you get in the ring), it is a whole lot of coordinated movement. When coached, you are taught to develop reactive movement strategies based on changing conditions. This specific type of mind-body connection leads to improved balance.

Decreases stress

This is perhaps what I enjoy most about boxing – it is a safe and fun way to let out your stress. I felt a noticeable improvement in my mood, particularly if I went into a session with a lot on my mind. Let’s face it, punching a bag feels good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwx69m8sWU8&t=64s&pp=ygUPZnV6eiBhbGkgYm94aW5n
About Author

Fuzz Ali is a writer, podcast host, multimedia personality, and creative director with over eight years of experience in the media and entertainment industry. He is the founder and host of Life With Fuzz, a conversational podcast series that explores identity, meaning, and belonging in a world where these issues are becoming increasingly polarising. He is also a contributing writer for online publication, Balance the Grind, documenting a 12 month wellness and wholistic living journey in 2024.