New studios and concepts are popping up all over the capital!
Last week I got the chance to attend the pre-launch of Punch! A homegrown boxing studio founded by a lovely couple, Lama and Bashar, at Zayed Sports City.
As we arrive to the studio, we are immediately greeted by Lama at the door of the beautifully designed space. It is sleek and classy, the branding is on point, it makes me feel slightly fierce and want to jump into class and box! And this is coming from someone who doesn’t find joy in punching bags! (or anything for that matter…. I think!)
We are introduced to two people behind the counter who are about to sign us up; Bashar, and their head trainer Nasha. Each one of us is allocated a punching bag number so we know where to go once in the room, wraps and a pair of boxing gloves (one of those gloves that only require you to slip your fingers in. No stinky gloves or hands here). As 6pm approaches, more familiar faces start crowding the space, excited to try out a local studio concept. Everyone is pumped to bump into friends and who doesnt like a fun workout with friends!
Nasha puts on her mic and calls everyone in the studio. It’s time! Everyone takes their place; the room is dark, the music loud and the show of lights turns up the intensity. She explains that Punch! is a full body workout consisting of combinations on the punching bag, as well as bodyweight and weighted exercises.
The workout consisted of 12 rounds. For every round, the exercise combinations, first demonstrated by Nasha, are projected on the wall in front of us. So there’s no getting confused about the punching combinations which showed up as numbers:
- Jab left
- Jab right
- Hook left
- Hook right
- Uppercut left
- Uppercut right
So when she said 1,1,2,3,6 and two seconds later you forgot already (or you were too preoccupied with catching your breath that you couldn’t pay attention), you just had look up at the wall in front of you. I loved that! The different bodyweight and strength exercises were also shown in cute designs.
Now, did it get our heart rate up? YES
Did it burn? Oh yes!
Did we sweat? Either that or some of us got caught under some rain!
Would I go back? I most definately would. While I mentioned earlier that I didn’t like punching a bag (although it does become fun once you get the hang of it), there was enough exercise variety to compensate. Plus who doesn’t like a full body workout that includes everything from cardio to HIIT to strength training all in just 45 minutes? Also, did I mention the space is BEAUTIFUL! I could just hang out there. I left in such a good mood, It cant be a bad idea to go back!
So what are you waiting for?
Let me know if you do try a class at Punch! And don’t forget to give the lovely founders your feedback!
Until next time!
Sarah xxx
