Feeling so bummed out after boxercise class!

[BananaLana]

It’s my first proper exercise in a while so I expected to be unfit, but my god.

I am in really good shape, I’m 25 and I was a runner when I was a teenager. I’ve always been really fit, or at least fitter than the average person. I thought I’d be a bit rusty but I was shocked.

We had to do 3 rounds of:
30 seconds of a given punch (changed each time)
30 seconds of body weight exercise (think burpees, jump squats or plank)
60 seconds punch
60 seconds body weight
90 seconds punch
30 seconds bodyweight
40 seconds shuttle run.

Not to sound mean but even the ones out of shape were able to punch, at least slowly, for the whole 60 and 90 seconds.

Me? I had to stop every 10 seconds. My arms were burning and I physically couldn’t do a repetitive movement.
I was also basically walking towards the end.

I felt AWFUL. I was huffing and puffing and felt so put out because I couldn’t do repetitive punches or movement for more than 10 seconds at a time.

it was embarrassing. should I even bother to keep trying?

I used to be super fit. I went to a boxercise class, completely underestimating how hard it would be. I looked pathetic by the end of it - barely lifting my arms to swing a punch.

That being said, my body seems to do better with weight training than it does with intense cardio - I think it can cause more stress than good. Gentle cardio yes, but the intense stuff is not for me. More easy to get an injury as well.

Yes absolutely this! I would imagine I’m one of the people you’d assume is “out of shape” - I’m actually just more focussed on my strength and flexibility than my appearance.

I strength train 3-4 times a week, and from doing it regularly I notice how much my ability changes day to day. Where I am in my cycle, what I’ve eaten so far that day, the time of day I’m working out, how much sleep I got - all these affect what I can do, and genuinely some days I can lift 60kgs and feel great, and two days later I struggle to do even 8 reps of 40kgs. The important thing is to keep doing it, and be kind to yourself on the bad days.

Keep going. You haven't been exercising so you are out of shape. If you have been fit as a teenager, and you are only 25, you'll get back in shape quickly. Don't let this stop you and when you are 45, you wonder why you are so out of shape.

I'm an "out of shape" (overweight) middle aged woman who weightlifts 3 hours a week, spin class twice a week and 40 mile cycle rides at weekends.

If you put me next to a slim 20 year old who doesn't exercise most people would assume the 20yo is fitter than me but it's unlikely to be true. I could probably cycle faster and further than them and definitely lift heavier weights. So don't judge that an out of shape person is unfit or never exercises. I was definitely built for weight lifting rather than running but I'm not unfit. 😀

The people in the boxercise class may not look fit but could well have been going for some time. So look to them for inspiration about how if they can manage it you can as well if you put the effort in to keep going.

Ah the superiority of the runner! Only half joking, having been a member of a running club for a while (not any more) it’s a typical belief that they are really fit (and look down on those who don’t have a runner’s physique ) not necessarily, they can just run and often are quite stooped , undeveloped shoulders and arms as they try and keep their weight down and do nothing for strength or to future proof for old age, like some bodybuilders have underdeveloped legs if they spend all the time in their upper body.

Fat does not equal unfit!

Just as slim doesn’t equal healthy or fit!

Sooner we as a nation realise this, the sooner we can destigmatise being fat and remove that burden off of people.

completely agree with this about pilates. Running is notorious for over-exercising a select group of muscles, and - like other forms of exercise that recruit the big 'power' muscles - it actually seems to have the effect of weakening some of the core muscles that are developed by the quiet, small (but nonetheless demanding) workouts of pilates. Spinning classes, too, created this imbalance in my body.
In my case, my jelly-weak core has caused me to misuse my neck and shoulders in ways that effectively created weakness in my upper body, especially my forearms. I'm pretty sure that, if I were to attempt boxercise, I would find it really hard for this reason.
Pilates has been such a learning process. Like yoga it allows you to introspect, identify and develop muscles that I never even experienced in action before. And it has reduced my neck and shoulder pain.

The ‘ones out of shape’?

that’s you isn’t it?

You’re not one of those making snap judgments of people heavier then you, are you?

Because it sounds like they just schooled you.

Ah it's that time of year.
I inwardly smirk when new faces arrive, look at me with kindness in their eyes and ask if it's my first time. Then try to keep up with me......

I'm over 50, 3 stone overweight (thanks steroids) and still wearing a beanie as I recover from chemo - judge me at your peril
.

"Fitter than the average person", OP?

Fitness is one of those things that is difficult to build up but so easy to lose. Don’t be put off! Go back to a few sessions and you’ll be better than you were on class 1. Alternatively you could have a look at some beginning classes - you might not feel like a beginner but they might be easier or modify your exercises.

totally normal feeling, but I’d definitely go back

Give up and spend your time lying on the sofa watching TV.
Or have some bottle and give it another go.

Sorry OP I didn't answer your finishing question.

Should you go back? Yes, if you want to.
If you enjoyed what you did then go back because we all started where you are now (some of us without the running fitness either).
It builds up quicker than you think if you persist, which is why some of us look flabby but can do it.
The key is enjoy it and don't compare yourself to others.

The purpose of exercise is to challenge yourself to feel out of breath & for your muscles to ache. If you’re not doing this you’re not exercising at your max.

you’re only 25 , of course you should go back.

What did you think would happen in the class, you’d wave your arms around & look lovely while all the fat old women would huff & puff?

The only competition is with yourself. Stop judging others. Do your best for you.

Yep
I'm a size 16/18 but exercise regularly, mostly spin classes and weights
No issues keeping up in a 90 min spin class but people often presume overweight people are beginners when they're not

A lot of it is technique with boxing. My swimming technique is awful and a couple of laps make me feel exhausted.

You can also spot runners a mile away because their short hip flexors give them an odd gait, and make them hopeless at anything requiring a small amount of flexibility.

I think this is a great example to you of how thin doesn't equal fit/healthy!

The only competition is with yourself. Stop judging others. Do your best for you.

I love this

You're being silly.

Your fitness will improve trust me. First time will be hard. Give it a few weeks it'll be easier