Reading Time: 4 Minutes
This article appears in the Spring issue of NEWMARKET. magazine, for more, click here.
Take it from me - a Netflix-watching, crossword-completing, never denies herself of a sweet treat kind-of-girl, that embarking on a new fitness journey is daunting, especially when it involves stepping foot inside a martial arts gym. As I prepared for my Muay Thai/Kickboxing class at the Auckland Martial Arts Academy my nerves ran high. I found myself constantly looking at the clock, calculating how many hours I had left to build up enough courage to attend the class. Growing up, my Dad’s passion for jiu-jitsu made martial arts a weekly re-occurrence. While most living rooms had pot plants or paintings, we had a clothes horse drying Dad’s Gi (traditional jiu-jitsu uniform) from the previous night’s workout. I’ve always heard him talk passionately about his latest classes, the gym comradery and have celebrated many times over each new belt and stripe. Yet, despite the positive exposure I never, ever, imagined myself partaking in the martial arts journey.
Thankfully I wasn’t braving the class alone; surprisingly, a friend was eager to come along. In the hope of at least looking the part, we dressed in what could only be described as a sub-par impression of Lucy Liu from Charlie's Angels.
Before our workout, it felt only necessary to treat ourselves to a pre-class pit stop at Atelier Shu for a little sweet indulgence. As we entered the martial arts building we were immediately greeted at the door by a welcoming smile and a reassuring sense of enthusiasm. Before anything, we were given a quick tour of the space and were introduced to some fellow classmates. There was a mix of beginners, experts and what I’d like to call myself, an enthusiast - there just to give it their best shot.
We began on the main mat with some warmups which was a great introduction to the pace of the class. Although my lungs were working overtime, I couldn’t help but feel encouraged by the contagious and uplifting energy in the room. Each exercise was more dynamic compared to anything else I’d done before. As opposed to sweating up a storm, these activities were aimed at loosening your muscles and inducing agility. Once warmed up, it was time to gear up with gloves and pads. Our instructor demonstrated various punching combinations, breaking down each movement making them nowhere near as intimidating as they seemed. A huge emphasis was placed on proper form and technique offering not only a great workout, but a lesson on the fundamentals of Muay Thai and kickboxing.
With my nerves now replaced by a determination to look like the advanced class taking place next to us, I found myself genuinely enjoying each new challenge. It had been a long time since pushing my limits in a fitness environment and I began to understand the addictive release of endorphins people so often talk about. After an hour of punching, kicking and sweating, we wrapped up the workout with a final ab session finishing with a much-hated (rightly so) plank. By the end, serious-reflection was experienced after being almost reacquainted with our pre-workout treat.
In the theme of workout rewards we decided to head to Eden Noodles for a post-workout meal, this time for a treat we actually deserved. Few things in life taste as good as their spicy dumplings and after a thorough workout we couldn’t pass up the opportunity. We discussed our shared enjoyment of the class and came to agreement that the whole experience exceeded our expectations. From walking through the door to the end of the class, we were taken on a fitness experience incomparable to anything we had done before.
If you’re in search of a new way to keep active, the classes at the Auckland Martial Arts Academy may just be what you’re looking for. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned professional, this gym offers a safe and supportive environment, accommodating to all experience levels. And while I’ll be the first to admit I’m no Lucy Liu…did I feel close to it? Absolutely.
AUCKLAND MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY //12A Clayton Street
This article appears in the Spring issue of NEWMARKET. magazine, for more, click here.
Tags: Fitness
