Did you know that one of the benefits of cross-training is the development of a variety of muscle fibre types and energy systems? This not only improves our aerobic and anaerobic systems but makes us stronger, fitter and faster as lifelong athletes.
Toronto’s Dr. Greg Wells, associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Toronto, has worked with many elite athletes, and one consistent pattern these athletes share is using complementary cross-training activities. “You want to be able to move between different activities and energy systems that provide you with benefits that can improve your ability to do your primary sport,” says Wells.
Doing the same old fitness regime can be boring, but did you know your body actually craves variety? Over time, doing the same old thing becomes less effective, and the repetitive nature can contribute to overuse injuries. To push through those plateaus, it’s important to shock the body and get different muscles activated and there is no better way than to introduce a new activity.
Boxercise anyone? At Toronto’s Centre Rung, former Canadian Boxing Champion Wavyne Bourque, along with his stable of trainers, take their members through a series of workouts that impacts their fitness level – physically and mentally.
“All physical activity is great”, says Toronto’s Greg Wells, associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Toronto and author of Superbodies, “and so anything you can do to move your body is ideal. Considering that 85 percent of the population doesn’t get enough physical activity to prevent a chronic disease, I think boxercise can be beneficial.””I’ve been going to Centre Ring off and on for a long time.”, says David Innis. “Personally, I just feel great that I can keep up with the workout, which is reaffirming for me at my age, 65, that I can still do it. I can even show up some of the younger members, which is great for my ego. Besides, I always feel energized and positive when I’ve done a class. For the past 10 or 12 years. I’ve been dealing with Type 2 diabetes, and I find I need an intensive workout to keep that under control; because I don’t want to have to take medication, that’s the easy route. For me, it’s about staying away from the pharmaceutical industry for a long as I can.
JUL 2018
Exercise inside the box(ing)
Published on July 26, 2018 in City Parent Magazine
ParticipACTION recently launched “Build Your Best Day.” And for kids between the ages of 5 – 18, it means getting them away from their electronic devices and getting that heart pumping by being active.
ParticipACTION recommends “at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity involving a variety of aerobic activities. And when it comes to vigorous physical, and muscle and bone strengthening activities, these should each be incorporated at least three days per week.”
For the kids that go to Wayne Bourque’s Centre Ring for boxercise, the classes are based on training concepts boxers use to keep fit. The classes are non-contact, and the boxers are taken through their paces, learning the various boxing punches like the jab, hook and uppercut. Boxing is also mixed with strength exercises that target the upper and lower body, along with exercises to strengthen the core.
The workouts are tough and in a 60-minute session, these kids get one of the best full-body workouts they’ve ever experienced. When the kids are hitting the bag, they are getting muscle and bone strengthening benefits, and as an added bonus, boxercise helps to push their aerobic threshold. “By the end of the class these kids are energized, and you can actually see how their self-esteem and confidence has been reshaped,” says Bourque. “They walk taller and seem more self-aware.”
It’s no surprise to see girls attending the boxercise classes. Andrea, 18, was introduced to the classes through her father, who had been attending the classes for many years. At 14, she was working out side-by-side with an older group. “In the beginning I was less confident and I did find the classes a bit intimidating. It was tough for me to keep up, but after getting the hang of the different punches, I was hooked. Boxing allows each person to find their own strength—it’s you against the bag. I’ve been surprised at how strong I feel and how much more I can achieve than I would have thought possible. Even at the point of exhaustion, when you don’t even think you can lift an arm, somehow you find the mental and physical strength for those last 40 hooks or the last 10 push-ups.” Andrea’s love of boxing gives her an incredible sense of achievement and power at the end of each class. “There’s nothing else like it,” she says.
Bourque also knows that as a cross-training activity, boxercise gives young people a great fitness edge.
“It’s demanding and challenging, but kids want and need a challenge, and it gives them that vote of confidence some desperately seek. These kids transform in front of you. Along with feeling better about themselves, they see improvements in their level of fitness.”
“Wayne’s great with the kids,” says Chris De-Piero, Director of Athletics, St. Michael’s College School. DePiero took some of the hockeyplayers from the St. Mike’s Buzzers to one of Wayne’s classes. “Not only did the kids benefit from the physical conditioning but they benefitted mentally as well. As a coach, the cross-fit approach really resonated with me, and the kids really embraced it.”
At Centre Ring, it’s about the kids, and Bourque has a few trainers whose focus is on the development of these junior boxers. Jordan, 25, has been coaching for a few years and loves training these kids. “Not only are they getting fit, but it’s an activity that requires discipline. A lot of people look at boxing purely as a physical activity but there’s more to it. They learn how to overcome things, like when you’re tired and you don’t think you could hit the bag one more time or you can’t do one more pushup. Instead of giving up, you learn what it means to dig deep for that second reserve of energy and push yourself to the end. This dedication and understanding of what it means to be successful is something they will have with them for the rest of their lives; it’s a true transferrable skill. Boxercise is a two-punch hit – physically and mentally.”
Alex, 15, loves working out at Centre Ring. “It’s a tough training program but the trainers really push you. It’s an amazing feeling knowing you didn’t give up.” Ibrahim, 17, agrees: “You’re working all of your muscles and if you do other sports, it’s perfect for cross-training. It’s also really easy to progress and you do see the difference in your fitness.” As for Andrea, there is no question that the hour spent boxing is hard work, but it’s also a great way to let off a little steam and be completely unplugged form the world. “I love it and I would definitely tell other girls to try out the classes at Centre Ring, not only because they’re great workouts, but because they make you feel empowered and strong in a world where girls—despite immense progress—are still considered weaker.”
Bourque knows these kids need an outlet, and the physical education program at the school isn’t enough. When the kids arrive, they leave their electronic devices behind, and for 60 minutes they’re no longer thinking about who’s tweeting them. In fact, when the class ends, the kids aren’t running to their phones, they’re actually talking to one another — laughing and making jokes, even looking at each other eye to eye – without the interruption of their electronic devices.
ParticipACTION points out the proven benefits of being active. When children are active for at least 60 minutes and limit time spent being sedentary to less than two hours per day, they:
Improve their health
Do better in school
Improve self-esteem and confidence
Maintain a healthy body weight
Improve their fitness
Grow stronger
Have fun playing with friends
Feel happier
Learn new skills.
So what are you waiting for? “Build Your Best Day” for your kids.
For more information on how you and your kids can Build Your Best Day, visitbuildyourbestday.com
2017 – Celebrating 150 years
In celebration of Canada’s sesquicentennial, Indigo published a book called The World Needs More Canada. Bourque was selected and featured in the book, as one of the “cultural makers of our land, who inspire us, challenge us and reflect who we are for all the world to see”.
NOV 2016
Learning Portrait: Wayne BourquePublished on Jun 19, 2015Part of TVO’s Learning Portraits series, former Canadian boxing champion, Wayne Bourque, talks about the life lessons he learned through boxing.
This video previously had 761 views we have brought it here to the official Centre Ring channel for you.
JUN 2015
“Wayne Bourque – The master of the ring proudly shows us his arena” by Derick Chetty, Zoomer Magazine
Wayne Bourque recipient, Lifetime Achievement Award
JUN 2012
The introductionvideofrom Wayne’s induction into the Wood Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.
JUN 2012
Honouring a boxing legend: Fort McMurray Today.Today chats with Fort McMurray’s Wayne Bourque about his induction into Wood Buffalo’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Toronto.com- Best in Category 2002Centre Ring was chosen byToronto.comas one of the best Gym/Fitness Centres in Toronto.
NOV 2000
Canadian Living Magazine-Best of the Village Awards:The Best Place to Get a Nose Job – We can’t guarantee you’ll like the shape of your nose, but we will promise that you’ll come out in the best shape of yourlife.
NOV 1998
Toronto Life MagazineEnter It. The boxing ring. But only if you want to be in on the latest fitness craze. Former Canadian boxing champ Wayne Bourque, who owns Centre RingBoxercise swearsthree workouts a week can keep/get you in fighting trim. It’s matchless for stress reduction, too.
NOV 1997
NOW Magazine Reader PollCentre Ring voted one of Toronto’s Best in fitness training
