WAC Magazine

JANUARY | 2015

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I was 10 years old when I decided I wanted to box. Specifically, I told my dad I wanted to fight in the Golden Gloves boxing tournament. Dad told me girls weren't allowed to box. When I heard that, I immediately came to the one logical conclusion: Boxing must be the stupidest sport ever. I continued with my athletic endeavors—baseball, swimming, soccer, volleyball, basketball, track, and even Gaelic football and rugby—doing pretty much anything that seemed remotely competitive and preferably very physical. No matter the sport, I have always loved the feeling of using my body to its fullest. In 1998, at age 27, I was a member of the U.S. Women's Rugby World Cup team. At the time, it seemed like the peak of my competitive and athletic career. Little did I know some of my toughest workouts were yet to come. Four years after the World Cup, I again started to think about boxing. Only this time, there was no one to tell me no. At first, I approached the sport as a way to improve my fitness. Without giving or taking any punches, I got my butt kicked in the workouts right from the start. I never left the gym with a dry shirt. In all my years of competitive athletics, I have never pushed myself as hard as I do in the boxing gym. To deliver a punch while moving you must concentrate fully. To go three minutes with a heavy bag your body must engage completely. And to hold your ground in the face of a physical threat you must grow emotionally. Not only that, but running, jumping rope, and throwing punches at inanimate objects will work up a sweat you can't believe. Even if you never enter the ring, training like a fighter will increase your fitness level and boost your confidence. It will force you to challenge yourself and push beyond limits you didn't even know existed. It's a tall order, but it's worth challenging yourself to answer the bell. I know I'm glad I did. 16 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | JANUARY 2015 Pulling punches Answer the bell with boxing workouts and challenge your fitness level Getting Fit By Tricia Arcaro Turton, WAC Boxing Instructor Tricia Arcaro Turton teaches on Sunday afternoons at the WAC. She won a national championship as an amateur boxer and posted an 8-4 record as a pro. SAMPLE BOXING WORKOUT • Jump rope for three minutes. Three sets with 30 seconds rest between sets. • Hold a front plank for 25 seconds. Four sets. • Hold a side plank for 25 seconds. Four sets on each side. • Complete 25 air squats. Four sets with 30 seconds rest between sets. K R I S TA S E R I A N N I

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