If you’ve ever wanted to explore a new form of physical activity but aren’t sure where to start, you’re definitely not alone. For me, that challenge has always been boxing. As someone with the most basic hand-eye coordination skills, you can understand my concern. After too long questions about when I would finally take my first class, I decided the most logical first step was to consult the experts for the ultimate beginners guide to boxing.

Known to many as Australia’s least intimidating boxing class, I naturally headed straight for top-notch fitness studio Hustle Boxing to get my questions answered. First opened in Sydney in 2019, the fitness studio has just opened its second location in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, fully equipped with the brand new Hustle Track concept – in case you’re looking for a treadmill and floor workout !

But of course, before we get to that, most of us are here to answer the basics, and Hustle Boxing founding trainer Sam Maree was happy to oblige.

What is the first thing a person new to boxing should know?

Boxing is a journey of a lifetime and whether you are a beginner or a professional, you are always learning! There is an incredible amount of skill to learn as a boxer and it really is a beautiful sport.

Are there different types of boxing training? How do you know which type of training is best for you?

Of course there are! That probably simplifies things a bit, but we’d say there’s fitness boxing, technical boxing, and then something like Hustle – which we think falls right in the middle of providing a great workout while developing and improving your skills at the same time. The only way to find out what works for you is to try them out and see what works for you and where you’re looking to go in the sport.

How many times a week should you do boxing training?

As many times as you want! You know the saying, practice makes perfect. Well, there couldn’t be a truer analogy than putting that to boxing. That said, listen to your body and if you feel sore or prone to injury, give yourself a break so you can come back in a day or two ready to fire again!

What are five common mistakes people make when they first start boxing?

1. Taking yourself too seriously – Boxing really is an art and it takes years and years to perfect. Don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t “get it” right away, or even in the first few months – persevere!

2. Boxing isn’t (necessarily) a fight and you definitely don’t need to bring agro to a boxing class to have fun.

3. Listen! People might think they know a thing or two about throwing a fist, but in our experience, 9 out of 10 times they don’t! Listen to your instructor and enjoy the process of learning something new from a humble perspective.

4. All the gear, no idea! One of the best things about boxing is its simplicity, you can literally start training without any equipment. The latest sportswear is cute and who doesn’t want a brand new pair of boxing kicks, but at the end of the day, all we need you to bring is the right attitude.

5. It’s all about the footwork! Most beginners are completely unaware of the importance of footwork. Once you learn the basics of correct footwork and practice consistently, your boxing will transform!

How does boxing enhance other existing forms of fitness/training in your regimen?

Our fitness products have been specially designed to work hand in hand. Besides the obvious skill-enhancing aspect, our boxing works with our functional training by keeping your heart rate elevated as you go from boxing to floor and back again.

Tell me a bit about the new Hustle Boxing space. Why Brisbane?

Space in Brisbane is truly next level! We launched 3 years ago in Potts Point, Sydney and this space blew people away, but it raised the bar again! We have two amazing nightclub-inspired fitness areas with state-of-the-art technology including commercial-grade stereos, customizable lighting and giant screens displaying workout instructions so you can see them wherever you are in the house. room. The bathrooms are inspired by day spas (and they’re really nice) with Dyson hairdryers, massive showers with fluffy towels, and even a custom make-up station for the girls! Our halls are equally cool and have been designed to be truly non-intimidating (like everything we do!) and a great space to share with old and new friends before and after a class.

Hustle Track is an extremely unique concept. What are the benefits of merging the two forms of fitness in this way?

We’re so proud of Hustle Track and absolutely thrilled to bring it exclusively to Brisbane (sorry Sydney!). Everyone who tries Hustle loves it, from the front desk experience to the wallpaper you can afford in our bathrooms, it all works. Our boxing classes are hugely popular and obviously will always be a big part of what we do (just look at our name) but we also know that people want and need variety which is why we have introduced Hustle Track . It’s the same experience of high intensity, thumping tunes and big vibes, but instead of aqua bags, we’ve introduced feature-rich treadmills that can reach insane levels of incline and high speeds (if you dare!). We find that our members love the mix of boxing and running on different days and really aren’t looking anywhere outside of the Hustle brand for their full fitness fix!