In a recent interview, Jennifer Aniston couldn’t stop raving about her new workout. A life-long yoga devotee, Jen has swapped downward dogs for boxing and has been training at Santa Monica’s Gloveworx under former heavyweight champ Leyon Azubuike.
“I have this trainer named Leyon, who I believe hung the moon,” she gushed. “It’s the longest workout I’ve actually stayed with consistently other than yoga. There’s something about the mental aspect of boxing, the drills – your brain has to work, you’re not just sitting on a bike. It’s amazing. You get a mental release of all this crap you’re taking into your ears and eyes every day, and have little fantasy moments imagining who you’re punching,” she says. Hmmm, we wonder who that could be?
But the love is mutual, with Leyon praising the 49-year-old star for her dedication. “She’s very diligent,” he’s said. “She is ready to work out hard, every single time she hits the gym. Whether it be a 45-minute session, whether it be a two-hour session, she’s always ready to go… and that makes my job a little bit easier.”
So, why has boxing got Jen so buzzed? According to Leyon, the secret lies in the variety of the training, which blitzes every body part and keeps you on your toes – sometimes literally. “It’s very interactive, and the best part about the boxing, specifically, is that it’s infinitely progressive,” he explains. “You’re learning something new every single time you put on a pair of gloves.”
And you don’t need to be a wannabe Nicola Adams, either. Gloveworx, like many specialist boxing gyms that are popping up all over the world, teaches clients in a class environment, where you’ll find yourself doing a mix of strength conditioning, cardio and core work. Leyon says, “Your arms will burn, your legs will burn, your core is always engaged and it’s just as much mental as physical.” Ding-ding!
Heat tries Gloveworx
To find out just how athletic Jen-An really is, heat tried out her favourite class…
We love intense workouts, but we can’t help feeling intimidated upon entering Gloveworx for the first time. The 5,000 sq ft, state-of-the-art studio is located in Santa Monica, and offers a mix of one-on-one and small group sessions, with the Gloveworx Signature Session as its most popular option.
A full-sized boxing ring commands our attention right away, but beyond it we notice heavy bags, rowing machines, VersaClimbers, lifting racks – and a room full of tanned, toned, and grunting LA beefcakes.
Determined to channel our inner Aniston, we book a 60-minute one-on-one session. Our coach, Cam, leads us through a warm-up, before lacing up our gloves and taking us through the essential boxing combinations. We’re shocked to find that not only is this physically exhausting, but mentally as well – zone out for a moment and you will completely lose your step.
In between combinations in the ring, Cam orders us onto the VersaClimber for sprint intervals – the combination leaves us breathless, sweaty and completely humbled.
As the workout wraps up and we attempt to get our heart rate under control, it’s glaringly obvious to us that this workout is not easy and that Jennifer Aniston would almost certainly beat us in a fight.
FIGHT CLUB!
Virgin Active’s BOX CLEVER
Classes burn up to 500 calories a session, and you’ll work in pairs to learn genuine boxing techniques in sweat-inducing three-minute bursts.
BXR
One of London’s swankiest gyms, it was opened by world champ Anthony Joshua, and attracts celebs including top VS models and Love Island’s Josh Denzel.
BOXX METHOD
The world’s No1 online boxing training platform, offering real-time classes and fitness plans you can do from your bedroom.