Why bother to get fit? Physical activity makes you stronger, fitter and faster and, if that isn’t enough, improves your health. Regular exercise can reduce cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension and has a positive effect on everything from bone density to body fat levels and, lest we forget, enhances psychological wellbeing. So physical fitness makes you to look good, feel good and helps give you the mental fortitude to tackle your challenges. You’ve got to like that!

If you’re interested in getting fitter, stronger and healthier then you’ve come to the right place. The beauty of training at the Armoury is that it is very comprehensive, covering all six ‘S’s of the the boxers training regime - Speed, Stamina, Strength, Suppleness, Skill and pSychology (okay, so we may have taken a few too many blows to the head but we do know that psychology isn’t spelt with an S, however, ‘five S’s and a P’ doesn’t have the quite the same ring to it!); it works the whole body, covers all aspects of fitness and is challenging, yet fun. The classes at the Armoury have been developed to incorporate all of the S’s within a varied and progressive schedule, at times of your convenience, so that you can pick and mix your classes to meet all of your fitness needs.

The Boxing Fitness classes typify what the Armoury is all about – skipping, circuits, pad and bag work – sweaty and intense, the best all over workout you’ll ever get. But, whilst awesome, they can be a bit ‘full-on’ and are not, therefore, for everyone or for all of the time. The Armoury Physical Training classes, on the other hand, are run by highly experienced Physical Training Instructors to add balance and address fitness fundamentals. They comprise interval training and simple exercises, done with precision, with correct technique, using minimal kit - to build a good base and take your fitness to the next level. Whilst this ‘back to basics’ approach uses good old fashioned techniques we also use some of the latest equipment and exercises (we love TRX and Kettlebells, for example) and add progression and variety so that you stay interested, motivated and get results, fast.

Boxers recognize the importance of running (‘road work”) as the simplest and most accessible method for building aerobic fitness - so that they have the Stamina to go the distance and the Speed to punch and move explosively. Our experience, however, is that many of our members rely on their gym time alone to get into good shape, whilst others may jog or run at a steady state without introducing challenges into their running. Running can also be solitary and, for some, not much fun. Informed by the requirements of the six S’s, and with the benefits of team work in mind, we’ve introduced Squad Running into our training schedule and, being the Armoury, do it in a particular style. Drawing on Steve Burke’s experience as an officer in the elite British Parachute Regiment, we’ve developed an authentic paratrooper approach which combines squad running at an even pace with bursts of individual effort (fartlek, interval and hill running). Whilst catering for all levels of fitness, don’t be surprised to be subjected to some gentle encouragement along the way (you know, “the only place you’ll find sympathy here is in the dictionary”, “it’s all about mind over matter – I don’t mind and you don’t matter” or “can’t equals won’t and won’t equals press-ups” – you get the drift; work hard, keep smiling!)

The Armoury Physical Training concept embraces the scheduled Physical Training classes, Squad Runs, one-on-one personal training, partner training and also small group classes where you get together with some colleagues or mates to train with one of our instructors at a time (even place) of your own choosing.

• We’ve always incorporated strength and conditioning into our fitness training but I’d never used the TRX or Kettlebells until I was introduced to them by Andy Pow at the Armoury Boxing Club. My old sparring partner David Haye (WBA world heavyweight champion) raves about Kettlebells and now I know why. I feel as though we’ve missed out in the past by not having this great kit and I am certainly going to be getting TRX and Kettlebells for the new Army boxing gym.
  
  Tony Davis, England coach and Head Coach, the British Army boxing team