Indulge Does: UBX Mount Maunganui - high intensity training that values time

Annemarie Quill works out with UBX trainer Hannah Vaiese. Photo / Kristin Macfarlane

I don't have the time.

My work hours are all over the place and I can't commit.

The training sessions I enjoy don't have class times that suit my schedule.

I've used all these excuses before.

Last year I was probably the busiest I've been and I used those excuses more than I ever have. And right now, I'm in the worst shape of my life.

But it wasn't without intention. I started 2019 with good ones ... long story short I signed up to a gym and basically just donated a portion of my pay packet to the business.

Fast forward today and I've allowed my fitness levels to drop to near non-existent.

I'm bigger than I've ever been and I'm the most unfit I've ever been but if I'm being completely honest there are no excuses for it. The only reason my physical health and fitness has slipped is because I've not made it my priority and I'm ready to claim it back.

So when we were invited to try UBX Mount Maunganui it couldn't have come at a better time. UBX is a boxing and strength-based club where you work out over 12 three-minute rounds - much like a 12-round championship boxing fight - with a 30-second rest between each round. It's a high intensity circuit-type training and included in those 30 seconds of rest is getting to your next circuit.

It's a good kind of hard. When we first walked in I was nervous, purely because I know how slack I've been and most people who have had time away from maintaining their fitness, understand how hard it is to get that motivation to start again. From lunges, to boxing pad work and on the bag and speedball, to weights and resistance training you know you've endured a full body workout ... you know that feeling of being completely satisfied after a workout? Yeah, that.

It's not intimidating and having coaches to guide you through any workout you're unsure about, while also pushing you to push yourself - and if you're Annemarie, a few encouraging words to stop jabbering can go a long way, too.

The money of the whole experience is that there are no actual class times because each round works on a boxing timer.

As someone who has often used the time excuse, being able to join in at any point during their opening hours that suits my schedule is actually the biggest attraction for me. It means I really can't use that excuse again, which is exactly what I need to get back into claiming my fitness back.

Obviously I could always do some sort of training from home at any time of the day or night if I really wanted to. But in reality that hasn't gone to plan in recent months due to my own lack of motivation and priorities, so there's no point in having the same plan and expecting change.

- Indulge was invited to trial UBX Mount Maunganui to find out what they're all about.