"I have always had a fascination with boxing because it attracts the most bizarre mix of people, but the one thing they have in common is that they are honest and hardworking. You see a guy coming in wearing a suit with his briefcase and you think 'there is no way this guy is cut out for it' but people can surprise you. The man might start punching away and within a few minutes, you can see a boxer coming out in him. A lot of people come in wanting to get fit but not to fight. That's not a problem, but their attitude often changes after they start training. They watch the other guys and think 'well I could do that' and once they try it once, they are addicted. There is nothing like the high you get from being in the ring."

One of the main priorities of the coaches at Alpha 1 Gym is that the routine does not get repetitive and people do not get bored. After trying and failing to be motivated at the gym, Gerry says he and the other coaches have strived to come up with a tough but exciting workout for their members. "Our main focus is that no two sessions are the same. I've been a member of a couple of gyms and you always find that you are bored off your head. Here you are being constantly coached and pushed forward so the time flies! We coach classes here for all levels, from beginners right up to professionals and people seem to really like that dynamic. There are three stages of classes from 45-minute sessions, up to 1 hour and 15 minutes but no exercise lasts more than two minutes. This means that people aren't getting bored and they keep up the momentum. We work on everything from cardio fitness to core strength, as well as speed and agility. Members can also come in and out and train on their own when it suits, and now you see a lot of people coming in early to beat the traffic and then doing a session before they go to work. It is a great stress buster as well, nothing works out that frustration better than pounding on a bag!"

Alpha 1 Gym is located above Olympic Physique, at Glenrock Business Park, Ballybane Industrial Estate. For more information, call 091-758725.

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