Since 4 weeks ago, I went back to my roots and attended Bernard Thelmo’s kickboxing class in Slimmers World International in Pasay Road. This is the first class that got me hooked in boxing, and in fairness to his class, this class helped me a lot to lose weight, and later on increase my jabbing power.
When I came back, Bernard was kidding me that I already chose Elorde over him. This got me thinking. I love both classes, and given the choice, I would have attended both. The major reason why I took a “leave of absence” from Bernard’s class was for me to be able to focus on my UKC training last year.
I realized that though both offer boxing classes, it’s not right to have the same expectations for both classes. Each class has something unique to offer.
When I go to Bernard’s Kickboxing class, I leave the boxer in me. I don’t expect to learn how to do competitive boxing here. In his class, I’m just a student with an unusual punching power for a girl. But that’s it. No need to brag about me being an Elorde student. What I love about his class? It’s a 1-hour to 2-hour class focused on cardio exercise. In his class, hatak talaga hangin mo. He is firm enough to push his students to their limits. Your stamina and endurance will definitely be tested in his class. It’s also a complete package with everything you need: cardio, weights, abs exercise. 1 session in his class and I already feel that I have my workout done for the day.
Working out in Elorde is a totally different scenario. In the boxing gym, I’m a totally different person. Trainers there joke around saying that I’m a biological boy who underwent surgery to be a girl. Operada raw ako. Other clients tell me that I act and train like a professional boxer, and some clients actually thought that I am one. What I love about Elorde? They taught me discipline. They started my habit of waking up early to run, with fear that skipping the roadwork would have an effect on my stamina. Aside from developing your stamina and endurance, my trainer really give me professional-like training. As in competitive training talaga, and not just training for the sake of weight loss. That’s why I also choose trainers. Otherwise, I don’t think I’ll be posting this entry comparing the two classes. The way my trainer is training me is really the competitive edge of Elorde, at least for me. Greatest compliment I received? It’s like that I punch like a man, and not just any other man but a good male boxer that is. Beat that! 
All in all, both classes contributed a lot to my fitness level now, and I don’t think I’ll be leaving any class anytime soon.
