 As the North East's obesity problem grows, more and more people are turning to different forms of exercise as a way to stay healthy. But forget pilates or "bums and tums" - one of the most comprehensive fitness plans there is can be found at your local boxing club Boxing is a high-intensity, full body workout that will keep you moving the whole time. It burns fat, keeps you fit and primes your reflexes, agility and co-ordination. One man who knows more than most is former world boxing champion Glenn McCrory, who runs the International School of Boxing in Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle. Glenn, 42, became the International Boxing Federation's cruiserweight world champion in 1989, and more recently has been involved in acting, screenwriting and talent-spotting for the 2012 London Olympics. He says: "The benefits of taking up boxing are great. It combats every single part of the body: cardiovascular, muscles, stamina - everything. "It's the greatest thing. Ask any boxer and they won't be able to recommend any better way of getting fit." The Chronicle recently revealed the North East has the worst childhood obesity rates in the UK so Glenn is enthusiastic about getting youngsters involved in the sport. "You can start at any age. Young, old, it doesn't matter, as long as you can stand up, you can box," he said. Indeed, early childhood is a critical time to form self-esteem and confidence, and the boxing ring is an ideal place to develop these attributes, as well as physical fitness. And if properly coached with the right protective wear, the sport is safe. Glenn added: "It's not dangerous at all. It doesn't even come close to being dangerous. There are so many other sports out there that are worse. Because boxing is about fitness and complete control, it's totally safe. "Parents should not worry about their kids getting involved - it's good for them both physically and mentally. If they are trained properly, then nothing bad can happen to them." Indeed, anyone considering going to a boxing club to work out, needs only to make sure that the instructor - like Glenn - is fully qualified. For prospective champs, Glenn has some sensible advice: "Keep away from fast foods, burger bars and junk foods. And brush your teeth. I can't emphasise that enough - you must brush your teeth. It's about keeping general good health and that's one of the most basic things." As for keeping fit, he recommends that everybody - whether a boxer or not - does more walking, cycling, or any small amount of exercise each day. He says: "Your body is your most important possession. You need to look after it." Boxing is proven to be a very high-energy sport which conditions the whole body and not just certain muscle groups. You can burn up to 150 calories by sparring for just 15 minutes, or over 200 boxing in a ring. Even punching a bag for quarter of an hour will use up over 80 calories. So how long would you have to box before you start seeing results? Glenn estimates that around six months would get most people to their peak physical fitness, but even the first session can be massively beneficial as a confidence-booster. "Within six months in my gym, you'll be close to being a champ," he said. "Within two years, you'll be a champ and within four years, you can reach an Olympic standard." Most people notice a difference in their weight and tone after about a month of training. Combined with a healthy eating plan, this can be dramatically beneficial to weight loss as well as general health. It's a common misconception that boxing concentrates on arm strength, but it's also especially good for toning your bottom and quadricep muscles - perfect for women who want to lose weight around their bottom and thighs as part of an overall fat reduction programme. Similar training regimes to those used by boxers, but without the need for throwing punches, emerged in the early 90s. "Boxercise" and "boxaerobics" provide exercise with an attitude and are designed to increase interest in the sport among women. One budding fighter is Faye Scope, a 21-year-old model and dancer from Palmersville. She recently signed up for training and hasn't looked back since. "I've been to a few sessions now and I really enjoy it," she said. "I was encouraged to go there by Glenn's wife, Miranda, who I dance with sometimes. "The facilities are fantastic. You can use the gym if you like, or you can have a one-to-one session with one of the trainers. "It's definitely a good way to exercise. I do dancing anyway, but this is just another way to keep fit and it's really good fun. "I was a bit nervous initially, but had a great time on my very first session. A lot of people have the idea that boxing clubs are just for men, but Glenn's has a brilliant atmosphere and I feel really comfortable going there now." And Glenn is trying to widen participation in the sport. His academy is modern and airy, with Olympic standard facilities - a far cry from the sweaty, male-dominated gyms of the past. Louise Mullen, a 22-year-old professional dancer from Killingworth who also attends the academy, said: "I mainly go for the boxing aerobics session, which is aerobics-based, but with punching movements. "It's great for your stomach muscles and gets you mega-fit, so it's ideal for me as a dancer. I'd definitely recommend it, especially for females. "Women and girls shouldn't sweat about going along. Everyone's dead nice and the gym is really friendly. I was introduced by Glenn's wife, who I dance with, but even Glenn and the other trainers do the aerobics sessions." --------------------------------------------------------- Diet advice for boxers Professional boxers have to maintain a strict diet not only to keep their muscles at an optimum, explosive strength, but also to stay as close as possible to their weight category. However, you don't need to be a pro-boxer to eat healthily and increase muscle mass. The important thing is to balance your protein intake with an appropriate amount of exercise. If you are very active, replace energy with protein and carbohydrates, as well as the usual balance of vitamins and minerals. --------------------------------------------------------- Exercise tips * Skipping - increases stamina and develops nimble feet and general agility. * A good punch bag will help you burn up calories and improve muscle tone. * Make sure you use gloves and adequate wrist protection. * Sparring provides ideal full-body conditioning. It develops reflexes, technique and is a great cardiovascular workout. * Lay off the fast food and brush your teeth! --------------------------------------------------------- Health benefits of the sport * A sparring session can burn up to 600 calories an hour, which helps maintain a healthy heart. * Improves muscle tone - if it's a lean and mean body you're after, this is the sport for you. * Lowers cholesterol and maintains body strength, particularly in the upper back and arms. * Improves strength and stamina very quickly. * Many boxers gain a sense of inner strength and emotional balance. Glenn McCrory's International School of Boxing: 0191 214 6228. --------------------------------------------------------- Rules, custom and safety * Sparring is not brawling. It's focussed on discipline and control, rather than simply causing harm to your opponent. * Neither is it populated by `meatheads'; there are rules, customs and agreements, making injury unlikely. * Rocky Balboa style training regimes are not particularly realistic. Varied and innovative fitness schedules are the order of the day - so you won't have to climb to the peak of Cow Hill 100 times to get in shape (though it can't hurt). * Fully licensed and professional trainers have first aid and know enough about the sport to prevent any dangerous injuries. * Women and children are welcomed in most boxing clubs. | 
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