Beyond the Weights: Benefits of Boxing, Pilates & Functional Training

WORDS HUNTLEE FITNESS & BEK ROBINSON

Credit: Standing Free Photography

Most of us start our fitness routines on the gym floor with dumbbells and machines. For many people, that’s enough.

For others, real momentum comes once they step into a class environment. The room has a pulse, the plan is set for you, and all you need to do is show up, breathe and follow the cues. At Huntlee Fitness, three member favourites sit at the heart of that common experience, each offering a slightly different path to feeling strong, steady and energised.

On days when you need to clear your head and lift your heart rate, boxing is difficult to beat. Simple combinations and pad rounds create a rhythmic sweat that feels equal parts cardio, coordination and stress release. Beginners can keep it light and focus on footwork; regulars can push their pace and power.

“The music, the pads, the cues, it gives people something positive to lock onto,” says Group Fitness Coordinator Bek Robison.

“Ten minutes in, the day’s noise seems quieter, and they leave with a clearer head.”

When your body asks for realignment and control, Pilates answers with precision. Mat sequences build deep core strength, teach better breathing, and reintroduce you to muscles that lie quietly beneath the surface. Desk workers notice their shoulders soften, and runners feel a more stable stride.

“I think Pilates helps people reconnect with how they move. We hear it often: less tension through the back and neck, more confidence in everyday tasks,” says Bek.

And then there’s Functional Training, connecting the dots to everyday life, using the patterns of movement you rely on most: push, pull, hinge, squat, and carry, organised into clear intervals that are simple to learn and easy to scale. The benefits of Functional Training are evident outside the gym, from weekday morning school runs to weekend sports.

“What surprises people is how quickly their progress shows up in everyday life. Carrying groceries, playing with the kids, weekend sport; they’re feeling stronger where it counts,” Bek says.

Ready to explore a fitness routine beyond the weights? All you need is an open mind and a towel, and to give it a go. ‘Small’ starts to add up quickly.