Sonja Moses HIITBOX Event: Ministry of Sound Club 2017

Do you trust your survival instincts?

Sunday morning I arrived at the Ministry of Sound Club in Gaunt Street, London to take part it Sonja Moses HIITBOX event.

I don’t think I will ever find the right words to describe the event and it’s atmosphere itself but when Sonja Moses and her Ninja’s bring you HIITBOX then you know you’re in for one hell of a ride. A very sweaty, intense, kinda ride. 

“It’s time to trust your survival instincts and get ready to experience that fight night feeling, all with the heart-thumping bass of Ministry go Sound’s legend sound system and live DJ”

After Sonja’s event last december, she came back in full force, challenging you to unleash your inner bad-ass and to bring your A-game to what could possibly be the most intense, high energy HIIT boxing experience I’ve ever experienced.

The event itself consisted of 12 round of pads interspersed with high intensity fitness moves coupled with the heart-thumping bass of Ministry of Sound’s legendary sound system. This too, was accompanied by live MC rhymes by the legendary BitBeefy and DJ, Karl Vincent.

On arrival to the event I couldn’t help but wonder what on earth we were about to experience. As we walked into the arches of the Ministry of Sound Club we were welcomed by the team who were serving up Botanic Lab tonic drinks on the tables for us all as pre workout drinks. Cause boy, would we need them!

The tonic drinks themselves were pretty tasty. I could only describe them as one of my favourite sour sweets – a tart and herbaceous tonic combining Seabuckthorn berries with a proprietary adaptogenic botanical blend.

Once we necked the drinks back and had our hands wrapped we were then told to form two seperate lines. One for those who had blue crosses on their arms, and one for those who had red. Once I joined the red queue we were then directed into a dark corridor. The excitement soon hit. Once both colours were in the dark corridor the music soon hit and we were jumped by the Ninja’s to perform a warm up to prepare us for the boxing.

Once we completed the warm up we were then led through double doors where we entered a room full of neon lights, with the Ninja’s huddled together on the floor infront of a huge ‘HIITBOX’ sign that shone bright behind the DJ.

We we’re then instructed to take our places with our partners in the white boxes marked out on the event flooring. I partnered up with the lovely Max from @sunshineandwaffles and boy, did I need her as my partner! Without her I 100% would have not made it through. Yes, it was intense!

Once we got into our boxes we were then welcomed by a boxing referee. You know, the guy who screams ‘LETS GET READY TO RUMBLEEEEEE’ – Yeah, him. He introduced the Ninja’s one by one and then ended with our host, Sonja Moses. Now it was time to let the games begin.

Image Credit: Sonja Moses

Round 1 kicked off with the basics. But, don’t be fooled when I say basics – I don’t mean easy. After continuious jabs my shoulder were on fire! It doesn’t get any easier when you switch sides onto the pads. Oh no. My whole upper body was completley engaged (especially my triceps) to control my partner’s jabs and what not. Boxing really does test you to your limits and works muscles you never even knew existed!

Now times that by 12 and you’ve got 12 intense round of pad work. You can bet that there was sweat. Heck, I don’t think i’ve ever sweated that much in my life! You can bet there was swearing. You can bet my muscles were dying. But most importantly, there was a room full of incredible energy soaring high with the electric tunes! I was completely in my element.

As each round went, we were tested further and further. Think of the move: 1 cross jab, 1 burpee, 2 cross jabs, 2 burpress, 3 cross jabs, 3 burpees on so forth, until you reach 10. Let me tell you, it wasn’t pretty.

But after an hour of intense boxing and being pushed to our limits we made it. We may have been a replica of sweaty, slippery dolphins, but honestly? Who cared. I was in a room filled with an enormous buzz from people doing something they loved and who were prepared to test their minds and body.

After a quick cool down we gathered for a group photo. Max and I also managed to grab a photo with Sonja – ninja style. Look at that glow – Oh sorry, I mean sweat.

Image Credit: Sonja Moses

After a quick shot of some photos we headed back to the cafeteria/bar entrance for some well deserved post workout goodies. I was pretty impressed by the range supplied by Botanic Lab, Soul Mate Food and Pip & Nut. I headed straight towards the drinks. I needed something wholesome and packed with the good stuff!

Botanic Labs were on hand with their Isotonic drink – the original cold pressed charcoal sports drink. Whilst it doesn’t look pretty, it sure as hell tasted nice! I definitely had a taste of something exotic with an intense citrus tang. Again, it tasted like one of my favourite sour sweets.

I then topped myself up with the main food provided by Soul Mate Food. We’re talking delicious and soulful foods made from all the good stuff. Nothing nasty!

They had provided generous boxes for us all for lunch such as Piri Piri Chicken, Chicken and Chorizo or some other vegan/vegaterian friendly dishes. But the best part? The desserts! They had a range of brownies, a delicious chocolatey biscuit square (which was amazing!), flapjacks and an apple crumble yoatie. You can bet I took one of each! 

Overall, the whole experience was challenging (to say the least) but I loved every minute of it! I loved the challenge, I loved the burn in my muscles and I loved the atmosphere. I certainly tested my strength in a different way than usual and I left with the motivation of wanting to take up further boxing classes. Honestly, you have to try it!

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