October 30. Rees shared the challenges in the business. He said, “Group classes being off limits is not great for us. Even with gyms open, we’re only allowed to do weight training. The main thing we do here is boxing and Muay Thai, with a small weights area in the back of the gym. We’re opening that up, but people aren’t allowed to use the bags, or do pad work, which is a bit stupid as it’s much easier to sterilise a bag than it is weights equipment.” To those who are curious about how Rees coaches his customers at home without the use of equipment, the answer is a lot of shadow boxing. Rees said, “It’s underrated for how much it helps to improve basic skills. Some of our people have definitely improved their shadow sparring skills from online training.”
Rees expressed gratitude for the outpouring of enthusiasm from people who wish to join Chopper’s after the end of the month, but advises prospective clients to exercise patience. He said, “There’s only so much we can do with restrictions, and we’re still not 100 percent sure what those will look like after the 30th [October]. It might just be bag work, it might be back to normal; the main thing we need from customers is to be patient regardless.” Rees is ecstatic to be reunited with Chopper’s family. He said, “I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone back at the gym, all the people that we used to spend every evening training with but haven’t seen in months.” Anyone interested in training may visit choppersgym.com.au to reserve a seat.
