One London gym's solution to flab is "chav bashing" classes. Gymbox, which has three locations around London, has started a new workout called chav fighting. Chav is not used here in the states but it is a negative word to describe young, white and poor people in England.
Here is the offensive class description: "Don't give moody grunting chav's an asbo (anti-social behavior disorder), give them a kicking. Forget stealing candy from a baby. We'll teach you how to take a Bacardi off a hoodie and turn a grunt into a whine. Welcome to chav fighting, a place where the punch bags gather dust and the world is put to rights," the website says.
Put to rights? it just seems to be inciting a violent culture. It is undeniable that all of this reflects on the sport of boxing. One more undeserving bad rap for boxing. People who read this assume this represents boxing. It is unfortunate.
This boxing gym also has a "Warrior workout" where you are invited to take out your frustrations on anyone you hate. "You know those commuters, colleagues and family members who really get on your wick? Well now you can pretend to pummel the hell out of them in the name of physical fitness. And while you're at it, you can look in the mirror and notice how sexy you look with a big stick in your hand," explains the website.
This is silly but certainly less mean spirited because the key word is "pretend." Other inane class offerings include bitch boxing", "stiletto workout", and boob aerobics." Again, more silly than harmful. But the gestalt of this boxing gym is mean spirited and bad taste.
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