East-West Gym Melds Boxing, Kickboxing, Aikido

Two rows of hanging heavy bags on steel framework, which could have been pulled from any boxing gym, take up one third of East-West Gym & Fitness, located at 44710 Cape Court, Suite 118, right above . The other two-thirds, though, seem to have been transplanted from a traditional aikido dojo, complete with Asian wall prints and the faux-matted flooring. In short, the gym seems to have been melded from two disparate elements.

Asim Hanif, founder of the East-West, has brought aikido and boxing together as the core of his fitness program. Boxing, the western art of fist fighting, would seem to have little in common with aikido, a traditional Japanese martial art more often noted for its contemplative nature and cooperative training modes. Hanif believes the two are complementary in many ways and can help develop a broad base in fitness and long-term health.

Hanif, average-sized but very fit in appearance, doesn't look like the type of person who would be as well trained as he is. With his glasses on, and with his soft voice and diction, he looks more like a high school teacher. He distinguishes what he teaches from so-called "fitness boxing," which has become a mainstay in many commercial gyms.

"I don't teach fitness boxing," Hanif said matter-of-factly. "Many fitness professionals get a certification in fitness boxing or kickboxing to teach group classes. In my case, I have a black belt in two traditional Japanese martial arts, but in addition have competed in professional kickboxing, winning two titles.”

Hanif also managed and trained professional boxers and kickboxers. He points to his years of experience, and his ability to train top athletes.

“My knowledge base isn't the product of a certification course, but rather one of several decades of training,” he said. “I teach the kind of boxing and kickboxing that I've taught to professionals who want to fight for a living."

Prospective members might why that matters to the average white-collar fitness enthusiast, but Hanif is quick to explain.

"When I teach a member how to throw a punch, I also show them all the subtle biomechanical adjustments that make the punch more effective in a competitive fight," he said.

He then demonstrated a slow-motion punch while he speaks, pointing out all the tweaks and adjustment as he does so.

"And when I teach them to wrap their hands, or adjust their bodies to make their punches and kicks more effective, it's not only to help them punch and kick better, but train safer as well," he said, adding that safe training is the mark of a true professional. "A professional can't afford to be injured in training. If a pro hurts himself and can't fight, his family doesn't eat."

However, white-collar athletes have some of the same concerns, Hanif added, because sprained wrists and can cause problems for people working at computers or some other task requirement dexterity.

East-West offers a softer approach as well through its aikido program (www.potomacaikikai.org), which can be an effective complement to boxing.

"Aikido is a martial way, not a sport, so it's not competitive,” Hanif said. “The challenge in aikido is to master yourself, mentally and physically, in a more contemplative manner. Aikido is a long-term martial art, one you don't expect to fully master for years, if ever."

Hanif said aikido improves an athlete’s core, posture, internal energy, focus and balance, things we all need for a good quality of life, and that it’s considered a form of moving Zen.

It might seem odd to combine two such disparate arts as boxing and aikido, but Hanif believes his dual approach allows his gym to work for a wide variety of clients – from youth to adult, men and women, executives and athletes, and a few stay-at-home parents.