A women and a man have a practive match in a gym in Baotou. [Photo/Baotou Daily]

Boxing is no longer just something that people in the city of Baotou, Inner Mongolia watch on TV, but something that just about anyone can take part in to improve their lives and has prove to be quite popular as a sport, Baotou Daily reported on Jan 22, noting that many gyms in the city are adding boxing rings and offering training to cater to the rising interest.

Sun Ling, a coach in a gym in Baotou's Donghe district, explained, "In the past, boxing was seen as something barbaric and violent, but now it has become a popular way of bodybuilding that combines strength and aerobics and an effective way to keep fit, while getting a certain confidence."

It is also seen as providing motivation and good for facing challenges, relieving stress, and staying competitive. One of Sun's students, the 28-year-old Zhang, attracts a certain amount of attention as one of the very few female members of the club. Zhang says that, "Sometimes, just sitting in the office all day can be so exhausting, so when I get off I come to box and feel good again. It's a good way to relax and workout."

Another member, Xiao Li, comments, "I really appreciate the atmosphere here and enjoy the bodybuilding process and it does help to relieve stress."