What the Canberran kickboxing community lacks in numbers, it makes up for in Gaz ‘Chopper’ Rees: World Muay Thai Council champion, medallist at the Iran’s Presidents Cup, and all-around gentle giant of mixed martial arts coaching.
University of Canberra students might recognise him from his student-discounted classes, packed to the max every week at the UC Gym, until two years ago when he opened up his own place above Dickson shops.
Unfortunately, Chopper’s Gym took a fat punch soon after, facing the brunt of ACT’s 2021 “snap” lockdown.
Gyms may be among venues able to reopen their doors as of 15 October, but the strict capacity limitations mean businesses like Chopper’s have had to fight to stay upright a little longer.
“I know a lot of gyms have been struggling. We did get some help from the government with the business grants. But that’s only for companies, not for sole traders. A lot of people missed out. I lost maybe three quarters of my business.
“I’ve been running online classes, which haven’t been too bad. Just enough to pay the grocery bills.”
While lockdown has proved that a great many professions can be translated to online, Chopper’s is not among them, placing the business owner in a precarious position.
“It’s hard for new people to start in online classes. If they haven’t done any boxing before, it’s difficult to show them the basic techniques. I haven’t gained any business from the online classes, as they’re mostly for my clients who are continuing their training.”
Chopper’s will continue to run online until 30 October.
“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.”
For those wondering how Rees is training his clients at home without any equipment, the answer is a whole lot of shadow boxing.
“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.”
In response to the flood of interest already received from those wanting to join Chopper’s after the end of the month, Rees is grateful but cautions future clientele to be patient.
“There’s only so much we can do with restrictions, and we’re still not 100 per cent 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 heartily looks forward to reuniting with his Chopper’s family.
“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.”
He welcomes anyone keen to come and train to visit choppersgym.com.au to secure their spot.
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