A Knockout Body Workout

An increasing number of women are throwing punches to keep fit, Li Xueqing reports in Shanghai

Saturday afternoons can at times be an unusual affair for Zhao Qian and her 4-year-old son. Instead of taking the boy to a park or an amusement center, the 31-year-old sometimes brings him along to the boxing studio that she frequents. At home, the child creates a makeshift ring using his toy cars and gets his mother to spar with him.

Zhao picked up boxing just a year ago and it was, in a way, because of her son. She was desperate for a fitness regime to get back in shape after her son's birth. Furthermore, she was also seeking something to break the monotony of parenting duties.