Brawl Your Way to Fitness Then Become an Iron Man (or Woman) Before 2017 Gets Out of Hand

We're halfway through the first month of 2017 and let me guess: you're still working on those resolutions.

Well if fitness is in your future, then why not tie your resolutions to some goals: learn to fight in the ring and participate in a triathlon, all without leaving the comfy confines of the Fifth Ring Road.

First off: amateur boxers and Fight Club fans will be happy to hear White Collar Boxing is returning to Beijing after missing 2016.

The black-tie event features local boxers trained for 12 weeks prior to the fight. Both men and women are welcome to participate. Fighters complete the training, with the top contestants given the opportunity to box on the night. 

Orientation and registration events will be held January 16  at Shangdu SOHO, South Tower, Room 2237. Training begins at Fight Republic on February 6, with the main event taking place on April 29 at the Park Hyatt Beijing. 

No prior boxing experience is necessary, although it is helpful. For more information, visit the White Collar Boxing site. 

Meanwhile, if punching people isn't your thing, make your New Year's resolutions more real by signing up for the sprint or Olympic distance races at the 2017 Beijing International Triathlon when registration opens on February 14 at 10am. 

The sprint distance race will be held on Saturday, September 9, followed by Olympic distance on Sunday, September 10. The sprint distance race is a 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, and a five-kilometer run. The Olympic distance race is a 1,500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike, and a 10-kilometer run. C'mon, you can do it. 

The race will be held again at the Garden Expo Park in Fengtai district. While the sprint course is essentially flat, the Olympic distance takes racers up into nearby hills. Approximately 400 participants may run in each race.

Both races sold out quickly last year, especially the short one. A word to would-be registrants: get your Alipay account sorted out before February 14. Race organizers had not embraced WeChat Wallet for 2016 registration, and their other payment options are touchy. 

Beijing International Triathlon is organized by IMG Worldwide, and overseen by the International Triathlon Union. It is also the only race that serves as a qualifier for the 2018 Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon in California. 

For more information, visit the Beijing International Triathlon website.

Photo: Triathlon Business/Rocky Arroyo

Photos courtesy of White Collar Boxing