LA BOXING - PUTTING A PUNCH TO FITNESS

COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA - (February 24, 2005) - Mary Lee Nelson, 55, was always fit. "But things slid, and I got busy," she said. So in January Nelson decided to do something about it. She walked into LA Boxing, through a forest of punching bags hanging from the ceiling, and became a member. She drives from Dana Point four times a week for classes.

Manager Mike Pacholik has been in the boxing business for 15 years and opened in Aliso Viejo three years ago. His classes include 60 percent women, he said, and members are ages 5 to 66. "This workout makes you limber," he said. "It’s for cardio-vascular fitness, and it’s sports specific. You have to do it to be good at it."

There’s a boxing ring at LA Fitness, but Pacholik said 90 percent of his clients never use the ring. For those who do, gloves are available although some members prefer to buy their own. Members bind their hands with tape from below the knuckles to above the wrist, even if they never put on gloves. "Those that want to test their skill levels might ask to spar with someone in the ring," he said. "But we control sparring. We match people up with size, weight and skills. "Working out is a big thing here but people are tired of the gym. There’s no accountability. They give up because no one cares about what they need." Pacholik called it a migration from other fitness gyms to LA Boxing.

At LA Boxing the instructor motivates his classes, Pacholik said. Members work harder, but there’s a faster result. "I come every day," said Chuck Alderman. "And I’ve lost 40 pounds since Thanksgiving. I didn’t diet, so it’s these classes that have done everything." A goal for men is the six-pack stomach, so classes can spend 10 minutes straight on abs. Members can burn between 700 and 1,000 calories per class, Pacholik said.

Professional boxer Jason Bress, 29, teaches one-hour classes. "I love to teach people what I do," he said. "It’s a sexy workout. I teach kickboxing and boxing, working on arms and bellies, all the things women worry about. But you don’t have to be a great athlete to do it." Each class gets six to eight rounds on the punching bag. If you’re not in shape, you can step back before another round. "People can concentrate on themselves," Bress said.

Nelson used to run, ski and skate, she said. She was looking at 60 and said she knows things can break down at that age. "I want to get back in shape," she said. "We have a very active lifestyle at home." Nelson said her biggest challenge at LA Boxing was learning combination punches. Bress choreographs the combinations to give his students the greatest amount of exercise. "My favorite are the boxing classes,” said Nelson. "But kickboxing is the hardest. When I leave I feel I’ve done something for myself." Nelson’s skills are improving, and she feels more agile. "I recommend this to anyone and to people who find gyms boring," she said. "This is interactive."


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