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Archive for August, 2012
Letters To LA Boxing Baton Rouge – Robbie Whiddon
Thursday, August 23rd, 2012
Below is a letter written to Gabe Miller and the LA Boxing Baton Rouge Staff and video from Robbie Whiddon, a dedicated member and incredible person.
Gabe,
I just wanted to take a minute to thank you and the staff at LA Boxing Baton Rouge. I started my weight loss journey at 269 lbs, right now I am at 225. 20 more lbs and I will be back at my post Navy bootcamp weight. I never thought I could be in this kind of shape again.
As you know, in November of last year, while driving home from LA Boxing, I suffered a terrible accident that almost cost me my life. I had a torn left side vertebral artery due to a freak auto accident. The tear was sending blood clots into my brain, in turn, causing 3 major strokes and a series of ” shower strokes”.
For the first couple of weeks afterwards I lost use of my hands, and I lost the ability to speak normally. The Neurosurgeon was amazed that that was the only damage that I suffered , and the only explanation for the minimal damage, and my extremely rapid recovery was the fact that I was in very good cardiovascular health and my body didn’t ” freak out” while all of this was happening.
My lack of damage and ability to recover rapidly can be directly related to you and your staff at LA Boxing. Thomas Webb, Hans Marrero, Blake Savoian, and a very special thanks to Josh Mancuso for challenging me to step foot in the door. I am forever grateful. I know that y’all can never understand the collateral effect that your work has on peoples lives but I am living, breathing proof that the work is important and at times can be life saving. Thank You for that.
Your staff is not only knowledgeable, but compassionate as well. Over time I have come to consider these guys my friends, not trainers.
In summary, the shape that LA Boxing had me in when I was injured probably saved my life and, at the very least, kept me from suffering any permanent damage from the accident. As of today I am fully recovered with NO residual effects from my accident. I am a changed and much more appreciative man but no physical damage, and in my opinion (and my Neurosurgeon’s too) I owe it to LA Boxing.
Sincerely,
Robbie Whiddon
The LA Boxing Lowdown
Tuesday, August 21st, 2012
BATON ROUGE—At LA Boxing, we get lots of questions, but local owner Gabe Miller has the answers.
What kind of people go to LA Boxing?
GM: All walks of life. It’s hard to put a finger on the typical member because the ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels are across the board. I think that’s what makes the atmosphere so incredible; different individuals all striving towards a specific goal.
Do I need to be in shape before I join?
GM:That’s actually a funny question…which I get often. And the answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT! That’s why we’re here; to get you in shape and keep you in shape. There’s a misconception that you have to be tough enough to do one of our classes. That couldn’t be the farthest from the truth. All you have to be able to do is be able to walk through the doors.
We understand if you haven’t worked out in a while or even at all for that matter. No problem. Our trainers often tell members to know their limits. If they can only finish 10 minutes of class…well…that’s where we start. Maybe next class the goal is to finish 15 minutes and so on until you can push yourself through the entire hour. The worst thing you can do is wait until you “get in shape”. Waiting often leads to never. Why put off until tomorrow something that can be done today?
Will I be able to make it through an entire class?
GM: I know it’s often a concern of newcomers but it shouldn’t be. As I said earlier, we don’t expect EVERYONE to finish the entire class their first time. It’s about finding your limits and progressively working to improve yourself each and every class.
What should I wear to workout?
GM: There’s no special boxing apparel to wear for the basic classes. Anything you don’t mind sweating in will do. Although, we do recommend typical workout clothing.
Should I eat before I workout? If so, what?
GM: You should give yourself at least an hour in between an actual meal and class. Many members often leave a long day at work to immediately jump into class. A light snack such as protein bar, banana, or sports drink 30 minutes before class will help keep your energy level up.
How much time should I spend away from the gym vs. how much time in?
GM: You really need to listen to your body. Recovery time various from person to person depending on age, gender, health, nutrition, sleep patterns, and genetics. DO NOT follow the “no pain, no gain” motto as it often leads to injury. Typically new members start between 2-3 days a week and work their gym frequency up depending on their particular goals.
How should I care for my boxing equipment (gloves, hand wraps)?
GM: Wash and clean your equipment after every class! You will sweat…a lot. It’s important, for the sake of sanitation and smell, to keep your gloves and wraps fresh. Imagine taking a long jog in the Louisiana summer heat. Now take that shirt and leave it in your car for several days in the sweltering heat. Later in the week put that shirt back on, unwashed, and go workout. Get the picture? Please don’t be “that person”.
What’s the “LA Boxing Workout?”
GM: Just the best workout you’ve every experienced in your entire life…no big deal. Ha! The LA Boxing Workout is a combination of warm-up drills, plyometric exercises and resistance training with an edge of shadow boxing and heavy bag rounds under the instruction of a professional trainer. It’s a one-hour, killer cardio class that teaches real fight technique and keeps you motivated. There’s nothing else like it!
What are the trainers like?
GM: Awesome. They all have unique personalities that draw you in. Some are professional fighters that earn a living in the cage while others see competition in the ring as simply an amateur hobby. Regardless, they are all passionate about the sport, the classes they teach, and the progression of the members. They create more of a team atmosphere unlike anything you may find at a typical gym. But above all, they are motivation specialists.
When should I expect to see results?
GM: Give it time. You won’t suddenly wake up and have the perfect body you’ve always dreamed of. These goals take determination and persistence. It may take as little as a week or as long as a few months. Be consistent with your routine and your diet. Eating the wrong foods can negate the hard work you put in the classes. It’s important to educate yourself on proper nutrition not only to have the energy to feel good in class but to see the results of your efforts. By taking a picture of yourself from week to week, you can see small changes in your body that you wouldn’t notice otherwise (since looking in the mirror everyday doesn’t quit capture the difference). DO NOT judge yourself by the scale. Pay more attention to the way you feel and even the way your clothes fit.
Women’s Olympic Boxing: the results
Tuesday, August 14th, 2012
BATON ROUGE—For the first time, women’s boxing made it’s debut in the Olympic games in London this year.
Lightweight
Gold—Katie Taylor (Ireland)
Taylor defeated Sofya Ochigava of Russia, 10-8.
Bronze—Mavzuna Chorieva (Tajikistan0, Adriana Arujo (Brazil)
Middleweight
Gold—Claressa Shields (USA)
Shields beat Russia’s Nadezda Torlopova, 19-12. Shields, 17, is the first American boxer to win a gold medal since Andre Ward in 2004.
Bronze— Li Jinzi (China), Marina Volnova (Kazakhstan)
Flyweight
Gold—Nicola Adams (Great Britain)
Adams became the first women’s boxing gold medalist in history, beating Ren Cancan (China), 16-7
Bronze—Marlen Esparza (USA), Mary Kom (India)
Further reading:
Boxing: Debutant Women a Stunning Success (Business World)
LA Boxing to throw some punches in Acadian-Perkins Plaza
Tuesday, August 7th, 2012
By Steve Sanoski
Published Aug 7, 2012 at 9:00 am (Updated Aug 7, 2012)
Since opening his first LA Boxing franchise at South Sherwood Forest and Coursey boulevards in late 2009, Gabe Miller has heard from many members who live on “the other side of town” and wish the gym had a location closer to their homes.
“As the crow flies it’s only about five miles from the Southdowns and Garden District neighborhoods, but it feels like the other side of town to people who live there,” Miller says. “We had a lot of members who wanted to continue, but they were just tired of fighting traffic and were finding it hard to make classes.”
Miller hopes he’ll get some of those former members to rejoin when he opens his second LA Boxing franchise in the Acadian-Perkins Plaza next month, next to Juban’s restaurant. The new location will encompass about 7,500 square feet, which is only about 1,500 square feet smaller than Miller’s original Baton Rouge franchise. The amenities and training classes offered at the new location will also be similar to those of the original.
It will be located in a space made available earlier this year by Tuesday Morning, which it swapped locations in the plaza with Parish Hardware and Lumber on Perkins Road; the hardware store downsized its space in the center.
“We started looking for a location in that area about two years ago, but it was really hard to find one that fit everything we were looking for,” Miller says, adding that the ample parking at the shopping center and high visibility, among other things, made it the right fit. Miller plans to have the gym open by Sept. 15, with a grand opening to follow in early October.
Across the country, there are about 75 LA Boxing franchises. Along with the two Miller now has in Baton Rouge, another franchisee has announced plans to open five of the gyms throughout the New Orleans area over the next 18 months. Miller says he has about 750 members currently, and hopes the addition of a second location will boost that figure to around 1,000.
