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UFC GYM® KICKS OFF 2013 WITH ACQUISITION OF LA BOXING® FRANCHISING PLATFORM
Monday, January 14th, 2013
UFC GYM® KICKS OFF 2013 WITH ACQUISITION OF LA BOXING® FRANCHISING PLATFORM
Date: 1/14/2013
UFC GYM® Kicks off 2013 With Acquisition of LA Boxing® Franchising Platform
Fitness Brand Announces Plans to Rebrand LA Boxing Facilities to UFC GYMS and Pursue Worldwide Expansion
LAFAYETTE, CA, January 14, 2013 – UFC GYM®, the ultimate fitness destination and first major brand extension of the Ultimate Fighting Championship®, continues its worldwide expansion with the acquisition of LA Boxing®. UFC GYM looks to bring its ‘Train Different’ philosophy, which combines the best of traditional fitness with the innovation of mixed martial arts, to LA Boxing’s already established, elite facilities.
“The UFC GYM experience is second-to-none. Our gyms have incredible energy and through innovative programs members see amazing results,” says UFC President Dana White, “With this acquisition, we continue to grow our footprint as leaders in the global fitness industry.”
Founded in partnership with New Evolution Ventures, LLC™, UFC GYM currently has five full-service facilities which average 35,000 square feet in California and Hawaii. It has also started selling membership for locations in New York Metro and Sydney, Australia which will open by April 2013. UFC GYM will begin to transform the boutique LA Boxing facilities, which average 5,000 square feet, to the UFC GYM format.
“The goal of UFC GYM when we launched it three years ago was to create a unique MMA-styled fitness experience for men, women and children that went far beyond the traditional workout,” says, Mark Mastrov, Chairman of New Evolution Ventures. “We were drawn to LA Boxing based upon the similarities in our brand DNA. We are thrilled to partner with the existing LA Boxing team and their franchisees in expanding our shared vision worldwide.”
With the addition of the current 81 LA Boxing locations, UFC GYM will begin to franchise this new model of boutique clubs while preserving the character and guiding principles of its brand. Franchisees will have the unique opportunity to own and operate the new UFC GYM franchise model across the US and the globe.
“Our new partnership will build upon LA Boxing’s growth over the past 10 years in boxing, kickboxing and MMA. We will grow the franchise in the US and internationally benefiting current LA Boxing franchises, their staff, trainers, and members,” said Anthony Geisler, President of UFC Gym Franchise. “The partnership will enable UFC GYM to continue to provide a superior workout experience at a great value and will add even more benefits for current members and franchisees.”
The first location under the new ownership will open in Chicago’s thriving River North neighborhood with media invited to visit the facility on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 11:30 a.m. This media-only event will feature a workout with main card athletes from UFC® on FOX: JOHNSON vs. DODSON which will take place on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the United Center and will be broadcast on FOX. For more information visit www.ufcgym.com.
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About UFC GYM®: UFC GYM® is the first major brand extension of the Ultimate Fighting Championship®, the world leader in the sport of mixed martial arts. In alliance with New Evolution Ventures™(NeV), developers of many of the world’s most successful fitness brands, the UFC Gym brand gives UFC enthusiasts and fitness seekers of all ages the opportunity to practice the training techniques of famed UFC athletes. Offering a full-range of group fitness classes, private MMA training, personal and group dynamic training, plus MMA style youth programming, UFC GYM creates something for all ages and fitness levels. As the first to combine the world of mixed martial arts and fitness, UFC GYM has developed an atmosphere where members can see immediate results. UFC GYM is the ultimate fitness experience. The brand is not what you expect, and more than you can imagine, aiming to continue revolutionizing the fitness industry. For more information, please visit www.ufcgym.com.
About LA Boxing®: LA Boxing® is the world’s largest boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts fitness franchise with nearly 81 locations open nationwide and another 50 in various stages of development. The LA Boxing Workoutt-aimed at suburban men, women, and children-which burns 800-1,000 calories per hour, is taught by professionally-trained boxers, kickboxers and mixed martial arts fighters. For more information about LA Boxing, visit http://laboxing.com/.
About New Evolution Ventures (NeV): Based in Northern California, New Evolution Ventures (NeV) has a two-decade plus record of success in delivering superior returns on investment, specializing in the acquisition, development and operations management of both domestic and international fitness endeavors. Founded in 2008 by Mark Mastrov, Jim Rowley and Mike Feeney and following a strategic partnership with Vision Capital in 2011, the current team of NeV professionals is setting industry-wide standards one brand at a time. Operations have spanned over 20 countries worldwide and included hundreds of facilities. Our team’s industry experience has positioned NeV as a global leader in its field, expanding and reinventing the vision of fitness. For more information, visit www.nev.com.
About the Ultimate Fighting Championship®: Universally recognized for its action-packed, can’t-miss events that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe, the UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas and with offices in London, Toronto and Beijing, UFC produces more than 30 live events annually and is the largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. In 2012, the UFC burst into the mainstream with a landmark seven-year broadcast agreement with FOX Sports Media Group. The agreement includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network annually, with additional fight cards and thousands of hours of programming broadcast on FOX properties FX and FUEL TV. This also includes the longest-running sports reality show on television, The Ultimate Fighter®, which now airs on FX.
In addition to its reach on FOX, UFC programming is broadcast in over 145 countries and territories, to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide, in 30 different languages. UFC content is also distributed commercially in the United States to bars and restaurants through Joe Hand Promotions, in English throughout Canada via Premium Sports Broadcasting Inc. and Australia via Main Event and in French throughout Quebec via Interbox. The UFC also connects with tens of millions of fans through its website, UFC.com, as well as social media sites Facebook and Twitter. UFC President Dana White is considered one of the most accessible and followed executives in sports, with over two million followers on Twitter. Ancillary UFC businesses include best-selling DVDs, an internationally distributed magazine, UFC.TV offering live event broadcasts and video on demand around the world, the best-selling UFC Undisputed® video game franchise distributed by THQ, and a new franchise in development with EA, UFC GYM®, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo® festivals, branded apparel and trading cards.
The LA Boxing Transformation
Monday, April 30th, 2012
Amy Nix is the Accessories Editor at Gladys Magazine. She has a degree in fashion marketing and has been working in the fashion industry for over a decade. She has worked in film, TV, and other national magazines.
The summer of issue of Gladys Magazine is going to be so “HOT”. I will be sharing my journey to get in shape for summer. I have been so blessed to start on the Isagenix program. It is amazing and my coach Danielle Wasser is the best. She is such a huge help in my weight lose goals.
I have also added a fitness program to my road to get in shape. I have 2 weeks under my belt at LA Boxing. It is very tough but fun. Some days I really have to drag myself to the gym but I feel great when I leave.
I started the program about 6 weeks ago and I am down 12 pounds and 8 inches. This program is very easy and I feel so much better and I have a lot more energy.
Stay tuned for more updates. You will have to purchase Gladys to see my before and after pictures.
Best, Amy
LA Boxing – More Than a Gym
Monday, April 23rd, 2012
At LA Boxing we pride ourselves on offering our members a unique boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts workout experience. LA Boxing has become the world’s largest boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts gym for one simple reason: this is the only place where you can experience The LA Boxing Workout™. The result of our 20-year commitment to group exercise innovation, The LA Boxing Workout™ captures the excitement and challenges of genuine fight training in a safe, professional environment where all are welcome, from children to adults. Because of this, LA Boxing is much more than a gym. It’s a way to build confidence — an opportunity to start a new chapter. We recently asked what LA Boxing means to our members, and this is what one of our members, Chris, had to say.
Imagine a 15-year-old boy who had a lot of dreams. Dreams of making music. Dreams of being a good family man. Dreams of making something out of his life. However, at 15-years old one thing constantly plagued him, was being a 15-year old boy who weighed 250 pounds. He never dated, never went to any school dances and had really low self esteem. The older he got the more he really wanted to build his self-confidence. Later on, he enrolled in college and decided to do something about his weight. He started exercising, changed his diet and changed his overall outlook on life. No matter how small he had gotten, his mentality would stay the same as that 15-year old boy. Of course, that boy was me.
As I grew older, I would constantly battle with my weight going up and down, up and down. I finally decided “Enough is enough!” After I graduated college, I joined a gym and thought that would be the answer to my yo-yo effect of weight loss. Well, it wasn’t. Like many other Americans, I would pay for membership month-to-month and would never go. I remember gaining weight when I was a member at that gym. One day, I rode by the complex up the street and saw they were building a LA Boxing gym. Of course, I was never really the athletic type so I was skeptical about joining this kind of gym. The moment I went in, I knew that this place would change my life.
My first class was a free class in August 2010. I’ve been hooked ever since. The staff, the members, the professional fighters who train there all motivate me to continue my journey to a better me and keep working hard to reach my goals. During the summer of 2011, I had experienced one of the worst break ups of my life and coming to class really helped relieve my stress and boost my confidence. During that particular summer, in June I weighed 205 pounds and by August I was down to 182. I didn’t go on any crazy diets or take hormone shots, I simply came to class, relieved stress and did exactly what my trainer told me to do. Every chance I get I tell people that if they come to LA Boxing in Raleigh they are guaranteed to lose weight, get fit and get lean. That’s exactly what happened to me!
Somewhere in my mind, I will always feel indebted to LA Boxing for allowing me to become more confident in myself and really stay fit. Not only do I love the workouts, I love the trainers. They really take time to make sure you’re executing the moves right and to make sure you’re getting the most from your workout. I’m not one of those gym junkies, but this gym has really defined what a real gym should be. I buy the T-shirts just so I can be a walking billboard! No matter where I am in life, I will always remember what LA Boxing did for me and what this organization can do for someone else!
Get a free class and experience what Chris and thousands of our members feel every time they walk into an LA Boxing.
Interview with Reece Bennett
Thursday, April 12th, 2012
Pictured L to R: Jesse Reid, Reece Bennett, Chet Bennett
Reece Bennett is no stranger when it comes to boxing. A Southern California native, Reece spent his days in the ring at an early age, much like his grandfather and father before him. During his early amateur career, Reece was a member of LA Boxing’s Fight Contingency Program, a program that supports our members through sponsoring amateur and professional fighters.
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Being a third-generation boxer in your family, boxing is clearly in your blood. Your grandfather, Chester Bennett, fought in the 1930s and your father, Chet Bennett, in the 70s. Was there any pressure to become a boxer or did you find yourself naturally picking it up?
There was never any real pressure in my family to start boxing. That is one thing I am truly grateful to my father for. That being said, somewhere deep down I knew I would end up boxing sometime down the line. My father always watched boxing on the weekends and the major PPV fights were always a party with some major names of retired boxers who were always family friends. Looking back I was set up from the start to pursue boxing.
With your first amateur fight at just 11 years old, how supportive were your parents during your early years?
My father has naturally always been supportive throughout my whole career. He is my best friend, biggest fan and ironically my biggest critic. He will be the first one to tell me if he thought I lost, to the point where he has thought I lost some of those I won. My mom, on the other hand, has been supportive but also engraved in me the importance of education. I know, because of her, that school comes before boxing as it is a for sure way to better my future. If boxing works out, that will be amazing. But education is the only constant in anyone’s future.
What was the moment where you realized you wanted to pursue boxing on a more serious level?
When I was younger, I was involved in all sorts of different sports and competitions. Mainly competitive karate. After I had achieved a goal I had since I was 4 years old of getting my black belt, I decided it was time to try a new endeavor. My dad was weary at first, he didn’t know if I had the dedication to succeed in boxing. After countless times asking, he finally gave in and we got connected with hall of fame trainer Jesse Reid.
At 17 you won novice division in the California Golden Gloves tournament. What are other accomplishments you’ve had thus far?
I have won the Desert Showdown, the Nevada state championships, and recently got eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 2012 Olympic reload trials. That made me top 10 in the nation.
Jesse Reid, a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame, has been your trainer since you were 15 years old. How has helped you develop as a fighter?
Man there is so much to say about Jesse. He is so much more than a trainer to me, and much more of a father figure. Our families connected from the beginning and have been close ever since. When I was fighting my addiction to drugs, he came to California and put me up with his son in Nevada with the help of my parents. As a fighter (and a person), the biggest thing Jesse has taught me is that no matter what fight you are in, or how hard it gets you never give up and never stop fighting
How important is it for a fighter to have a strong bond with his trainer in achieving success?
To me that bond is mandatory. I trust Jesse and Trevor Sambrano, my second trainer and also an LA Boxing trainer, with my life and everything they say, I believe. The one problem with today’s boxers is the loyalty with their trainers. I have been raised, and firmly believe that you stick with your trainer through thick and thin. I understand situations arise where you need to change, but for me there is no boxing without Jesse or Trevor.
How would you describe your style?
My boxing style is always evolving and changing depending on my opponent and the strategy I need to employ. I feel the strong constant is that I have always been a boxer-puncher.
How long have you been training at LA Boxing? How has training at LA Boxing improved your skills?
I have been training at la boxing for about a year now. Meeting Trevor Sambrano there has drastically improved my skills and style. Since then, I have exceeded the skill level I thought was impossible in such a short period. The best part of this is I am still improving with no end in sight. It works out for me because Trevor and I live close by each other, so we’re able to train a lot in South Orange County.
What are some goals you have set for yourself for the rest of 2012 and beyond?
After falling short at the Olympic trials I have decided to look forward and not back. I would like to have another 15-20 amateur fights and in late summer I plan to turn pro, god willing.
When you’re not in the ring, where can we find you?
When I’m not in the gym, sadly I am usually driving to the gym haha. I go to LA 3 times a week to spar so that roughly translates to 10-15 hours a week of driving depending on traffic. Other than that I am usually studying or trying to fit time in with friends and my girlfriend, while also doing my work to stay connected with God and the things that keep me happy and sober. I have a lot to juggle in my life, and I am truly grateful for every part.
Thank you for your time and best of luck on your future. Any last words for the readers?
Thank you for everything. I feel truly blessed with Jesse and Trevor in my corner and am also thankful to LA Boxing for making my boxing goals slightly easier.
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Press Release: LA Boxing Hires World Champion Mixed Martial Arts Fighter, “Razor” Rob McCullough
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011
LA Boxing is pleased to announce the addition of world champion mixed martial arts fighter “Razor” Rob McCullough as the new director of instructor training. McCullough will be sourcing, training and certifying professional fighters across the nation to teach the benefits of The LA Boxing Workout™ – the gym’s signature cardio boxing, kickboxing and MMA workouts. He will be based out of the Santa Ana, California corporate office and will work directly with the vast network of LA Boxing franchise owners, general managers and trainers across the country.
Knowing what it takes to be the best, McCullough said, “I’m ready to make a difference at LA Boxing. I’d like to bring a new level of training, techniques and fun to the workouts that LA Boxing developed over the years.”
McCullough is no stranger to LA Boxing or its intense workouts. “Rob’s journey with LA Boxing has come full circle,” said Anthony Geisler, president of LA Boxing Franchise Corporation. “Long before his first fight in the ring and cage, Rob started as a member at our original gym in Costa Mesa back in 1995.” He said.
McCullough was only 17 years old at the time he joined the club. Sean McCully taught his first class and immediately noticed something special about Rob. Quickly, he transitioned into a trainer, teaching LA Boxing’s signature workouts to everyday folks. By age 19, he was ready for his first professional fight. Skill, tenacity, respect and victory soon earned McCullough shots at televised fights, career changing opportunities and world-class opponents. His professional record is impressive with 19 wins and seven losses. He holds titles in International Muay Thai Council (IMTC), World Extreme Cage Fighting (WEC) and in numerous other international fight organizations. More recently, McCullough starred as an assistant coach on season 11 and 14 of the popular reality MMA television show, “The Ultimate Fighter.”
LA Boxing is the world’s largest franchisor of boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts gyms. Gym members of both sexes – from pre-teens to senior citizens – experience unique methods of getting and staying in shape. Integrating mixed martial arts and various related physical activities and exercises, the trademark LA Boxing Workout is a one-hour, heart–thumping, calorie-burning workout that relieves stress, burns up to 1000 calories and builds self-confidence. Members also can benefit from personal training sessions as well as the latest cardio and strength equipment and LA Boxing fashion apparel.
For additional information or interview opportunities with Anthony Geisler or Rob McCullough, please contact Keith Williams at 714-668-0911 or email keith@laboxing.com.
Voices of LA Boxing: Abel
Friday, July 29th, 2011
The 10-Count with LA Boxing’s Steffan Lugo
Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
This 10-count interview is a special feature on an up and coming fighter who trains LA Boxing Costa Mesa in Orange County, CA. He’ll take the ring tonight for his second professional fight after a knockout debut last month.
LA Boxing's Steffan Lugo after knocking out his opponent in his professional debut on March 18, 2011. Courtesy of Fight Club OC.
1. How long have you been fighting?
I did my first LA Boxing “smoker fight” when I was 18…so eight years.
2. Our members have been sharing their Day 1 moments at LABoxingDay1.com. What was the moment that got you to take that step through the doors at LA Boxing?
I played Water Polo in high school and wanted to maintain a discipline that kept me physically active. I was always a combative kid growing up, my friend told me about LA Boxing so I decided to give it a try…from the first class I was hooked.
3. You’re also a college grad from SDSU. What was your training regimen like during school?
I trained at more then a few different gyms in San Diego; I was hard to find one that I really liked. I swam a lot at the school pool; I also ran the beach and the hills around campus. Most of my workouts consisted on sparring with all sorts of different partners, pro and amateur. It was hard to find consistency in my workouts without a real coach to help me out.
4. When did you begin working with Jason Parillo at LA Boxing Orange?
It wasn’t until I returned to Orange County in 2010 that I started to work with Jason Parillo again, after a 3 ½ year layoff without him.
5. You just had your first professional fight on March 18, kicking off your career by knocking out J.J. Ambrose in the 3rd round. What was that like?
It felt real good…I couldn’t have asked for a better turn out as a pro debut. I had a huge group there to support me and I felt like I put on a pretty good show for them. [see video below at 8:42]
6. What was with that double-leg takedown at the end?
Instinct. I think he woke up about half-way to the floor and just reacted…he has 20 pro MMA fights.
7. What do you know about your opponent this week – Robert Lopez?
Not really anything, just his height, his record, and that he is from Stockton.
8. Have you made any big adjustments for the fight this week?
Not really, I’ll make adjustments as I fight. I just work on what goes on inside my head because that is what is the most important.
9. You went into the fight against Ambrose as an unknown fighter. Are you anticipating a more challenging fight now that your opponent will have the chance to study up on you?
I think each fight will be more of a challenge then the previous. With each fight I will learn something new that will contribute to my arsenal. There are no easy fights…in the end we are both there to inflict as much damage as possible on the other. The best will walk away victorious.
10. Any last words for Lopez?
Good Night
If you’re going to be near Orange County tonight, make sure to get your tickets to see Steffan’s fight at Fight Club OC.
The 10-Count with Benji Radach
Wednesday, February 9th, 2011
1. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Castle Rock, WA; a little logging town of 2,000 people. As a kid, I bucked hay bails and started wresting in elementary school. That was my thing from then on, and I went to state competitions every year in high school. That’s when I got into club wrestling at the National level, mixing in greco and freestyle.
2. How did you get your start in MMA?
My first fight was in 1999 at the Roseland Theater in Portland, Oregon. It was right when Randy Couture and Matt Lindland started fighting. There was one 15-minute round with a 5-minute overtime. So you fought 15 minutes straight, and if they still didn’t think there was another winner, we’d go another five minutes. I had a really tough fight. It was one of those things where you were supposed to fight a kickboxer, but they say “oh, by the way, you’re fighting this guy now. He’s a a huge college wrestler from South Africa.†So whereas I’d planned on just taking a kickboxer down and beating him up, now I’m in the ring with this jacked-up, big dude going to war. [It] happens all the time in the amateurs. Anyway, I ended up choking him out in seven minutes. Having a really tough first fight like that and coming out with the win is what got me hooked into the sport. I went on to win 10 or 11 straight after that.
3. Wow. Is that when you started fighting in the UFC?
Two years after the day I started training MMA, I got my first contract for three fights in the UFC. I won the first two and then I got cut over the eye by an elbow from Sean Sherk at UFC 39.
4. You’ve had you fair share of injuries, right?
Yeah, I was out of competition for almost three years. I had a neck surgery; it was a bad herniation in my neck. I couldn’t flex or move my pecs at all. It was scary, and it was one of the worst things that’s happened to me. But I healed, and then I took on Chris Leben in my next fight. I was winning the whole fight. At the end he broke my jaw, and I was bleeding, but I still managed to win despite there being blood everywhere.
After that I went to coach American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, ended up tearing an ACL. They hired me to work with the American Top Team wrestlers. I coached Thiago Alvez, Wilson Gouveia, George Santiago, Jeff Monson, Mike Thomas Brown, JZ Calvacante and Big Foot Silva. My knee was always really loose before that, and it was kinda amazing that I had ever competed. I ended up getting that done and had a bad staph infection after that that put me down for 5 months. After that I went off to fight in the IFL.
5. What made you want to come back after all of that?
The love for the sport. Drive and determination. Fights I’ve lost to gave me motivation to do better. And, of course, I had good friends and family around to keep my head straight. It was really tough times for me, but it made me a much stronger person.
6. Tell us about the time you took down an armed robber.
That was crazy. In 2005 or 2006 a buddy of mine had just won his fight and we were out celebrating. The next day my girlfriend and I went for a late brunch with another couple at Elmer’s Restaurant in Portland. We were eating breakfast and talking about the crazy time we had the night before when all of a sudden this little girl comes up to our table. She was balling and screaming “this guy has a gun, this guy has a gun!” It hit me in a weird way. This girl had come to us instead of her family. To me, it was a sign to do something. I looked and, sure enough, this guy had a gun stuffed in a girl’s face yelling “give me the [expletive] money.” He had a hankerchief on his face and goggles over his eyes. All these things are going through your mind. The best way I can describe it is like The Matrix because your mind is thinking so much faster than time is moving once the adrenaline kicks in. I’m thinking I don’t want to run at him in case he hears me. I gotta stay out of his peripheral vision. I made a decision. I took one quick look. The gun was in his right hand and I was on his right side, about 40 yards away. I had to get to him. As I was getting up my girlfriend was telling me “don’t do it,†but I had already made the decision. I walked up to him out of his peripheral vision. I grabbed his wrist, took the gun out of the girls face, got him on his back and hit him as hard as I could with my right hand. It broke his jaw and knocked him unconscious. My friend and I checked him for weapons, and he was lying there bleeding until the cops came and took him away.
The few things I can compare it to would be the moment right before you wipe out on a bike or riding a bull. Such intense adrenaline the whole time. Everybody thinks about what they would do in that situation, but I can assure you, you never really know.
7. What do you do at LA Boxing?
Here at LA Boxing I source and hire qualified candidates across the nation for all gyms that need instructors. I interview the guys to make sure they’re legitimate fighters. Once we get a group together of 6-10 guys I’ll fly out and train them for three days straight. I’m basically getting them to teach our group classes properly. The wrong fighter can make these classes miserable for the average person so I make sure they understand the LA Boxing Workout and follow the format.
8. And you still maintain a career in the ring. What happened in your last fight?
My last fight, I took a fight on 10 days notice and fought like crap. My nightmare fight. I pushed and trained morning and night every day. By the time I fought I was overtrained and my body gave out. But you learn from your mistakes, and you try again.
9. When is your next fight, and how are you going to prepare for it?
I just finished a three-fight contract with Strikeforce. They renewed my contract for another 3 fights, I’m just waiting to see when the first fight is. I’m hoping to fight on March 5th. Going into March I’m going to stay consistent; in the gym and on the road. Stay in good shape and if the fight happens, I’ll be ready. I won’t be sick this time.
10. Any advice for LA Boxing members before we finish?
If you’re new to LA Boxing, the programs are awesome for anyone. It doesn’t matter who you are. When entering your first LA Boxing Bag Class don’t kill yourself the whole time. Just go through the motions until you understand what the class is all about. Then as you get in better and better shape, start to push yourself harder each day. Don’t worry about punching hard, just get your form down and then just try to be faster and faster with proper form.
The 10-Count: Holly Mosier Talks Stress and Boxing in Lake Forest
Friday, January 21st, 2011
1. So.. who is Holly Mosier?
(With ease) I’m an Author, Healthy Lifestyle Expert, Boxing Gym Owner, Lawyer, Wife and Mother.
Holly Mosier is an owner of LA Boxing Lake Forest and author of the upcoming book, Stress Less, Weigh Less
2. How did you come to own your own LA Boxing gym?
It started when I hit my 40s. I had been a lifetime fitness enthusiast, but all of a sudden nothing I was doing was keeping me from gaining an additional two pounds every year. I was determined to find a more effective means. As a medical malpractice attorney, I was well equipped to research the countless fitness methodologies available. In doing so, all signs pointed to interval training as the king. It consistently provided better results. Furthermore, boxing emerged as the premier form of interval training. My husband and I then put that research to the test at a local gym near our house. We were convinced after a noticeable difference in definition after just six weeks. Sadly, that gym ended its boxing program after three months, and we needed a new place to train. We explored a number of programs and found LA Boxing to be the best by far. We immediately signed ourselves up, along with our 19 year-old son and 22 year-old daughter. Boxing class quickly became a fitness lifestyle for the whole family. We saw such great results and wanted to be able to share our experience with our local community. That’s how we came to purchase our own LA Boxing franchise in Lake Forest. I was 48 at the time.
3. Do you want us to publish that?
(Laughing) Of course. It’s important to me that middle-age women feel comfortable training like I do. I’ll be 50 in March.
4. Is it hard to get women in the gym?
For women especially, boxing gyms can seem scary. I don’t think there is any way to avoid that trepidation. We just aren’t programmed to punch. It isn’t in our DNA as it seems to be for guys. What surprises people about LA Boxing are how amenable it is for a woman of any age. The environment is welcoming, comfortable and inviting. We have a strong membership of women at our club in Lake Forest because we make it clear that we want you here, we’re ready for you and there are plenty of others in the exact same position.
5. What if you don’t know how to box?
Well, man or woman, LA Boxing knows you probably don’t have a clue when you first walk through the door. Our trainers are all professional and amateur fighters who know how to work with inexperience. They are expecting to have to train you on correct punching form and combinations. As a new member, they do a remarkable job of giving you the personal attention you need without making you feel like you’re being singled out.
6. How does boxing fit into your weekly regimen?
I box two to three days every week, cardio on the other days and practice yoga twice a week. I always wear my heart rate monitor during workouts so I know that I burn an average of 320 calories during a boxing workout. I burn only 130 calories during a pretty intense exercise class at a traditional gym. That’s a big difference. The boxing provides an unparalleled workout but it is important to engage in a variety of activities, especially in your 30s, 40s, and beyond to prevent repetitive stress injuries.
7. That’s less than 200 calories a day.
Between my boxing workouts, yoga and days I just do cardio; I burn about 300 calories during exercise each day. That may sound like a small number, but you have to take into account my small size. Plus, if you eat 100 calories a day more than you burn, you’ll gain 10 pounds over the course of a year. So the increase in the number of calories I burn in the LA Boxing classes has made a big impact. It keeps my weight down and fitness level high.
8. In my face. Well let’s get into your new book before we run out of questions. What is Stress Less, Weigh Less all about?
Stress Less, Weigh Less is about the forgotten, and possibly the most important factor in healthy living – how stress impacts the body and what can we do to ameliorate it. We generally speak of fitness as a function of exercise and nutrition, but for either to be truly effective, we need to control stress. Excess stress hormones trigger a physiological need for high-sugar, high-fat and high-sodium foods. Submitting to these cravings offers a quick dump of “feel good” hormones that spike blood sugar. This pattern repeats itself until it perpetually reoccurs. My book walks you through 12 tools for reducing stress and reaching your goals.
9. What kind of tools?
It all starts with this foundational step: Opt out as a lifestyle. You can’t do everything so make conscious decisions to focus on the things that bring you to your goals. Ask yourself: What is most meaningful to me? Then, pick and choose accordingly. Build time buffers into your day. Your life becomes so much more joyful when you eliminate over-scheduling and you have more energy. Now it’s easy to show up for a boxing class. Address the stress first. We have crazy, busy lives, and that’s okay, but we need a calm foundation to function effectively.
10. Will you share your personal favorite?
Focused breathing. It is the most effective tool I’ve found.
Here’s how it works: Breathe in through the nose to a count of four. Draw the breath all the way down to the belly. Exhale through the nose to a count of four. Just observe the breath. Within six or seven breaths you’ll begin to calm. Remember, the quality of your thoughts match the quality of your breaths. I’m sure you’ve heard someone say “it took my breath away” and it is absolutely true.
Start by implementing three sets of six focused breaths in your daily life. Build them into your normal habits like brushing your teeth or waiting at a stoplight. Let the phone ring until you’ve completed at least one four-count breath and then answer it. I’ve even done a couple during this interview.
Well that’s it for this week’s 10-Count. Make sure to check out Holly Mosier’s upcoming release of Stress Less, Weigh Less, out in bookstores June 1st, 2011.
The new HollyMosier.com will be launching mid-February with more tips from the book. In the meantime, hit up Holly in the comments section below, she’ll be checking in regularly to answer your questions.
THE 10-COUNT WITH LA BOXING HOBOKEN OWNER AND TRIATHLETE MARCO DE OLIVEIRA
Wednesday, January 12th, 2011
Welcome to another installment of the 10-Count. Today we’re sitting down with Marco De Oliveira of LA Boxing Hoboken. Marco is an endurance athlete who recently completed his first Ironman. He shared with us what it took it took to prepare for the mental and physical demands of such a taxing competition.
Why did you decide to undertake such a test of fitness?
To test my body in different ways. Push my limits, see what I can do.
Can you explain the mindset it takes to attempt a full ironman as opposed to the half-ironman?
Its double the training. It’s really a matter of dedication and putting in the time to get your body ready for a 15 hour race. You take it one day at time. You’re pushin’ through one day at a time getting better day by day.
Of the three legs of the race, which is your favorite and which one are you best at? Least favorite?
Cycling is definitely my favorite, and swimming is certainly my least favorite. I grew up running and cycling so swimming is a bit new to me; therefore, I just don’t like it as much.
There’s no boxing leg of a triathlon…why train in boxing?
I like to cross-train. I like to throw a couple boxing workouts in to shock the body a little bit from what its been doing a while. I’ve always liked [boxing]. I never competed in it, but I liked the whole concept and training methods I knew were tough. I was always attracted to it. I like the dedication you need to put toward that sport; like any other.
What’s your best advice to someone interested in undertaking a fitness challenge, large or small?
It’s a matter of not quitting. Some days you are going to really hate, especially when it’s cold and you are getting up before the sun rises. You have to just push through. I’m fortunate to work at a place where I can train all day. I know people that have to train before and after a 9-5 day job and I can’t imagine having to figure out how to schedule that in the day because it’s so time consuming to train. It can be frustrating but you can’t quit, just push forward.
How do you mentally prepare for such a daunting and physically taxing event?
It’s more adrenaline than anything. You want to get on that road or jump into that water. I don’t really worry too much. I’m more anxious than anything.
What goes through your head at the starting line?
“This is gonna suck!†[laugh] You know you’re body’s going to suffer for hours on end, so its just a matter of pulling that trigger and getting going. I mean, you know what’s coming so lets do it.
Is that what you think about the whole time?
No. [Laughs] My last half ironman all I could think about were the sandwiches during the whole run. All I was thinking about was the sandwiches waiting for me at the end cause I was so hungry.
Do you ever let your mind go to feeling how tired you are?
Well you feel it, but that’s part of it. Its pushing through that pain. My knees were bothering me big time through the run but you just push through it. One stroke at a time, one foot in front of the other – just keep pushing. You pace yourself so you finish.
What is your training schedule like when you’re prepping for a race? In between races?
I start my new 20-week training in the middle of [this month]. I’ve been doing some light runs, light cycling and getting in the ring a bit before I start my hardcore training. When training comes, I have a pretty detailed training regimen. Some days its pretty tough brick workouts, which can be a long swim and a long run or a long run and a long bike in one day. Weekends are miserable; those are the days that you put in the most amount of work. But, when you cross that finish line all that pain and adrenaline through your body is worth it in the end. Usually its 6 days on, 1 day off. Mondays are off.
Do you compete for time or just for the satisfaction?
Just for the satisfaction of getting it done and knowing I can do it.
How do you deal with burnout during training?
The training program I get online is pretty good. It has coaches that help you through it. You just have to feed your body what it needs. I had a nutritionist put something together for me at the time. I gave him my training schedule so he knew what I was doing every day and he put together a nutrition plan for me, so [my body] gets what it needs to perform.
