FITNESS CHAT at 11 a.m.: Ask the experts all about BOXING for fitness. Is it for you?

Readers: Welcome to our Friday fitness chat. Today we’re talking with two experts about BOXING. Is it for you? Find out in the next hour.

Kelli Paul of Bootcamp Fitness in Newport News will be answering some of your questions. She’ll be joined by Coach Lloyd Jones of Newport News Boxing Club.

Kelli and Lloyd — Please let our readers know when you’re ready to answer their questions.

Boxing has become super popular just as a fitness routine. I’m hoping to learn just how to get started and what it can do for the “regular” person as well as the competitor.

Hello Prue, Lloyd and chat guests!

Hi Kelli — That’s “Bootcamp Fitness” — Can you tell us what some of the classes are that you teach.

I teaching Kickboxing, Bootcamps and Private Boxing sessions within the Hampton Roads area.

Not at all! It’s a fantastic form of fitness for women trying to gain upper body strength while burning fat.

Can you tell us what some of the exercises are that you do when you start? Or do you just start throwing punches? I’m curious about what parts of your body get a workout?

Starting with warm-ups such as running in place, jumping jacks and mountain climbers and then progressing to the bag with jabs slow and controlled to ensure form is safe and correct.

We do a host of excercises Hitting the heavybag is just one of many

So, say I go for my first workout — I’m a woman in my 30s(just pretend) – what could I expect to do?

We wpuld start you with your proper boxing stance and teach you the right way to punch

Readers: We’re talking to two experts in FITNESS and BOXING. Boxing has become really popular for all ages and men and women. Learn how to use it in your workouts. Ask your questions until 1 p.m.

If no boxing experience, form is imperative

Everone trains as if they are going to be competitive

Everone trains as if they are going to be competitive

What are typical mistakes that people make when they start boxing?

Many punch incorrectly which can injure wrists and joints.

It goes the same with Kickboxing…improper kicks can injure the knees

Not focusing on the proper form and being impatiant

No, you don’t have to lift weights to begin this form of fitness

No there are a host of movements you can do that don’t involve weights

Readers: We are talking to 2 fitness/boxing experts. If you can’t stay for the whole chat, be sure to go to www.dailypress.com/health and click on Archived Live Web Chats for the full transcript.

I started within a Karate dojo and many kids start through martial arts

At 8 they can be properly registered with USA Boxing

Only if in a sparring environment with protective headgear

That’s a good question from Russ with all the concerns about concussion and head injury in many, many sports.

No not at all,unless you decide you want to. lol

Awesome Lloyd 🙂

lol ty

How long should a sparring session last?

We use all safety measures at our gym.

About 2-3 min. rounds

That’s it? Just 2 to 3 minutes?

Depends on the personal goals well

With a fair amount of trainging

agree

Sparring then bag work then floor work and doing this within intervals

Coach Jones — I saw people at your gym using jump ropes. Tell me about that.

Thats the first thing we do for about 10-15 min. It’s a great way to warm up as well as great cardio

Kickboxing approximately 500-900 calories, Bootcamps 600-800 calories and Boxing sessions 700-800 calories

Kelli — How long are your sessions?

All sessions are 1 hour

Do you have beginner, then more advanced or is everyone in together?

But, I also provide extra time for stretching since I want the full hour for burn

For Kickboxing and Bootcamps, we all work together as a team and I focus on the individuals and what I know to be their personal goals, injuries, etc. That way, I can provide modifications for different levels.

Can you explain the difference between regular boxing and kickboxing. Is one more suitable for certain people/ages than the other?

We are a boxing gym our feet stay on the ground!

Kickicboxing is great fun and when done right self defense as well

Coach Jones — is it difficult for some people to actually punch someone else? How do you teach that without going too far?

The Kickboxing is incorporating the general idea of full body contact, yet 100% cardio for the entire hour and punching and kicking in the air or on mitts

It really is not that hard because we all are here for thr same reaso. not everyone is going to hit or be hit

For a home gym, you would need a heavy bag, hanging or standing. You also need the proper gloves and handwraps.

A heavy bag, Speed bag,gloves and handwraps and and get trained propely.

Where can you get that equipment? How heavy should the bag be?

Start with a light bag about 70pds

Readers: we’re talking to two experts in fitness and boxing. You can ask your questions until 1 p.m.

Any sporting good store or go on line there are good deals out there

I personally use a standing heavy bag with a water base…it allows my clients to kick and punch it and push it across the floor as well

Kelli and Coach Jones — Could you let readers know where your gyms are and how they can contact you if they have questions.

–Newport News Boxing Club is located at 9513 or Warwick Blvd. -369-5814 or 206-8709

I use a warehouse in Hampton, city parks and beaches and gymnasiums in Hampton and Newport News. I can be reached at 814-6068 and www.kpbootcamp.com

Coach Jones — Do you have any women working out in your gym? Is it all individual or do you have group classes?

Thank you for the positive feedback “Guest DP”

Kelli — what combination of routines do you recommend for those getting fit? How often/long should you work out? Like, should you box every day or do different things?

I believe that variety is key. Muscle confusion is good for the body. Length of time for workouts depends on the physical history, but can be modified and progressed to one hour at least 3 times per week.

Using weight resistance for your left side will help achieve the strength you need to compensate for the higher strength on your right side. (answering guest question)

Can you explain what weight resistance is?

Yes, incorporating controlled weight-lifting with dumbbells, weight plates and kettlebells

What sort of weight should you start with?

It depends on the individual, but a beginner would be 3 to 5 pound weights progressing to 8 and then 10

That all depends on you George, on avg. about 3mo.

It will take 6 wks just to get in boxing shape

How are ‘fights’ organized — by weight? by age? experience?

All of the above

What’s the most important skill for a boxer –is it footwork?

We like to call the Bouts fights sounds so brutal.

them

I knew I was using the wrong word!!

lol

I love Bouts…awesome

It’s $60 per mo. $20 reg fee train whenever you want no contract yor welcomme to use all eqiuptment free of charge

Readers: We have just a few minutes left to ask questions of our two boxing/fitness experts. If you can’t stay for the whole chat, be sure to check out the full transcript afterwards at www.dailypress.com/health and click on the tab, Archived Live Web Chats.

Classes are charged per session or four classes in bulk. I personally believe fitness should be affordable, therefore you are more apt to stick with it and see the rewards…$15 for one class, or $48 for four. Private Sessions are $40.

were open almost all day and you train when you want to we have 4 coaches available as well

When you say “all day” — what are the approximate hours?

Can you answer Donnie’s question about beginner form?

We are a real boxing gym we do competitive training programs 4 all and no you dont have to get hit.

Beginning boxers have to learn proper mechanics FIRST…safety is key

Also, what changes can you expect to see in your body if you follow a regular boxing regimen

I’m there from 9-12 and 3-8 by appt also

first with any fitness routine you will feel great!!!

Barb is asking Coach Jones about the address and if first session is free?

Boxing is a great form of cardiovascular fitness and muscle toning

Your body will become more toned and defifined

Is there anyone that you wouldn’t recommend boxing for? Age restriction?

9513 Warwick Blvd and yes you can come in for 1 sessions free

-or can call me at –

Should people make an appointment or can they just walk in?

I personally do not believe in using supplements…using natural whole foods and vitamins within your fitness life is crucial

I personally don’t but they work for some just a healthy diet and a multi vitamin will do the trick

I’ve been in gyms where I’ve seen people punching a pad held by someone else as they walk — what is the purpose of this?

Kelli I may take a Boot camp class or 2 love to cross train.

This gives them a focal point and a form of resistance to aim for.

I use this technique quite often.

We call them working the pads

How is it different from having a stationary pad or bag?

Lloyd…I would love to get together!

They have to use hand/eye coordination and it also keeps the heart rate elevated.

Are there any exercise DVDs that you recommend?

the pads is what really gets by boxers sharp as far as timing we use them alot close to a bout

I also Coach with Beachbody and personally promote their products as further training for those that cannot attend my classes.

What is Beachbody?

NO! Theres is nothing like being there live a dvd cant motivate you

These are P90X, Insanity, TurboFire…etc.

BUT, I do agree 100% with Lloyd, which is why I am their personal Coach with their Beachbody DVD’s

And u can sit on the couch and it a burgere and watch them, go to agym bootcamp or something of the kind

Experts: We’re near the end of our chat. Please give your contact information again — how people can reach you and get started on a fitness regimen.

NEWPORT NEWS BOXING CLUB

Kelli Paul with Bootcamp Fitness 814-6068

www.kpbootcamp.com

Facebook member under Kelli Paul and Bootcamp Fitness, LLC

9513 Warwick Blvd 206-8709 369-5814

Thank you all for your questions…thank you Prue for the opportunity and thank you Lloyd for the partnership today!

Thank you as well

Kelli and Coach Lloyd — Thanks very much for your expertise and information today. Please tell our readers one more time why boxing is great. Then I’ll close out the chat!

Boxing is my FAVORITE form of fitness and you will become fit, happy and sexy!!

and learn how not to get hit!!!!!!

Thanks very much. Again, for the full transcript, go to www.dailypress.com/health and click on Archived Live Web Chats. Stay fit and safe. Bye.