Engaging Title - Sweaturday at Title Boxing

I struggled with coming up with a title for my review of a class at Title Boxing. Luckily the blog manager had a suggestion.

The Wheelers were founded on boxing, and it remains our first love. The HIIT workout we get from classes like these is always intense and rewarding. The bond formed between people who have experienced the same trauma and survived is strong. So when I learned there was a Title Boxing gym relatively close, I knew I had to go.

Full disclosure: since I knew I'd be going it alone, I dragged my feet a while. When I mentioned it to the gang they explained that it is not optional. Our mission is to seek out and evaluate gyms, classes, and programs. If we find one, it must be done. So I signed up.

The first step is to find a club. They tend to be clustered together in markets, including five in the DC area. Once that's done simply fill out the request for a class on the local gym's page. I received a text from the local gym telling me what times were available for the day I selected, and once I selected a class I received a text from the corporate number letting me know I was all set.

The class is $25 and that includes wraps and gloves. The wraps are yours to keep because no one wants old stank wraps, especially mine. I chose patriot wraps only because I don't have any. This is the same Title that sells equipment, so the brand is good. These don't stretch like the Mexican wraps I've used, but they're long and seem durable,

Alison at the front desk was helpful and friendly. She walked me through the waivers and told me about the class.

It's similar to other boxing gym classes in that you pick a bag and spend the class beating on it.

The class is broken up into three parts:

The first 15 minutes is the warm up. Like most warm ups it's as hard as the class. A lot of movement to get blood flowing at the proper rate to the proper muscles.

The next 30 minutes are broken in to eight three minute rounds. The rounds are combinations mixed in with various exercises. There are a lot of legs and a fair amount of core work. The combinations were surprisingly easy to remember. They're not uncomplicated, but they made sense.

We had two Megs this time. One (Julian) was on a mic explaining the work and another (Alex) came around with focus mitts. The mitts always kill me but after the class he complimented me on my strength and stamina. He also said I need to work on my form a bit since my new, larger body doesn't seem to use the back foot for power like it used to. I'm probably not as twisty.

The final 15 minutes are focused on core exclusively. The exercises are creative and most involve a medicine ball. I worry about working with a ball like that when everything I own is slick with sweat, but the drills were safe and sensible and I know I'll feel it.

After that you're done. The class is on it's own to stretch, and moist towelettes were deposited by the bags near the end of the core work to wipe down bags, etc.

I'll admit it was tough. Back in the day I remember any new class or new instructor was tough because everything was different. Of course that's the goal of the Wheel of Fitness, to surprise your body with new challenges.

I was glad to see a few younger and fitter folks struggle at times as well. I wasn't the least bit embarrassed about holding a beat or two during certain exercises or taking my time getting up. I found squatting while Meg #1 was explaining the next combination helped. Alison did come by at one point to make sure I was going to survive.

And I did survive. It seems my brain remembers the intensity I had a few years ago, when my body was more capable. As I mentioned, Meg #2 complimented my stamina and intensity. That was encouraging since I was feeling my age and weight.

The trainers and other members are friendly and comfortable to be around. We had to pair off on bags a couple of times and one of the more fit, younger guys came right over to me. I thought that was nice of him.

The group has all fitness levels and ages. I saw men older than me but in good shape and women who may not have been in the best shape of their lives, but they all worked hard. I also saw younger men and women who could have been on covers of fitness magazines. Everyone worked hard and managed their own pace. No one showed off. Although I suspect I was the most sweaty by far.

As I said, the initial class is $25 and includes wraps. Beyond that, membership is required and the scale seems based on the number of classes you attend per month. I asked about buying a group of classes on a punch card but they don't do those. The gym is near residential areas and schools, so I suspect they do better with full membership than a gym closer to an airport, for instance. The drop in rate is $35, so a bit more than most spin classes.

To me, the initial class is worth $25 and you can never have too many wraps. The group format does make me work harder, so you may get more out of it as well. If you're looking for a gym that has good classes, offers personal training, and can help you improve your skills check out Title Boxing.