It feels good to punch things.
That’s a truth Lisa Kuronya Coombs understands. And she’s got the kind of credentials that make her a bit of an expert on the topic. She’s a 5-time National Champion, World Champion, and former Captain of the USA Boxing Team. So yes, she knows a whole lot about punching.
Of course, it’s also true that we’re largely discouraged from taking willy-nilly swings at things in our everyday lives. Punching at the office is frowned upon. Punching in the grocery store will probably get you arrested.
But in the right socially appropriate environment? Like, say, a cool garage space with hard mat floors, a speed bag, heavy bag, a dozen or so jump ropes, and some music crankin’ on the overhead speakers? Now that’s a place where you’re welcome to punch the daylights out of everything. Lisa will even teach you a thing or two, so you’ll learn how to land those punches with satisfying force.
Video: The Boxing Studio in Topsham
Last fall, Lisa opened The Boxing Studio, a small studio space inside a garage (a newly built and clean-as-a-whistle garage at that) off Augusta Road in Topsham (just a few doors down from the old Roller World complex). There she teaches intro to boxing, intermediate boxing and conditioning, a weekly drop-in boxing class, and a boxing class for girls ages 12-16, as well as personal training and private sessions.
Class sizes are purposely small, so everyone gets some personal attention, and the fitness programs are centered on the fundamentals of boxing (meaning: this is not cardio boxing. You WILL learn how to throw punches).
The introduction to boxing class is geared toward the beginner – the never-punched-a-thing person or the “okay, maybe I’ve punched things before but I damn near broke my hand when I did and I really have no idea what I’m doing” person. You’ll learn the basics on form and technique and spend time honing your skills with the speed bag, slip rope, and mitt work with Lisa – among other things. And then there’s the conditioning. Box jumps and burpees and jumping rope. Your lungs are going to love it. And you’ll be throwing some impressive punches before you know it.
Once you’ve acquired some experience (or if you already have some) there’s the intermediate class, where you’ll fine-tune technique, work on more complex drills, and improve your fitness with high-intensity strength and conditioning training.
If you’re not ready to commit to a program, check out the drop-in class on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:15 p.m., which is also geared toward beginners. It’s a cool way to see what The Boxing Studio is all about and have 45 minutes to pound your fist into a heavy bag – and feel really good about it.
Whatever class you take, you will leave sweaty and exhausted. And probably feeling like a badass. Rightfully so.
Programs run in sessions (a new session starts Sept. 17). Sign up for the beginner/intermediate classes (space is limited): 9-10:15 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday or 4-5:15 p.m. Wednesday and Friday.
You can drop in to the Wednesday evening class, which runs 5:30-6:30 p.m. any time (cost is $15 a class or a 10-class pass for $120).
Boxing class at The Boxing Studio
211 Augusta Road, Topsham
Introduction to boxing and intermediate boxing classes
FMI: www.facebook.com/theboxingstudio/ or email Lisa at theboxingstudio@gmail.com
This post was originally published May 15, 2019
