The Paseo Club is excited to be your Santa Clarita destination for all of your fitness needs. We offer over 60 fitness classes each week, small group training programs, and personal training sessions with our knowledgeable instructors.
One class that has gotten a lot of attention recently is Beginning Boxing. This class is a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program that will help you to become more agile, balanced, strong, and fit.
Our new coach, Martel Hammond, is pioneering the Beginning Boxing program at the Paseo Club, and we are so thrilled to feature him in this article. Learn how he learned to box, what the benefits of boxing are, what Beginning Boxing class looks like, and how you can join his class.
Were you active as a youth?
Yes.
From the age of 6 through college, I was always active. I primarily played football. However, I also ran track and played basketball in high school. I started to learn how to box after college.
How do you get into boxing?
I began to learn to box with a childhood friend. I was coming off of an injury, and he was coming home from playing Minor League Baseball. We decided to attend a boxing training camp together the following week.
I soon immersed myself in the world of training camps, sparring, and daily workouts, building skills until they became second nature. It was during this time that I developed an even stronger sense of consistency, an understanding of the value of developing skills over time, and that mastering technique and form took precedence over power.
How did you begin to teach boxing, and what do you enjoy about it?
Although I pursued boxing with great dedication, there was a point when I decided I was not going to be able to pursue it professionally.
I began to teach at my boxing coach’s gym soon after. I realized that my experience in training camp was unique, and I could help a lot of athletes and non-athletes.
I really enjoy being a part of people’s fitness journeys. I am very passionate about boxing and health in general. I love motivating people and helping them to achieve their goals so they can be more fit and confident.
What did you learn about the importance of good nutrition?
I learned you can't consume whatever you want if you want to be the best at what you do. It wasn't until I got on a strict diet that I began to see the best results for my athleticism, and having good nutrition separated me from a lot of my competition.
People’s nutritional needs vary according to their goals, whether it is to build lean muscle, lose weight, or something altogether different. But by making healthy choices in combination with consistent physical activity, you can meet your goals.
Why is boxing so important as a fitness program?
Although learning several different punching techniques is beneficial, there are many more advantages to the sport than having a good right hook. Boxing is important because it improves your overall mental and physical health.
- Reduces stress
- Improves balance
- Aids in weight loss
- Improves heart health
- Boosts whole-body strength
Research shows that even people who are obese can benefit from boxing classes. Attending boxing classes four times per week lowered participants’ obesity levels, improved their heart health, and increased their overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
What is the structure of the Beginning Boxing class?
The framework of the Beginning Boxing class is the same although the movements and intervals vary.
The class begins with warming up and shadowboxing. Members then visit 4-5 stations and perform 2-3 exercises at each station.
Dumbbells, plates, sandbags, kettlebells. bodyweight, TRX, ski ergs, resistance bands, rowers, battle ropes, and sleds are all used to keep class fun and challenging. There is also mitt work and then a cool down. The class lasts for one hour in total.
When do you teach Beginning Boxing class?
Beginning Boxing class is part of the Paseo Club’s small group training program. These programs have small class sizes, so you get ample personalized attention. Each class builds on the one prior, so your strength, skill, and endurance grow progressively.
Beginning Boxing classes are held every Monday and Wednesday at 5 am and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 am.
Why is a one-on-one class ideal for getting fit and learning boxing?
A one-on-one lesson is ideal for learning boxing because it's a lot more intimate. I can give my complete attention to my client. The client and I can focus on technique, and I can provide custom guidance according to each person’s unique needs and goals.
Contact Coach Martel to learn more about personal training with him.
Getting fit with Coach Martel
Exercising day in and day out by yourself can be pure drudgery. With no one to be accountable but yourself, it is easy to fall “off the wagon” and not work out as often or as hard as you know you should.
You can take the pain out of this pattern and join Coach Martel for his invigorating Beginning Boxing class. You will learn boxing techniques, exercises to boost fitness, and how to move safely so you can minimize injury.
Coach Martel’s commitment to excellence and full-body wellness will help you reach your goals and go beyond. His results-driven approach will inspire and motivate you to do your best.
After boxing class, you can put up your feet and relax for a while. Grab a bite to eat or something refreshing to drink at the cafe. Take a sauna in our executive locker rooms. Or treat yourself to a massage at the onsite spa.
The Paseo Club is your home away from home. If you are not yet a member, now is the time. Join us for tennis, pickleball, Pilates, fitness classes, or swimming. The options are practically endless! Become a member of the Paseo Club today!
