Title Boxing Club Media
Packing a Punch
Title Boxing Club offers hard-hitting workout, training sessions
By: Holly Kramer, Staff writer Overland Park Sun, Thursday, January 17, 2008.
“Get fit and don't get hit.” That is one of the mottos of Title Boxing Club, a fitness center that opened Jan. 2. Danny Campbell, former professional boxer and general manager, said he wanted to bring boxing to the suburbs.
Boxing-style workouts have been around for centuries and remain popular on the East and West coasts. Title Boxing Club, 7106 W. 119th St., offers boxing and kick-boxing classes and mixed martial arts and personal training. Campbell said one session of the high-intensity Power Hour class can burn 800 to 1,000 calories. “We teach you how to work out,” Campbell said. “We show you techniques that help get you into shape. It's great cardio; it builds your heart up and burns body fat.”
Power Hour, a workout designed in rounds, is a cardiovascular, muscle toning and core strengthening workout. Groups of up to 64 people do punch and kick-punch combinations that are taught in a rectangle of 32 boxing bags. Classes include beginners to advanced boxers. All the classes benefit people in many ways, Campbell said. “
After someone works out here from three days a week, for six months, “Campbell said, “they would know more than the average person walking around the street about how to defend themselves.” Campbell said during the same six-month period, people will see “significant” results, including lower body fat and improved muscle strength. Campbell joined forces with David Hanson and Tony Carbajo from Title Boxing LLC, 14711 W. 112th St., Lenexa, and local entrepreneur Tom Lyons to start the club. Hanson and Carbajo started Title Boxing in 1998. Carbajo and Campbell, who both grew up in Johnson County, have known each other since childhood. Title Boxing provides all the equipment for training and classes.
The club is unique for the area, Hanson said. “It's more of a fitness club, more a white-collar approach to boxing,” Hanson said. “I think it's different and everyone kind of wants something different than an average club. In Johnson County, there's an average club every few blocks.” Hanson said he is amazed by the early success of Title Boxing Club. “We're excited about it overall,” Hanson said. “We think we've filled a void. We see the excitement people have. You just don't see that kind of excitement with other clubs. They feel like they're a part of something.” About 135 people have joined the club. “We've gotten an incredible response,” Campbell said. “I thought it would be good, but I didn't think this good.” People can sign up without an enrollment fee right now, Campbell said. The 3,500-square-foot club includes a boxing ring, punching bags, stretching mats and Title Boxing gear available for purchase.
The majority of patrons so far are women, Campbell said. “We get a lot of young women wanting to lose weight and tone up,” Campbell said. “I think about 85 percent of the people signed up are women.” Campbell said there is nothing like the feeling after a boxing workout. “A lot of people don't know how it feels when your whole body is sweating, and that's what they get with every workout,” Campbell said. “That's an exhilarating feeling. We wake up muscles that you would never, ever use. Every fiber in your body works out.”
The workout is not for everyone, Campbell cautioned. “It's really fast-paced,” Campbell said. “This is not a social club. People usually come in workout clothes ready to go, complete their 60-minute workout and go home. We try to keep it moving.” Campbell said trainers are available to help people interested in professional boxing. “There's private training for people who want to take it to the next level,” Campbell said. The four trainers have professional experience. Trainer Sumya Anani is a four-time world champion boxer. Campbell said his goal is to open five to 10 studios in the Kansas City area in the next five years. “I like working with the people and showing them a way to work out,” Campbell said.“They come in here and they see what we're teaching them and they find a way to get results working out. There's a thrill about them and they are very appreciative to have new skills. When you leave here, you're going to live longer.”