LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The All-Air Force Boxing training room moved under the Chaparral Fitness Center roof last spring, and, beginning Thursday, participants will include Airmen seeking exercise of a more physical nature.
The $68,000 conversion of two racquetball courts at the fitness center provided a new home for the all-service boxing training camp and tryouts held every March. The Air Force boxers had previously worked out in a gym located at the Bennett Fitness Center since 1973.
The new training room - which includes a full size sparring ring, speed and heavy bags and room for jump roping and plyometric exercises - was moved to its new location to accommodate new fitness equipment at the Bennett and an influx of an anticipated 3,000 employees at Port San Antonio.
Use of the ring is permitted only when supervised by a certified instructor.
Chaparral manager Richard Brown said the training room is open to all base personnel during fitness center hours - Monday through Friday from 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. - and offers diversified fitness services to Airmen.
The Boxing and Muay Thai program, which began Sept. 7, is one of the newest classes offered in the room.
Class instructor Roy Eby, a certified instructor of 26 martial arts including Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do, said the muay thai class is for people who want to build self-defense skills, get an intense workout and even work toward making the Air Force boxing team.
"People don't have to worry about sparring," Eby said, who also teaches Judo at the Chaparral. "I'm teaching the basics. The person can build a good defense while also working on stamina."
In particular, class members perform resistance training with training mitts and heavy bags. The Boxing and Muay Thai class is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
Another beginner class is being drawn up, tentatively scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m.
The program, which costs $50 per month, teaches participants basic boxing techniques, including conditioning, mechanics, footwork and movement, punching combinations, defense and controlled sparring sessions.
All classes will be suspended during the Air Force Boxing season, which runs March to June.
For more information on classes at the boxing gym or questions concerning its operation, call the Chaparral at 671-2401.