Enjoy the Best of Park City - Rise Boxing

HOW WILL YOU RISE

Park City is known for being home to many elite athletes, Maryquenn Vellinga being among them. Maryguenn knows boxing, she will willingly talk about her love for boxing anyplace, anytime. But rarely talks about her ranking within the USA Boxing Elite. Maryguenn is a fierce competitor and an equally fierce coach and fitness instructor. She has taught fitness and boxing here in Park City for several years and now after a lot of blood, sweat, and market research, she and her husband Luke are opening their own fitness boxing studio here in Park City. This week I had the honor of sitting ringside and talking with Maryguenn about her love of family, boxing, and Park City.

Where did your love of boxing come from?
Seven years ago at the age of twenty-eight, I became interested in the sport after watching the Golden Gloves National Tournament of Champions in Salt Lake City. I loved it, it was an instant fit for me. I started training, competing and eventually coaching. It's an incredible sport and one that can be very intimidating. Especially for women, I want to give the empowerment that comes from boxing to anyone who is willing to come and work for it.

Where did the concept for Rise come from?
We really did our research for Rise. I have lived and worked in Park City for some time, and I wanted to open a place that was inviting, a place everyone felt comfortable hanging out in, a place that was NOT intimidating, a place people of all fitness levels could come and feel comfortable while working out and training. We don't have mirrors, we want everyone to focus on themselves and the instructor, and not on what is going on with everyone else. Our classes are made for all fitness levels, all ages, we encourage people to bring their kids in on Saturdays. This is a great sport for kids. We also wanted a reasonable price point for classes, this is really something everyone can do. We want to build our clients up, give them encouragement. This is so much more than boxing, it's tapping into something that is inside of all of us.

So you do offer classes for kids?
Yes, we have both family classes and classes just for youth, which teaches the fundamentals of boxing, footwork, general athletic development, discipline, and confidence. Again this is such a great sport for kids, I've seen so many kids really benefit physically and emotionally from boxing.

What are the other classes you will offer?
We will be offering fitness boxing classes which are a high intensity, fast-paced class. We focus on the 6 primary punches to create endless combinations along with bodyweight exercises to develop power, balance, and speed in a whole body, calorie-torching workout. And also boxing classes and they are the real deal. We will cover all aspects of boxing from offense to defense, footwork, and mindset. Sparring is a part of class but never required.

Rise Boxing will be officially opening on May 21 at 2720 Rasmussen Rd. Ste A4 (Jeremy Ranch). The first lesson is free!! Go check them out here.