When it comes to the health and fitness landscape, the era of the ‘fitfluencer’ is omnipresent on social media: The neverending feed of gym rats, bodybuilders and the hyperfixation of a perfect Instagrammable physique. What about a more unconventional approach? Something that is a change of pace from the crowded weight room and rows upon rows of treadmills. Admittedly, the very platforms that have force-fed the aforementioned category of online personalities are the same ones sparking a resurgence of boxing for a new generation.
The cross promotion of MMA fighters, YouTube stars like the Paul brothers and celebrities stepping into the ring is at an all-time high in the past decade. However, the sport is not reserved for high-profile individuals taking on professionals (or retired legends). Boxing and the work around it is an opportunity to “learn a new skill, plus get in shape,” said Dominic ‘Coach Dom’ Arioli, owner of Roc Boxing.
Originally a part-time trainer at Montgomery Boxing Club on Lyell Avenue, Arioli purchased what is now Roc Boxing at 524 Atlantic Ave. in 2004 while still working at Kodak. “(The gym) was (originally) put together to train amateur and pro boxers,” said Arioli, who left Kodak to focus on the gym full-time in 2006. “I changed the dynamics to training individuals.”
A popular offering at Roc Boxing is the basic boxing conditioning class, which runs for a total of 45 minutes. “Boxing is not just throwing punches,” Arioli said. “There is a lot of conditioning.” The classes are open to all skill levels and are rooted in “a lot of old school exercises,” Arioli said, “because that’s what everybody’s going back to and I never left it.”
Though training professional boxers is no longer a focus at Roc Boxing, the gym still offers an amateur (and youth) boxing program, which goes further into conditioning, technique and, of course, sparring. Both programs are open to both male- and female-identifying athletes and aim to meet participants where they are.
“Even if you’re a seasoned amateur,” he said, “you’re going to review those basics all the time.”
A unique offering at Roc Boxing is their kettlebell classes, run by Dana Curcio, a world champion and gold medalist kettlebell sport athlete.
“I found kettlebell sport and started training with Coach Dom,” said Curcio. “He was one of the first Instructors to bring it to New York 15 years ago.” The gym continues to offer classes to members and individuals training to compete.
With basic conditioning, the amateur boxing program and kettlebell classes, Roc Boxing brings a fresh approach to a traditional means of fitness.
“The benefits are life-changing,” said Curcio. “Your posture is better, your stamina is better, you’re walking better, feeling better and eventually, your clothes start to fit better.”
While boxing and kettlebell sport offer alternative paths to a healthier lifestyle, there are no shortcuts to seeing results, Curcio emphasizes the work still required to reap the benefits.
“We say nothing gets easier, you just get better,” she said. “Nothing is overnight, but the strength comes from inside first, and then the outside.”
Echoed throughout Roc Boxing’s classes and building is their commitment to welcoming everyone.
“All age levels, all skill levels, doesn’t matter if you don’t (think) you have the mobility,” said Curcio. “There’s so many modifications for both boxing and kettlebell.”
Roc Boxing is open seven days a week and offers six different class options alongside their amateur and youth boxing programs. rocboxing.com
This article appears in Dec 1-31, 2024.
