Keizertimes., April 16, 2021, Page 9, Image 9

APRIL 16, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A9
And in the blue corner: YOU
New gym opens with
a mission to expand
interest in gloving up
BROOKLYN FLINT
Of the Keizertimes
oe 2 Toe Boxing's Adam Navarro is
ready to put some people on their
heels.
Navarro, the owner of the new gym in
southeast Keizer, hopes the space intro-
duces the sport he loves to a new audi-
ence and is a launchpad for those who
want to go deeper.
Navarro became interested in boxing
when he was a kid but lived in a place that
had little to no opportunities for the sport.
He then moved to Boise, Idaho, in his
twenties where he joined a boxing team,
he said.
After that, Navarro did a lot of coach-
ing for kids and adults. What started as
an interest evolved into something more
like a calling. That grew into Toe 2 Toe
Boxing.
The gym offers multiple classes for all
ages and all skill levels. Navarro’s classes
and his gym are designed to be accessible
to those with disabilities as well.
“About 97% of the people that come
in our doors have never put on boxing
gloves,” Navarro said.
He noticed that most of the new mem-
bers who join his classes weren’t aware
of their own strength in boxing and end
up being surprised at what they could
accomplish with a little instruction.
T
“We push it a little
bit. We want to see you
grow and get stronger,”
Navarro said.
Navarro also wants to
teach people how box-
ing differs from other
exercise.
“The thing with boxing
is that you just work every
muscle in your body and
you’re doing it at the same
time. A lot of times you
don’t even know you’re
doing it,” Navarro said.
To encourage people
to try boxing, the first
class is free. Gloves are
provided if needed and Adam Navarro is the owner and trainer at Toe 2 Toe boxing.
can also be purchased at
As for the future of Toe 2 Toe Boxing,
the gym. New members should expect
a loud and action-packed environment. Navarro hopes to expand his business
Music is played in every class and shout- by having another location somewhere
like Woodburn or Silverton, he said. He
ing is encouraged.
“I want them to have fun and see that also wants to start a non-profit that would
cardio doesn’t have to be boring,” Navarro provide a free place for people to box and
have fun.
said.
Navarro is also taking precautions to
make sure everyone is safe. In addition to
everyone wearing a face mask, the equip-
ment is wiped down between each class
and a deep clean is done at the end of
every day.
Speed Bump By DAVE COVERLY
Photo by BROOKLYN FLINT of Keizertimes
“I really encourage people to just
get ahold of us, come and try a class,”
Navarro said.
For more information and to sign up
for classes, visit toe2toeboxing.com. The
gym is located at 1130 Candlewood Drive
N.E.