As general manager and owner of Title Boxing Club Rock Hill, Heath Norton is taking the boxing world by storm with his Power Hour classes: 60–75 minutes of cardio insanity. We decided to go see what all the hype was about.
Norton joined a Title Boxing Club in Kansas City back in 2011. After taking a few classes, Norton fell in love with the sport and has been working as a coach and personal trainer ever since. Norton stepped onto the St. Louis boxing scene back in 2012, and he’s become well known for combining crazy energy and intensity with a fun and motivating atmosphere. There’s no judgment at Title Boxing Club. Everyone’s working hard and having a great time.
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Power Hour started with a high intensity warm-up complete with jumping jacks, burpees, and squats. It suits boxers at every level and of all ages. Their youngest member is only eight and their oldest, 75. After an upbeat warm-up, the class slips on their gloves and gets ready to punch it out.
“My class is high energy and it’s for all fitness levels and abilities,” says Norton. “You can work at your own pace. It’s fun, there’s great music and… you get to punch stuff.” It’s easy to see how boxing just may be the best stress relieving workout out there. Not only does it establish endurance, tone muscles, and help with weight loss, but both boxing and kickboxing are great for building confidence and developing a sense of empowerment. Just ask any of the 20-plus tough women kicking some serious butt here at Power Hour.
When asked why boxing is so popular, Norton agrees that few other workouts can leave you feeling this bold and empowered to conquer the world. “Boxing builds strength inside and out.”
To box every day, Norton has a whole lotta equipment. Here’s what he keeps on hand.
1. Energy bars. “I eat a lot of bars. I always have a few with me.”
2. Boxing shoes.
3. Punch mitts. “These are essential for personal training and strength building.”
4. A change of clothes. “I can’t walk around all sweaty, right?”
5. Lululemon men’s underwear. “Every guy has got to get a pair of these.”
6. “Gotta stay fresh supplies.” Body wipes, deodorant, mints. “Fresh breath is the key to success.”
7. Mouthpiece for protection.
8. Gloves. “Gloves are to a boxer what shoes are to a runner. They’ve got have the right look, feel, and style.” Norton has three different pairs.
