Striking Beauties – Step Back OR Get Hit!

Interview by Pattee Mak | August 2, 2012

I had the pleasure to interview Mary Del Pino Morgan.  She is currently employed as the manager of a boxing gym in Massachusetts called Striking Beauties located at 18 Church Street in North Attleboro.   The gym’s telephone number is 508-699-5425.   Their website is www.strikingbeauties.com.   This boxing gym isn’t like all the other boxing gyms in the area.  Striking Beauties main focuses is training females in the sport of boxing while being in a comfortable atmosphere.

Pattee Mak:  Good Morning.

Pattee Mak:  Tell me, how did this gym come about and why a gym geared just for females?

Mary Del Pino Morgan:  Dena Paolino, the owner, saw a need and has created an environment that is friendly, welcoming, and all-inclusive as far as fitness and experience levels.  Striking Beauties Boxing Gym is also for those who want to take their boxing skills to the next level and compete.  Our goal is to bring the many benefits of boxing to more girls and women.

Pattee Mak:  Have any professional boxers come out of this gym?

Mary Del Pino Morgan:  Not yet! We do hope to raise a new generation of girl boxers here.  We have trained several National Champions, two 2010 National Golden Gloves Champs and a 2011 National PALS Champ.  We have quite a few Masters that have begun to compete as well, which is exciting and really speaks to the growing affection for boxing among women of all ages.

Pattee Mak:  Who are the trainers in your gym?

Mary Del Pino Morgan:  We are so proud of our excellent trainers! 4x female World Champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt-Hayes designs our boxing programs and is also a Holistic Nutritional/Health Coach.  Shelito Vincent, undefeated professional female boxer who won her 4th Pro fight July 21st at Mohegan Sun Arena, Mike Culbert, professional boxer (30-4-1) 6KOs, who fought Mickey Ward and Roberto Duran.  Zach Reay, amateur boxer and USA-Certified Boxing Coach, Lorie George, certified in kickboxing and self-defense instructor, Tracey Pierce, who holds a blue belt in Muay Thai and Krav Maga, Ricky Pierce, black/red belt in Muay Thai and Krav Maga, Jess Cohen, Head Coach of Mass Attack Roller Derby, and Helen Taylor, a certified running coach.  All of our trainers teach classes and do private training as well.

Pattee Mak:  I may have to take a road trip and visit your gym up there one of these days.

Pattee Mak:  It definitely seems that they all have had some sort of boxing or fighting background?

Mary Del Pino Morgan: All of our boxing instructors have competitive experience. We are obsessive with quality and authenticity, which is why we only allow instructors to teach boxing classes if they have competed in an amateur or pro fight.

Pattee Mak:  What type of workout equipment do you carry in your gym.

Mary Del Pino Morgan: We have everything necessary.  Cardio equipment, weights, TRX equipment, kettlebells, medicine balls and of course a variety of heavy bags, speed bags and double end bag, as well as a regulation boxing ring.

Pattee Mak:  Tell me in detail about the classes your gym has.

Mary Del Pino Morgan:  As an all-female boxing gym, Striking Beauties has two equally compelling purposes/missions:  To introduce women and girls to the sport of boxing. Whether they want to workout like a boxer or train to actually become one AND to establish and grow an amateur boxing team which will compete across the country in national tournaments.

Our classes therefore focus on teaching beginners the fundamentals of boxing. The 30 minute “intro” class is mandatory for new visitors and members. Once you have taken the “intro” class, you can take our Traditional Boxing class, which mirrors a boxer’s pre-fight training workout. It includes jump rope, shadow boxing, footwork, conditioning moves, ab work, bag work and defense.  Our Boxing Drills class is an intense bag workout while Advanced Boxing is sparring under the critical eye of a professional boxer or coach and all who spar are required to have the proper equipment and be registered with USA Boxing.  All of our Boxing classes incorporate core conditioning moves and ab work as well!

In addition to boxing and sparring, we offer sport specific conditioning, bootcamps, kickboxing and weight-training classes. Several times throughout the year we offer specialty workshops and boot camps taught by guest trainers such as world champion boxers and kickboxers and professional football players. And of course we have an amazing children’s program that focuses on discipline, respect, technique, conditioning and most importantly FUN!
Pattee Mak:  Do you offer any one on one personal training?

Mary Del Pino Morgan:  All of our trainers, including the professional boxers, are available for personal training. You just can’t get a better work out than one that is tailored specifically to your needs and goals!

Pattee Mak:  Do you have scheduled sparring sessions?

Mary Del Pino Morgan: Yes! We have open sparring scheduled 3 times a week and more often by appointment.  We welcome anyone to come with their trainers and spar with our girls.  Again, proper equipment and registration with USA Boxing is required.
Pattee Mak:  If someone came off the street and never had any type of boxing training what would be the first step you would show them in your gym?

Mary Del Pino Morgan:  The first conversation we have with everyone that comes through the door or calls will begin with a warm welcome!  We will first determine what they want out of the gym experience, and how we can best support their goals. We always start out with a free 30 minute semi-private boxing intro; during this time, the client will learn body mechanics, how to wrap hands, basic punches, footwork and defensive moves.  This intro helps prevent injury from improper form, and also makes them more comfortable for their first class, immediately following.  We also implement the “buddy system” here; pairing up new members with our veterans to help see them through the class and offer the support and encouragement that comes from their experience.  Some women come because they want to try boxing but didn’t feel comfortable in a men’s boxing gym, some just want to get into great shape and feel great about themselves and others aspire to compete.  Although these goals often cross, our priority is to learn about our clients and their needs.

Pattee Mak:  Do you have any co-ed classes or any male classes?

Mary Del Pino Morgan:  All of our Little Strikers and Strikers Kids classes are co-ed, from ages 4-13, and we have a co-ed Boxing Drills Class on Sundays at 9:00 am with Zach. Our members love to bring their friends, husbands, boyfriends, brothers or even their sons to show them what a great work out boxing is.  We have had men pass out!

Pattee Mak:  About how many members do you currently have at your gym?

Mary Del Pino Morgan:  Currently Striking Beauties has over 200 active members.

Pattee Mak:  If someone wanted to have a diet drawn up.  Are their qualified individuals on staff that can help people achieve their goals?

Mary Del Pino Morgan:  Jaime Clampitt-Hayes is a Holistic Health Coach, and she will perform a comprehensive evaluation with a client and write up a custom diet and exercise program. It is truly a very valuable service we offer!  We are also distributors of Juice Plus, which is a whole-food based vitamin and protein shake line.

Pattee Mak:  What hours are you open?

Mary Del Pino Morgan:  We have a variety of membership options, some of which include a key-card for 24/7 access to the gym and all equipment.  Otherwise, we have classes throughout every day beginning at 6:00 am and generally ending 7:30 pm. We also offer weekend classes.

Pattee Mak:  What is the monthly/yearly membership fee to join and would someone have to pay a start up enrollment fee?

Mary Del Pino Morgan:  We do not have any start-up fees nor contract-term obligations, and our memberships start at just $25.00 per month!

Pattee Mak:  Have you ever gone on the floor and hit the heavy bag?

Mary Del Pino Morgan:  Always! I started here 3 years ago as a member, and am now the manager…one of the best things about my job is that I am in the gym all the time, in this fun, healthy atmosphere; I take as many classes as I can, mostly boxing and weight-training.  I absolutely love it.  Some days after a shift I’ll just practice the speed bag for a while, it’s such great relaxation therapy!

Pattee Mak:  For someone who may feel intimated at first to try your gym, what would you like to say to them?

Mary Del Pino Morgan:  I LOVE it when people call me or stop in and are apprehensive…I tell them my story! I was where they are right now, and that taking this first step by calling or coming in is the start of a life-changing experience, not only for their overall health, but for their stress level, emotional state…boxing is such great therapy!  I have lost 50 lbs since coming here, and have gained so much strength and self-confidence.  Striking Beauties is such a great place because there is a comfort level there that I don’t believe I found in any other gym. Our Striking Beauties Team recently completed the Warrior Dash together.  There’s nothing like the support of your friends to get you through something like that and it carries over into daily life; we are all there for each other!  It really is such a supportive environment that enables girls and women to come out of their shells and realize that boxing is not intimidating, not violent, but is an artistic skill that can only be improved the more they do it.

Pattee Mak:  Have you heard any negative comments because it’s a “girl” gym?

Mary Del Pino Morgan:  When we first opened many people didn’t take us seriously. However, over the years we have proven ourselves by training national champions, creating the first authentic “12 Rounds BOXING  Boot Camp” home workout DVD package, (in stores this fall!), sponsoring a daily morning tv program and promoting the first USA Boxing sanctioned all-female boxing show in New England. There will always be those who don’t take us seriously. That is their mistake. We are forces of nature!

Pattee Mak:  Yes we are!!

Pattee Mak:  I read that franchises are now available.  Would someone be purchasing the franchises off of the owner or did you buy into a franchise?

Mary Del Pino Morgan: Expansion is definitely our goal! However, we have not yet started to franchise. We plan on opening 1 or 2 more corporate owned studios before we start preparing to franchise.

Pattee Mak:  What would be the cost of the franchise?

Mary Del Pino Morgan: It’s really too early to have that information.

Pattee Mak:  Would you like to share some of your success stories you have heard from some of your clients?

Mary Del Pino Morgan:  Our members are always sharing their stories about how finding Striking Beauties has helped them lose weight, recover from injuries by gaining strength, or helped them just deal with life better!  Here are some quotes from our testimonial page: “I can’t even tell you how cool it is that there’s a place like [Striking Beauties] for so many different types of women-from professional athlete to “I’ve let myself go for the last 10 years”!!  I find myself both inspired by the more athletic women, and comforted by the ones who are more on my level. Whenever I walk in, I know that no matter what kind of day or workout I’m having, I will both be pushed and encouraged, or comforted and consoled!”

“Striking Beauties is a unique, personal gym that truly takes an interest in the individual needs and levels of each member.  I never thought I would enjoy or join a boxing gym, but the classes are empowering and fun!  I’m loving the sense of accomplishment I feel after a workout.”

“I have multiple gym memberships but I feel what sets Striking Beauties aside is the one-on one attention.  Because it’s smaller, you get to know everyone, there’s less intimidation and I feel bad not to go – like you’re letting them down!  It is a true family and that helps get me there”



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