Title Boxing Club m.Flats (located at the Tenm.Flat apartments) is more than a place to build muscle and burn calories; it is an inclusive environment designed to initiate a self-revolution. Regardless of age, fitness levels, or previous experience, Title Boxing Club was created with the intention of empowering and supporting anyone who walks through the door. Opening in downtown Columbia in April 2019, the club has served as a community gathering place for mental and physical transformation for local residents. Owner Harry King, passionate about fitness since he was a child, has cultivated a career in advocating for personal development. A lover of people and a believer in the “you versus you,” fitness philosophy, King’s desire to assist members in their own fight is a cornerstone to the Title Boxing community.
Unfortunately, the club was forced to close its doors this past March in the wake of the pandemic. ‘Dig Deep,’ the mantra for the club resonates not only for members but for the club itself. The adjustment in being forced to close less than a year after opening was not easy. Attempting to weather the storm, the entire staff had to be furloughed during the community lockdown. It has been quite challenging to envision the future for the establishment, but nevertheless, the club has taken concrete steps to adapt to new regulations in the midst of this difficult time.
Title Boxing Club had a restricted reopening in June, restructuring the in-person experience to adhere to medical and state guidelines. Whenever guests enter the club, they must be wearing a mask and get their temperature taken. Class sizes have been reduced to uphold social distancing, including only allowing alternating boxing bags to be used while maintaining six feet of distance.There has also been a no-share policy instituted with their gloves, halting rentals for the current time. Instead, guests are encouraged to bring their own to practice with.
Along with the other measures taken, class times have been intentionally staggered in order for every piece of equipment to be thoroughly sanitized after each class. King notes that attending the club is not only a physical challenge for returning members, but additionally serves as a much-needed stress reliever. “This is new territory for all of us, unprecedented times,” said King. “I hope we continue to see a decline in the number of cases of COVID-19 so that people become more comfortable coming out and going into group settings. If that is the case, we will increase our class offerings and be able to become more creative in what we do as a club.” Title Boxing Club also encourages returning guests to download the mobile app Impact Wrap. Created to support tracking fitness histories, the app provides quantitative numbers for the workout, allowing users to analyze their progress over a period of time. As the world’s first technology that monitors the speed and force behind heavy bag workouts, app users are able to witness their growth both in and outside of the Club.
Naturally, physical exercise has been a saving grace for King throughout the pandemic. At home, he enjoys strength training, riding his mountain bike, and boxing. In the meantime, King suggests to people who want to remain in shape during this time to remain active. “ Go outside. Run, bike, hike. Move. Getting your heart rate elevated and allowing it to recover is what makes the cardiovascular system stronger. With increased safety measures and digital resources, Title Boxing Club m.Flats will go the distance for the Columbia community.
