Pierre Russell of Spar Houston knew that fitness was his calling. A competitive college athlete, he spent most of his life perfecting bodybuilding, sports performance, rehabilitation, and boxing.
Although boxing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about getting in shape, as a high-intensity training method it has proven to be a great form of exercise. Short bursts of high-intensity exercise have shown the same improvements in lung and heart health as 45 minutes of lower-to-moderate intensity exercise.
With this knowledge in-hand, Russell decided to put his kinesiology and entrepreneurship degree to work and open Spar Houston. Russell's focus for the past year has been to create a fitness community in around the sport.
Why did you decide to open Spar Houston?
After selling my previous fitness facility, I opened Spar Houston to provide a much more versatile opportunity for people to train.
How is Spar Houston different from other gyms?
At Spar Houston we integrate the sport of boxing into functional fitness. Our goal is to not only make our clients move better but also to become better boxers.
Why did you decide to focus on boxing as your main form of training?
Boxing requires minimal equipment and is something anyone at any age can do. It is also a form of self-defense, and the impact on the body is low.
What is the biggest misconception people with no boxing experience have about the sport?
People think the sport is a lot easier than they see on TV. Boxing is more skillful, and it is about establishing a rhythm.
What is one piece of advice you can give to people who are trying to stick with their New Year's resolution?
I recommend finding something you genuinely enjoy, and you'll never have a problem doing it every single day. For a lot of my members, boxing is fun but also mentally and physically challenging.
I recommend finding something you genuinely enjoy, and you'll never have a problem doing it every single day. For a lot of my members, boxing is fun but also mentally and physically challenging.