Story by Haley Stoklosa
Bellarmine Wellness puts on fitness classes that Bellarmine students can participate in. There are 10 different classes, and they are held in the SuRF or in the Siannas.
Kyle Rieber teaches two of these wellness classes, boxing and jujitsu. Rieber is a public safety officer at Bellarmine who volunteers his time as an umpire for softball games and an instructor for these classes.
Rieber trained under a professional fighter to participate in the Tough Man competition back in 2000. He trained every day for six months, acquiring knowledge and experience in boxing.
Senior Connor Fox has been going to Reiber’s boxing class for more than a year. He learned many new skills while training with him such as how to switch between stances.
“I was always taught northern orthodox and never changed it, but Kyle told me I should switch it up with southpaw. I was resistant to it, but then I started to see how it was useful and it is a good skill to have,” Fox said.
Freshman Tania Vergara-Gongora was completely new to boxing when she first started coming to the sessions.
“I've always been very interested in sports or activities that are not popular or girl- oriented. I saw boxing and thought, that's very cool I'm going to try that out,” she said.
The class always starts with three rounds of jump rope for 90 seconds. It also has drills and stations that focus on cardio and movement for a minute each.
Fox said his favorite part is the way Rieber sets up the drills for them.
“Boxing is a fun way to do cardio. Kyle takes advantage of that by doing fun drills,” he said.
Gongora said how empowering the class makes her feel is her favorite part. She said she was trying to get her other friends to join the class to have more girls with her.
Students do not have to have any prior knowledge or skill needed to join the class, Rieber said.
“Anyone is welcome, there’s no advanced skill needed. Just come on in, and I will get you started,” Rieber said.
Fox said this class is good for anyone interested in getting into boxing.
“It has the same cardio level as actual boxing. The more you do it, the more you get used to it. You can see if you are interested in the sport,” he said.
Kyle Rieber’s boxing class poses in the SuRF. Photo courtesy of Rieber.
Rieber says his favorite part of coaching this class is how hard the students work during their 45-minute sessions.
“Man, just seeing them work hard and how much they put into it... It's a great opportunity. It’s just awesome I get to work with these students,” he said.
Gongora advises students to give it a try.
“The environment is so welcoming. There’s two of us girls right now, but everybody is so supportive,” she said.
This boxing class is every Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Reiber encourages students to arrive early to put their wraps on before class starts.
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