Youth Boxing Program
While this may look like any other gym, it is home to many area boxers, who spend countless hours enduring grueling training, all with one goal in mind, to win their next match.
The Police Athletic League of Zanesville operates this facility located at 804 Pine Street and offers a variety of programs to the public, for free.
Joining this gym means you have to trade in the bad grades and bad attitudes, for hard work and discipline.
"I started out when I was a troubled student and I had real bad grades, like D’s and F’s and I got into fights a lot, and it just keeps me out of trouble and I have straight A’s now," said Travis Jerig.
Other boxers agree it has changed them for the better.
"It keeps me in shape, it’s real good about staying disciplined, you can’t be out there smoking and drinking, you have to stay focused, you have to come to the gym constantly at least four times a week if you want to be good," said Cory Byers.
Coach Tim Hartmeyer says the work outs are tough and require a lot of strength and endurance. He says there is often a misconception that it’s a violent sport.
"We get a bad rep because very few times do we ever have injuries and when we do it’s a bloody nose because the idea is not to get hit," said Hartmeyer.
He says the gear is padded and so is the mat, preventing serious injuries. Medical staff checks the boxers before, during and after the fights.
"Football game me really bad injury with a ripped tendon in my knee, so I had to start this to rehabilitate and I did and I really started liking it, so I just kind of gave up on football and started this," said Chris Hasten.
Hartmeyer says he can’t believe the level of success some of the athletes have achieved, making it to national competitions and some even having the opportunity to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.
"The idea is that if you set goals and those goals are based on a dream, I’ve had people say ‘oh well you shouldn’t dream’ well I think you should because every now and then those dreams do come true," he said.
For more information on the programs offered, you van visit: www.palzanesville.org
