Applied pressure: empowering young people and the LaPlace community – L’Observateur

“Applied Pressure Boxing Gym and Fitness,” a business that recently opened on Main Street in LaPlace, is not just a gym; it is a sanctuary for young people and the community.

Business owner Cherise Blackman noticed the difficulties her son and his friends faced during the summer months, when they had “too much time on their hands.”

“He had nothing to do. And I see his mind drifting to things he shouldn’t be doing,” Blackman said. “Idle time is the devil’s workshop. When you have nothing to do, you will find something to do, especially in summer.

Blackman discovered the therapeutic benefits of boxing as a way to release stress on her own.

“I had a lot of stress. So to relieve stress, I was going to work out,” Blackman said. “Just by hitting the bag, it actually gives you a little more clarity and you burn energy. You can think of a slightly better plan. I move my body, my mind moves. And I’m productive despite the stress, as if I could cope with it.

While training at TITLE Boxing Club in Metairie, Blackman met Justin Robinson, a trainer at TITLE. There, Blackman discovered that Robinson and his fellow trainers were paid only $20 per course taught.

All of these things led Blackman to the idea of ​​opening his own gym.

“I was like, bing! Why don’t I open a boxing gym? Why don’t I take him back to LaPlace? » said Blackman. “There’s nothing else to do here.”

With the support of her husband, Corey, and children, Blackman envisioned creating a space where the community could not only find fitness, but also mentorship to guide young people toward positive decisions.

The journey to realize this dream was not without its challenges. Blackman began refinancing his home and vehicles before finding Applied Pressure’s current location on Main Street, which seemed almost destined for his project.

“We literally walked in and it was ready,” Blackman said. “In my vision, I was going to build something like this from the ground up. I was just going to have a 5,000 square foot metal building and we were going to build it, like the interior of the offices, the restrooms. I actually have a plan because I was going to talk to my contractor to see how much it would cost.

This gymnasium also serves as the headquarters for Blackman’s nonprofit organization, “Guns Down, Gloves Up.” This initiative aims to provide an alternative to violence by encouraging individuals to resolve conflicts through boxing rather than resorting to harmful actions.

“It’s not like back in the day when we were arguing. Next week it would be a different topic,” Blackman said. “But today there is video, they can go back and replay the video. Now they feel like they have to prove something else. And someone just needs to tell them that it’s really not that bad. »

According to Blackman, the “Guns Down, Gloves Up” program offers young people a healthy way to channel their energy and emotions.

“I feel like I would rather you come put some gloves on your hands and get in that ring and compete. Did you feel like it was an unfair fight? Let’s take another round. Come fight,” Blackman said. “But ultimately, get that energy off your chest, get all the emotions you’re feeling out of your system, and then go home and stay there.”

In addition to boxing, the nonprofit will offer tutoring, mentoring and job preparation programs to eligible individuals ages 13 to 18. Blackman added that they are also considering bringing in a youth counselor to provide orientation and empowerment seminars.

“It was like a refuge for them. But while they’re there, we want to talk to them. We want to see what they think, what’s going on,” Blackman said. “Just have a general conversation, without necessarily trying to sound like we’re trying to advise them.”

Although the nonprofit aspect of the gym has yet to secure funding, Blackman is actively working on grant applications and sponsorships from local businesses to make this vision a reality.

Applied Pressure aims to be more than just a boxing gym. Blackman envisions a holistic approach to fitness and personal development, with plans to expand the business to include a hair salon and other entities under the same business profile.

Classes are aimed at a wide range of age groups, from children to seniors. Yoga and dance fitness classes are also offered. Blackman currently has two trainers on staff, Robinson and Dajuvette White.

Looking to the future, Blackman aspires to become a USA Boxing sanctioned gym, allowing them to host tournaments and amateur fight nights.

“I want every quarter we have a formal event,” Blackman said. “That’s why we got such a big ring.”

Membership rates currently include monthly fees of $100 for adults, $65 for children and $80 for seniors. Applied Pressure also provides a discount to teachers and veterans in St. John Parish.

“We have yoga, we have a dance and fitness class on Thursdays at six,” Blackman said. “It’s not all boxing.”

For more information about Applied Pressure or Blackman’s nonprofit, visit applypressionboxinggym.com.