A Family Fitness case study showing how boxing together can keep your family healthy and happy.
Meet the Lavulavus
I had the opportunity to watch and learn from the Lavulavus as they practiced boxing together at Alpine Boxing. It was heartwarming to watch their family work and learn together while having fun at the same time.
They’re an impressive bunch of athletes too, with the oldest daughter being recruited by Brown University to play rugby and the oldest son playing basketball at American Fork High School. While I spoke with Mr. Lauvulavu, he provided some impressive insights for why he chose to spend time boxing with his family.
1. How did you get into boxing?
Mr. Lavulavu: “I started boxing ah… I don’t even remember. I just like to fight a lot. I really enjoy being aggressive, but when I had kids I realized that’s not the right thing to do.” He said with a knowing chuckle and a twinkle in his eye.
Mr. Lavulavu tries to teach his children by example. He continued, “I just got back into boxing again because of my kids… The biggest reason I got back into boxing is because I want my kids to learn defense. I want them to learn how to counter and getaway, not so much to get in a fight.” He reiterated, “The main reason [for boxing is] I want them to learn is how to defend themselves, counter the move, and then getaway.”
2. Why did you decide to have your family learn boxing now?
Mr. Lavulavu: “I just think one of my jobs as a dad is to teach my kids to protect themselves… Not only do I think as a dad I should provide for them, but I also should teach them how to protect themselves too.”
3. What has it been like to learn boxing and train together as a family?
Mr. Lavulavu: “It’s been awesome. My family is getting together; we do boxing in the evenings… When we have time to get together, we kinda just go over some defensive moves, how to counter it, and then a couple combos here and there. But also it’s fun because we all get to do it together.
“If they have questions about it they come to me, or they save their question to ask Aaron [the instructor], and then we can work on some of these things that are reality, not so much things on tv… It’s brought our family together, big time.
“You have football families that go and watch the game and all that stuff, but I think when you can work out with your family there is a greater cause for it, you can kinda see the fruits of it happening every night.” He continued with a big smile, “And every now and then you kinda throw one at them, and then you see them dodge… it makes me feel good.”
4. Why did you choose boxing for family time?
Mr. Lavulavu: “Our girls play volleyball, dance, and they do track. And then my sons, they play basketball, rugby, and football. We have a full schedule just in one day. There’s practice everyday, and then there’s games and tournaments every other day. I have to have family time somewhere,” He said earnestly.
“And so out of all of those sports, I feel like this is the one most valuable to them… If you teach them to defend themselves, then when they go off on their own, they know how to defend, counter, and call for help. And that’s my ultimate goal.”
5. Why did you choose Alpine Boxing?
Mr. Lavulavu: “I’ve been looking for a boxing club, not a boxing fitness. Big difference right? So one they just tire you out, but they don’t do the right defense I’m looking for. They don’t give me the right combos and counters that I’m looking for in a coach.”
He continued, “I went to the other ones and they were all just fitness. It was more like a lose weight, I-want-to-look-good thing. But that doesn’t really help you in an unexpected attack, or if some idiot decides to do something stupid. I just want to find something that’s real…
“We’re not in it for 10-round-12-round boxing champions. We’re just in it to be confident and learn the realities of attacks from all sides, getting blindsided, learning how to take a hit… If you think about it, how many people actually fight [for real]? You have all these things on the media that make it look like it’s popular to fight, but what does it give you? It doesn’t give you much unless it’s a professional career. So the best thing to do is just to learn how to defend.”
6. What’s your favorite part about boxing with your family?
Second Youngest Son: Being able to learn how to fight with my family so if anything happens, I’ll already have something that’s protecting me that’s attached to my body.” He said with a laugh.
Youngest Daughter: She giggled, “Punching stuff!” Then she said, “And I’ll already know how to box when I get older.”
Why do you want to know how to box when you get older?
“Because I’m going to teach my kids how to box!”
7. Have you ever seen “Rocky”?
Youngest Daughter: “Who’s Rocky?” she said confused. After I elaborated on the movie about the Italian Stallion she said, “Why can’t I learn boxing instead of watching Rocky?” A very good point. Why would you watch Rocky when you can box yourself. She said, “ I would want more boxing instead of watching Rocky… My dad says more cleaning, less watching!”
The Takeaways
Takeaway #1: Boxing is a great way to stay fit, but it can offer something much more than that: confidence and security. Learning how to defend yourself is empowering. Knowing you can take care of yourself if something bad happens allows for a peace of mind and greater happiness. For kids, it teaches them useful life skills, while having fun, allowing them to live healthier and happier lives.
Takeaway #2: Family time is important, but we live in a busy world. It’s hard to find time where the entire family can bond and spend time all together. That’s why it is so important to set aside at least one time every week to spend with family. Even better if you can spend that time as a family learning and growing with each other.
Takeaway #3: “More cleaning, less watching.” A simple message when applied to chores, but when applied to life as a whole it has some greater implications. Stop watching others do what you want to or need to do. Take action and be proactive in pursuing the things you love. Don’t just be with your family idly watching them. Instead engage with them, learn about them, work with them. That is how anything is built or any relationship is developed: engage, learn, work.
More cleaning, less watching.
What are ways we can spend time with our families in an engaging way without just watching them? Share your ideas in the comments!
Interested in taking boxing lessons as a family? Call Alpine Fitness at (801)216-4299 to schedule an appointment today!
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