Last Tuesday, February 11th, I had my first class with Pink Gloves Boxing. Founded in 2007 by Garret Garrels, Pink Gloves is a women’s boxing organization intending to inspire and empower women across the world. Garrels experienced a dangerous fight outside of the ring that resulted in him almost losing his life. After leaving the hospital, he was determined to give people the strength that those in his life had provided him. He started a business as a personal trainer in Helena, MT to fulfill that goal. One day he received a call from a woman who had just fired her personal trainer. She said he had compared everyone to each other as a method of motivation and it got discouraging. Garret’s immediate response was, “I’ll never do that to you.” The woman ended up bringing friends to their sessions, then the group started increasing. The result of a large, empowered group of women turned into what we know now as Pink Gloves Boxing. As of 2021, Pink Gloves had 30 locations across the United States, Norway, Sweden, and Saudi Arabia.
Although Pink Gloves isn’t considered a club, it creates another on-campus community for people to collaborate and learn. The boxing courses are all-inclusive, on the WSU Lancers website, it affirms, “We use this term to include all who identify as women, including but not limited to transgender women and feminine-of-center individuals, as well as all non-binary and/or gender non-conforming individuals.” The organization at Worcester State University also has its own Instagram account so you can stay updated on registration, learn about their classes, and even learn about folks involved.
I spoke to Emma Da Silva, a tier six and junior at Worcester State University about her time in the organization. “Pink Gloves definitely built my confidence both physically and socially and has given me an outlet for my stress,” said Da Silva. “I started Pink Gloves Boxing my freshman year of WSU as a way to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people, and it was definitely worth it. It’s one of those settings with the energy that can turn your day around. It’s such a supportive environment where everyone is always hyping each other up. You really learn a lot about yourself working with people that love and support you.” Emma teaches tier one, the starting level of the program. In total, there are seven tiers leading up to the “Champion” level at seven. Each tier teaches increasingly difficult skills, with each lasting the duration of the semester. As a tier one myself, I can already agree with Da Silva’s outlook on Pink Gloves, already receiving support from the second I walked in.
When I arrived, I was greeted with smiles and a room of excitement. I was given my bag, containing boxing gloves, hand wraps, a keychain, a bracelet, and a Members Manual. Each session focuses on different skills. In my first lesson, I was taught punches 1, 2, and 3, and in the end, I was able to perform them with confidence. In addition to varying punches, you’re taught footwork and proper form with the 1-on-1 help from your trainer. This experience has been nothing short of exciting and motivating. Not only do I get to push myself physically and get out of my comfort zone, but the only person I get to compete with is myself; Pink Gloves Boxing is all about self-improvement and confidence. I can’t wait to return and learn more crucial skills while enjoying my evening full of laughs with friends.
