Boxmaster by Star Trac-Pretender or Contender !

An impartial review of the Boxmaster by Star Trac appearing in lpsft magazine September addition 

https://issuu.com/lsfpt/docs/lfpt_issue_08_01/40?e=0

By Mike James

Here in the United States with cable television stations galore, infomercials saturate  the airwaves with neatly coifed presenters, enthusiastically endorsing everything from weight loss devices, to memory enhancement systems and fool proof ways to improve your golf swing. Naturally the fitness industry is a prime target for infomercial producers trying to promote the new 'must have' piece of fitness equipment, One product that hasn’t quite hit the airwaves yet is Boxmaster, marketed by equipment supplier Star Trac pty ltd. Originally designed in Australia by Rai Fazio a former Aussie Golden Gloves Boxing Champion this product made its’ debut in the North American market at the 2013 International Health Racquetball and Squash Association Trade show held in March 2013 in San Diego.

Used extensively throughout Australia the Boxmaster has had a slow start in the USA largely due to a stagnant economy and a general slowdown in equipment sales throughout the Fitness Industry. However the Boxmaster is now beginning to be seen in many Fitness Centers, Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts studios throughout North America

The World Bank Fitness Center was one of the first centers to purchase the Boxmaster for use in their main 24,000 sq. ft. facility in Washington in June of 2013. As Manager of the World Bank Fitness Centers I was able to do some direct market research on the product via contacts in my native Australia who had either purchased or used the product.

So after 12 months of high intensity use in well over 300 boxing, Martial Arts or circuit style classes how does this product hold up and is it worth purchasing?

Here is my impartial review of the Boxmaster

Boxmaster – essential or same old same old?

After 35 years in the Fitness Industry and a passion for boxing related training I was aware that here have been many similar products in the Martial Arts world which offer a somewhat similar design with pads placed in various angles from a central pole akin to a stationary octopus. 

I have used these products many times before. While the concept was good in terms of providing a greater variety of punches, I always found that the angles provided were somewhat awkward and not realistic, with a hitting surface either too soft or too hard. One of the keys to the Boxmaster's success is that they have been able to provide a more realistic “punching mitt feel” by using a spring system attached to each pad. These springs enable the pads to offer a slight “give” on impact thereby reducing the likelihood of impact injury to the hands and wrists. The pad placement is slightly angled and allows for a greater variety of styles and punch combinations. The designer Rai Fazio’s boxing expertise obviously was instrumental in this phase of the design. The first thing to notice about the Boxmaster is that it is a very large piece. The central tower with base weighs over 240 kg with a width of 179 cms and a length of over 200 cms. The adjustable tower caters to heights from approximately150 to 210 cms. Space is a concern. If you have a small facility that caters to a lot of different types of classes and requires mobile easily moveable equipment the Boxmaster may not be appropriate. 

At the World Bank Fitness Centers Main Complex facility with over 24,000 sq. ft., 4 Group Exercise studios including separate areas for both Spinning and Yoga/mind body activities we have enough room to include this piece. At our smaller 10,000 sq. facility at the International Finance Corporation where there is only one 1multi purpose studio to cater for Spinning/Mind body, step, muscle fitness etc. a Boxmaster would take up too much space to be placed as a permanent fixture.

But if you have the space the Boxmaster is well worth the investment. 

Here’s why.

The key Advantages.

Durability - It is a very strong piece. Over the past 12 months we have had many different members use the Boxmaster with no effect on the machine. The warranties for the machine reflect this with the frame being covered for 5 years as well as all movable parts including the springs. 

The upholstery on the pads only has a 6 month warranty, but it has held up extremely well. Also we are talking about a purely punching apparatus. There are models that include padding on the center piece for kicking but this discussion is restricted to solely the punching version of the Boxmaster, which includes the tower with base

Versatility - Unlike other boxing apparatus the Boxmaster offers a range of punch combinations which are easy to follow for beginners to boxing training. With a punching bag it is very difficult for a beginner to learn how to through anything more than a straight left jab, straight right (1,2) combination. It is also very difficult for beginners even through to intermediate skills level to learn how to correctly execute punches like hooks and upper cuts on a punching bag, especially if it is a 100lb plus heavy version. With the Boxmaster the individually numbered pads provides an easy tool to teach beginners and provide a greater variety of punches to maintain interest.

Teaching cues – The base itself is divided into 2 parts with a line down the middle. I have found this to be an excellent cue to teach people how to maintain correct evenly balanced footwork which is the most important aspect of boxing training. The central cushion designed for uppercuts, body hooks, rips etc, also acts as a great cue for the beginner to keep their hands up. When technique is not good or fatigue comes into play the hands tend to drop .This central piece gives another visual cue that reinforces the instructor’s exhortations to “keep your hands up”

Motivation - With traditional boxing pieces like the speedball and floor to ceiling ball, there is usually quite a long learning curve. The rhythm required to master the speedball for instance and the awkward first few learning steps can often deter a beginner from sticking to the plan. 

The Boxmaster’s numbered pads and accompanying posters detailing the punch sequence are very easy to follow, even if technique may be lacking at the start. A good instructor can use this to help focus on punch technique and efficiency. 

As renowned boxing trainer Freddie Roach has said. “No matter if you are teaching competitive boxers, average Joes or Hollywood super models you should teach the skills and techniques properly and in good form.” 

Circuit training – A piece like the Boxmaster can also be used in general circuit training and sports conditioning classes. Star Trac markets the program to include a 5 minute warm up with 7 rounds of boxing each of 90 second duration followed by 7 rounds of active recovery also of 90 seconds each which totals approximately 30 minutes of activity

The circuit’s 90 second recovery round can involve traditional boxing equipment including skipping ropes, speed balls, medicine balls, punching bags and floor to ceiling balls etc, or alternatively non boxing apparatus including steps, TRX, spin bikes etc. 

Participants obviously are not limited to this format as Circuit training can take various forms with varying work rest ratios. The work/rest ratio employed depends on the person's fitness level and proficiency with the equipment. The beginner may find it hard to maintain a rhythm with the speed and floor to ceiling balls so it may be worthwhile incorporating a few aerobic stations like cycling, rowing or rebounders to help elevate the heart rate and obtain a training effect. For beginners 2 minute work, 20 -30 second rest ratio can be employed.

For the more advanced fitness levels who can work the various apparatus with a fair degree of skill, a slightly longer work and rest ratio can be employed, for example, a 3 minute work, 10 second rest ratio between each piece

Height adjustment – The machine itself caters for heights 150 cms height right through to the 210 cm. The adjustments while not super difficult are not quick and easy either. With a class of over 10 people all of different shapes and sizes you will have to do a visual and come up one height that fits all. Generally speaking I have found that erring to the smaller gives more options as the tall folks can hit down a lot easier than smaller folks hitting up and not reaching the pads to jab. Generally something around the 170 cm height range seems to work for most crowds. 

Obviously this may change if teaching taller more athletic populations like rugby or basketball players.

Is the “good pad man” a thing of the past?

So with the advent of this strong durable apparatus that provides a variety of angles, punch styles, combinations and teaching opportunities is old style skilled “pad man” now redundant and a thing of the past. 

No definitely not. There are still various aspects of going through punch combinations with a living moving skilled pad man that you simply cannot replicate on a machine. A machine does not move like a human being, and does not slip; duck counter and most importantly punch back. A skilled pad man can provide these drills and hence replicate a more realistic boxing scenario.

The Final decision is?

Ladies and gentlemen, the bell has rung and this bout is over. It’s in the hand of the judges. Is the Boxmaster by Star Trac a contender or pretender?

If the happy members and Management of the World Bank Fitness Center are the judges the Boxmaster is a definite winner.

If you have the space and the $$( at approx. $3000 US it is not cheap) the durability of the machine and the variety and skill teaching opportunities it adds to a Boxing or circuit training regime it is well worth the investment.