Why Boxing?
Meet the Instructors
Why Strong Martha?
WHY BOXING?
If there’s a more complete workout on the planet, we haven’t found it yet.
Boxing hits every body part and muscle group, increasing mental and physical agility along the way. With every punch, you’re working your arms, chest, back, and core. Footwork drills, weaves, and low punches work your legs. Pad work sharpens your memory, coordination, focus, and reflexes.
It is the strength of accuracy: connecting with a moving target, from the heavy bag to pads to the double-end bag and speed bag. It’s all about controlled focus, force, and awareness.
The magic of boxing is that it offers the same benefits to anyone at any level.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned regular, the exercises remain just as challenging, no matter how good you are. It’s always going to be hard, in the most rewarding way.
Despite the intensity of movement, the environment is non-competitive.
There’s no sparring or trying to knock each other out, and unless you really want to, you won’t face off against another human at any point during a class.
And when you combine the intensity, the movements, the coordination, and the concentration, you get a workout that’s actually fun! An hour flies by and, before you know it, you’ve burned way more calories than running, lifting, or a HIIT class, building muscle that will keep your metabolism humming long after you hang up your gloves.
The mental benefits of boxing give the physical benefits a run for their money.
Improved neuro-cognitive performance, elevated mood, sleep quality, self-confidence. Boxing has even been studied as a rehabilitation treatment for mental health, COPD, Parkinson’s disease, breast and ovarian cancer, and dementia, with promising results.
Oh, and did we mention the therapeutic potential, stress relief, low risk for injury, and camaraderie built from group classes? Yeah, all of that, too.
So, if you find yourself wondering “Why boxing?” the better question might be “Why not?” Your body and your mind will be invigorated, and you might just find yourself hooked, like we are.
WHY STRONG MARTHA?
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Strong Martha is a boxing gym, but it’s much more than that.
It’s a close-knit community. An exciting way to stay in shape. And a part of what makes this island such a wonderfully unique place. That’s why we chose Strong Martha. But Strong Martha also chose us.
The gym was founded by long-time islander Charlie Giordano in 2019, for all of the above reasons. He built the gym from four bare walls, transforming the space with equipment, shelving, and motivational slogans strewn along the walls. And he cultivated a following that was dedicated to the sport, but even more so, attracted to his passion and charisma – a following that relied on the gym as a form of therapy as well as a means to exercise and health.
When it came time to move on, Charlie passed the torch to us, as OG members and instructors.
We took over with the intention of preserving Strong Martha’s place in Vineyard culture and sharing this place we love with a growing community of open, enthusiastic participants.
Since the change of ownership in summer of 2022, we’ve built on the community borne by Charlie, ensuring that the gym remains a haven for islanders, wash-ashores, and tourists alike; for adults and kids, men and women, and folks in all stages of life.
Strong Martha’s doors are open to all.
Whether for physical fitness, mental stability, stress relief, a judgment-free space, or just a really fun workout. Every newcomer is a welcome addition to our wonderful island community.
We can’t wait to get stronger with you!
Sam Rothberg
Emily Mizer
Instructors
Emily Mizer
During COVID, Emily left the insanity of Los Angeles for a month-long writing sabbatical on the Vineyard, with the intent to extend it to two months if she liked it. That was the summer of 2020. She’s still here.
With a background in film, Emily is no stranger to changing locations often. Her first priority has always been to find a boxing gym, no matter where she is. Strong Martha welcomed her with open arms, and provided the type of community she had found lacking in previous gyms: one that actually cares. She began co-teaching a weight-lifting class in the mornings and, like Sam, slowly took over more of the class load and responsibility until the gym changed hands in 2022.
Emily’s love of boxing began at Bas Rutten’s Elite MMA gym in Thousand Oaks, CA, but being a southpaw, she always struggled to find the right trainer until she met Charlie and joined the Strong Martha community.
In addition to boxing, Emily has worked with a personal weight-lifting trainer since 2017. She also trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and loves taking the doodles (her extremely cute dogs) on long hikes every day.
Emily teaches four weekly strength-training classes, kids boxing classes, as well as the occasional adult boxing class. She’s available for both boxing and weight-lifting private sessions.
In her spare time, Emily is wrapping up her first novel – extending that writing sabbatical as long as she can! – and freelancing on the occasional film gig that piques her interest.
Sam Rothberg
Sam came to Martha’s Vineyard for music, stayed for the peace and quiet, and now runs Strong Martha with his biz partner, Emily.
A part-time islander for the past decade, and a full-time resident as of 2019, Sam was quite possibly Charlie Giordano’s first student when the gym first opened; he began teaching classes himself that same summer, and slowly took over more of the class load and responsibility until the gym changed hands in the summer of 2022.
Prior to Strong Martha, Sam trained at Uppercut Boxing Gym in Minneapolis and the legendary Brotherhood Boxing Club in Brooklyn.
Sam teaches the four weekly boxing classes, and is also available for private sessions.
In his non-existent spare time, he runs several other businesses including The Dukes of Circuit Avenue, a wedding band on the island.