Fitness Success With A Passion for Health
What do you get when you cross an Air Force Veteran, a Marine Veteran, A Body Builder, A Wrestler, A Golden Glove Champ and a Vivacious Zumba Instructor?
You get the hottest going private gym seen in this town!
Located on the outer road of highway 44 and Bowles Ave ,1732 Westpark Center, Suite A, Fenton Mo., You will find "The Proving Ground" a private veteran owned gym.
When Will Mathews and Mike Glunt came together, It was definitely a meeting of the fit and sound mind. These two Armed Service Veterans came together with a vision and an extensive fitness background, along with quite the accomplished military discipline to see it all come to fruition.
The mission... "Prove Yourself! This was not going to be a cookie cutter operation!"
Co-owner, Will Matthews, 29, served active duty along with reserve, 2004-2012, While In the United States Air Force, he served in the 55th Security Forces Squadron, 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron and 375th Security Forces Squadron. He was deployed 2007-2008, Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was stationed at Offutt air force base in Nebraska. There he was trained in Security forces and law enforcement becoming the Lead Physical Trainer to U.S. , Korean, Japanese and Australian forces, instructing hand to hand combat and teaching Kickboxing as well. His status an E-4 when finishing his duty. Mr. Matthew's in 2010 became a St. Louis County Police Officer. Will Matthew’s divides his time between Instructing self defense/ mixed martial arts/Boxing in the gym and his current duty as a St. Louis county police officer.
Co-owner, Mike Glunt, 47, also served in the U.S. Marine Corps., 1987-1993, stationed outside Monterrey California. His training specialty: artillery, hand to hand combat, quick kill/bayonet instructor, as well as martial arts. His rank when leaving his position an E-6. Upon moving to St. Louis, he taught physical education K-8th at South Side Christian, Green Park School and Corner Stone Academy. His currant status is full time administrator , and Mix Martial Arts/Self Defense Instructor at The Proving Ground.
These two militant forces met in 2008 while working at the "Boxing Gym" in Arnold, Mo. Will as the gym manager and Mike as the martial arts instructor, collectively coming together as co-owners in 2013, with the idea that they could open a gym with a mesh of collaborating ideas... offering a newer concept to the plain old work out routine. Matthews and glunt felt if they specialized in fitness training, they could offer individual or a group classes based on what the client was asking and needing. It was to be a combination of martial arts, kick boxing, glove boxing, cardio strength merging with maximized physical activities, including classes in the hottest trend, Zumba!
Their goal... "A one stop shop gym where you get the personalized work outs with out ever having to step in any ring to master the training!" in connection with learning the necessary tools that would contribute to a life style conducive for a long and healthy life. It was important to them that the lessons given to each client extended outside of the gym not just within the confines of the building. As a private gym, they could give the attention and adhere to what was deemed by each individual need, unlike other gyms that have maintained rules set by corporate mandate as a whole.
With all that in mind, bringing in Jason Mounts, 29, was a no brainer. Jason a NANBF (North American Body Building Federation) competitor, placing 6 times in his standing career which started just in 2010, Jason not only was bringing in his fitness vision but his passion for strength training too. His credits not to be overlooked, certified by NASM,(National Academy Sports Medicine) and certified MMA(Mixed Martial Arts), a former certified life guard for Concordia Turners, a current private swim instructor, (CPR/AED certified), a Motivational Speaker and Fitness model to boost! Jason is the director over seeing the operations of the other personal trainers and instructs a highly successful boot camp.
Matthews and Glunt, no where near satisfied or complete with their team, they decided on hiring in Brandon Craig, 24, Certified ACE (American Council Exercise) and ISSA (International Science Sports Association). Craig, named top 500 wrestlers of America, holding 5 titles with an ongoing current active career traveling. He was brought in under the direction of Mounts. Together the two of them execute an intensive but interactive training regimen both bringing their backgrounds forefront teaching the importance of good physical strength combined with specific cardio goals in mind.
Next up, Kevin "Boom Boom" Bozada, 50, A 4 time golden glove boxing champ with title wins in 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988, also being inducted 2008 into the St. Louis Boxing Hall of Fame. His beginnings stem from under the direction of boxing trainer, Ray Kube from the renowned South Broadway Athletic Club. “Boom Boom” starting his career in his late teens began at a cruising weight rising to the momentive status of heavy weight champ. His approach, “ Whether you are a boxer or not… there is such a thing as correct form and sturdy balance… As you are learning to hit hard you gain a mindful concentration with relaxed techniques.” He currently instructs group kick boxing and glove boxing.
To round it all out they brought in Tracy Collins, 37, certified Zumba instructor. Certified in Zumba, Zumbatomic, Zumba toning and Zumba gold. She too has a background in military training, US Army Reserves, medical specialist, 1994-2000 Collins has been instructing since 2007. Her experience started at the Kirkwood Family YMCA . (She has a set schedule classes are M & W @ 5:30pm and Saturday at 9:00am) Her mantra for Zumba. "Ditch the Workout-Join the Party" Her Zumba Fitness is a program that combines Latin and International rhythms with fitness moves. Zumba routines incorporate interval training-alternating fast and slow moves. As she says, "It strengthens your heart and boosts your mood!" ***Zumba means "buzz like a bee and move fast" it is offered in 180 countries and over 15 million people are taking a class from around the world.*** She loves welcoming all newbies... and encourages any one to try her class.
The focus of this gym is to promote a work out style that not only benefits a healthy lifestyle but also one that encourages self confidence while doing it. The Proving Grounds clients have been known to lose a substanial amount of weight along with a significant amount of inches lost within a very healthy duration of time.
All trainers developing one on one relationships with their clients provide their expertise, sharing what has worked for them in obtaining their fitness and health goals. Each trainer/Instructor having the mindset “Fitness Success With A Passion for Health.”
Classes generally run an hour. Please check their website for times and for scheduled classes. http://www.theprovinggroundstl.com Also feel free to visit their Face Book page to see all the current updates and fun filled pictures of all their events and classes https://www.facebook.com/ProveYourselfSTL Special Kids Club/care is provided.
The Proving Ground is the official training site for St. Louis’ Guns and Hoses (The yearly fundraising event for police and firefighters/paramedics/EMT who have fallen or have been injured while performing their duties, providing aid to victims and their families.) The Proving Ground also participates in the Murph Challenge providing a portion of the proceeds to Lt Michael P. Murphy Scholarship Foundation. (501c3)
The Proving Ground is also a distributor for “Fit Aid” the first paleo recognized gluetin free energy supplement providing a series of beneficial vitamins and antioxidants containing no artificial sweeteners or colors at only 45 calories per can.
All of the extremely trained personal from The Proving Ground would like to invite you to try their facility FREE for a week. For more information, pricing, rates and all the exciting events please call 314-540-1193.
The Proving Ground would like to remind you…
No Contracts … No Excuses!
Prove Yourself!
So grab your gear and get ready ... Head on out 44 because there waiting is a new fitness plan with your name all over it!!! And by all means… Tell them I sent you!
Meet Me In St. Louis,
Kitryn Marie
Testimony: “ I stepped out of my comfort zone and was actually the first member at The Proving Ground. I started working out with a personal trainer and taking the variety of Cardio classes that are offered. It has been a great experience ever since I joined. My personal trainer has taught me the proper nutrition and exercises that I would have never dreamed of doing. I have been able to increase my Olympic weight lifting, learn various self-defense techniques, and gain a lot of confidence at this gym. I have also been able to lose weight and body fat. I have been able to forge some friendships with other members of the gym. It’s been a great experience at this gym. The owners and trainers have a personal interest in helping each member of the gym reach their goals. I would recommend it for everybody at any fitness level.”
Heather Hennike
