YBFREE.comIn Pursuit of Human Interests
| YBFREE.com In Pursuit of Human Interests |
Archives | BLOG | Auctions | Shoppe | Message Board | Company Info | Search |
They get thrown from one side of the ring to another. They get slammed to the mat, punched in the face and chopped across the chest. Their legs are twisted, their arms are stretched and their body is put to the test. This is just another day at the office for professional wrestlers like The Rock, Steve Austin, Rob Van Dam, The Boogie Knights, Loki and more. Some people just marvel at how much pain these wrestlers put their body through. Strangely, some people admire these stars and can't wait to step in the ring just like their heroes.
A year ago, the Northeast Wrestling Independent Promotion, known for the many wrestling shows they have put on in The Bronx, New York City, opened a training facility on 436 Westchester Avenue in the good ol' Boogie Down. In the approximately 3,000 square foot facility students learn the art of grappling and sports entertainment. Open six days a week, Lagerstrom takes what he has learned over the past decade and educates a variety of students ranging in age from 17 to 39. The gym comes complete with a full sized ring, showers, high ceilings, and professional wrestlers as trainers, there is something for every aspiring star to enjoy, especially at only $10 a workout.
"We're the only wrestling gym in the Bronx," said Lagerstrom, who is from the South Bronx. "It is convenient for a lot of people in the area looking to become wrestlers. I love training kids in the Bronx and I believe this has become a very good institution for the community."
Lagerstrom believes his gym is very affordable to people in and out of the South Bronx. While the gym is open six days a week, he encourages his students to train for only three of those days to avoid strain on the body. According to the trainer, those three days alone give the students something they do not get in school or on the streets.
"It is important that there is an outlet for physical education in the Bronx," he said. "There are so many physical education programs that have been cut from high school. Students get to come here after school and get some good exercise. It also keeps them off the streets and out of trouble."
Julio Valladez a native of The Bronx has just recently returned from Puerto Rico where he wrestled for several major promotions. This overseas star agrees with Lagerstrom and comes to the gym in an effort to train the students and teach them more than just wrestling holds. "There are young kids on the street that can really benefit from this," he said. "It gives them an opportunity to train, learn self discipline and trust."
Jason Fernandez, of Prospect Avenue believes trust above all else, is one of the most important aspects of wrestling. "You have to trust the people you are working with," he said. "You have to be together. You have to think what they think. There is no way in hell I can lift these guys up in real life. You have to work together to accomplish this."
Fernandez then gets in the ring for a session with Valladez, where he is tossed, stomped on, slammed around and twisted. Valladez is tough, but fair with Lagerstrom's students, even letting