Gym takes boxing way beyond the ring
Located in the historic Rondo neighborhood, Element Gym provides many a path toward a healthier lifestyle. Founded by Dalton Outlaw in 2011, It began as a response to the closing of boxing gyms in the area, particularly in a neighborhood that had seen its fair share of gentrification and displacement.
Today, the gym is far more than just a boxing gym. It offers a range of fitness programs designed to serve people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
Outlaw’s early boxing years were spent at BT Bombers Boxing Club, founded by Clem Tucker Sr. in 1989, where he first learned the importance of community in sports. Inspired by his former coach, Outlaw was driven to establish his own gym for his community.
“I opened Element Gym to make sure we didn’t lose boxing as a resource in St. Paul,” he said. In the years since, the gym has grown into a multifaceted fitness center.
Outlaw’s background as a boxer shapes his approach to training and community engagement. Yet, as his business expanded, Outlaw deliberately shifted away from focusing solely on personal achievement.
“I stopped focusing on being the best in the world and directed all my energy into being the best for my community,” he said. This commitment to the people in St. Paul has been central to Element Gym’s success and appeal.
In addition to its fitness programs, Element Gym is deeply invested in promoting health equity. Through the Element Foundation, the gym provides scholarships for individuals who might not otherwise be able to afford the membership cost.
“I built an equity model that balances out costs among those in our community. I charge fairly for those who can afford it and offset costs for those who can’t,” Outlaw said. That model allows Element Gym to serve a diverse population while staying true to its mission of providing opportunities for everyone.
Since partnering with YWCA in 2023, Element Gym has expanded its resources to include a more accessible program, maintaining Outlaw’s focus on making fitness accessible to underserved communities. YWCA St. Paul is a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting justice for all.
“Collaborating with YWCA enabled me to provide more to our community,” Outlaw said, noting that the partnership has amplified the gym’s ability to reach even more people. YWCA St. Paul serves as the Element Foundation’s philanthropic arm, helping funnel resources into community programs and scholarship opportunities.
One of the key pillars of Element Gym is its inclusive, community-driven approach to fitness. Outlaw is adamant that boxing — and fitness in general — is for everyone. The gym offers programs for people of all ages, including children as young as 4. He offers a fundamental program for children named the School of Boxing.
Element Gym welcomes and accommodates individuals with various physical and cognitive abilities. The gym partners with organizations like Rock Steady Boxing to offer specialized programs for those with Parkinson’s disease and Down syndrome.
“We are certified to work with individuals with Parkinson’s. They can come to exercise, learn a new skill, and slow the progression of the disease.” Outlaw added, “It’s not a healing agent, but it’s a healthy support effort and an outlet.”
Element Gym’s “adaptive boxing” provides people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in exercise programs and boxing classes. “We always adapt our classes to be tailored to any skill level. You don’t have to be a professional to participate and get a good workout,” Outlaw said.
Through its broad offerings, Element Gym has created a space where fitness is about more than just physical prowess; it includes building community, fostering personal growth, and overcoming life’s challenges.
Outlaw’s work with local nonprofits, schools, and organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities reflects his commitment to giving back. “Success for me is watching people come in, work hard, and leave with that same energy,” he said. “The transformation I’ve seen kids go through here is inspirational. My work ethic isn’t driven by profit.
“Boxing is for everybody,” Outlaw said. “It can help individuals through various phases of life. It’s a way to build confidence and strength while developing an understanding of how you can overcome any challenge if you put your mind to it.”
Element Gym is at 375 Selby Ave. in St. Paul, 888-415-6626 find out more at https://elementgym.org/
Alexzia Shobe welcomes reader responses to ashobe@spokesman-recorder.com.