As Travis Doerge prepares to end his pro fighting career in the ring, he is about to begin a new one as a fitness trainer in the gym.
It’s a natural step for the well-sculpted, 185-pound mixed martial artist (MMA) and kickboxing champion who recently opened up a small fitness center in Kent called All Fitness.
“I want to continue fighting, train for that one big fight before I’m done,” said Doerge, who just turned 40. “Then I want to turn to teaching and training.”
“The Praying Mantis” has made more than 25 kickboxing fights and 16 MMA bouts, capturing world rankings and several belts along the way in a 20-year career. He has fought throughout North America, having learned the craft from such greats as Maurice Smith, a kickboxing champion and former UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) heavyweight title holder, and Dennis Hallman, an MMA standout known best for his expertise as a grappler.
Well versed in many disciplines, including Muay Thai kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Doerge blends those inside-the-ring skills with regular fitness training programs commonly found in most gyms today.
More fitness centers are combining aspects of mixed martial arts, boxing and wrestling with fundamental weight lifting and cardio regiments to improve all-around strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.
As a personal fitness trainer, Doerge understands how a cross-fit approach can do a body good.
“It burns so many calories. It works your core because you’re twisting a lot on every punch, every kick,” he said. “You’re using your whole body, you’re not just isolating body parts, so you get strong and in good condition. It’s an all-around good way to get in shape.”
While Doerge looks the part of a seasoned fighter, his gym offers more than just sparring and kickboxing. It is replete with free weights, machine weights and cardio equipment.
“A lot of people are intimidated to walk through in the door because they think you’ve got to be a fighter to do it when it’s not the case,” said Doerge, who was born in Olympia and grew up in Washington and Arizona.
Doerge tailors workouts to fit an individual’s needs, young or old. Some customers come for simple exercise, others for lessons in self-defense.
He does one-on-one and group sessions. He also coaches anyone who wants to compete on his Six Feet Under MMA Fight Team.
Having performed as a fighter and trained other professionals, including former Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill, for other gym owners in the Seattle area for years, Doerge said he was ready to run his own show. He is excited about the possibilities at his Kent spot.
“I’m trying to be a little different. I want people taking classes for the cardio … not just jumping on a treadmill … because you can burn more calories.”
One of Doerge’s happy customers is a competitive 60-year-old man.
“He trains in kickboxing. It’s helped him tremendously,” Doerge said. “He loves it. … He’s a gamer.”
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All Fitness
• Location: 21028 84th Ave. S., Kent
• Owner: Travis Doerge, professional fighter and trainer
• Specializing: Individual and group fitness training, including weights, cardio, boot camps, mixed martial arts, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai kickboxing, non-contact kickboxing
• Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday
• Phone: 253-229-0852
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