WHILE SOME PEOPLE FIND PEACE by focusing on their breathing and thinking about the state of their spine, others prefer to release tension in another way: by punching the heck out a heavy bag that never did anything to them.

Hence, it's not just yoga studios that are popping up on every corner. Boxing is seeing a surge, too, largely thanks to the chain L.A. Boxing (Laboxing.com), which has its sites set on the D.C. region. There are already five locations either open or opening later this summer in Virginia. (And the company promises D.C. and Maryland branches are forthcoming.)

At the three-month-old Arlington location (1200 N. Herndon St.; 703-525-4269), general manager Justin Ridgeway (who boasts two world titles) says the concept allows anyone to experience training like a pro fighter. In group classes, each person gets his or her own 150-pound bag to pummel. To make the experience feel more legit, boxing sessions are broken into five three-minute rounds with one-minute breaks.

And if they want to train mixed-martial arts style, there's a caged-off area for grappling, too. "In a ring, you hit the ropes, and that's very different from a cage," Ridgeway helpfully explains, while pressing a reporter into the chain link to demonstrate his point.

The newest franchise opens Aug. 9
in Alexandria (528 N. Henry St.; 703-548-4269). Better get ready to beat up some bags.

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