Guess what I did yesterday? The title may have given it away…
That’s right, I took on my first ever kickboxing class at the new UFC Gym in the Financial District.
Someone from the gym recently reached out and asked if I’d like to try a class. I’m always down to try something new (especially since I’ve recently gotten back into fitness), so I took the noon class along with Monica as my guest.
Jeanene was our instructor, and she kicked our butts, to say the least. Since I had never taken a kickboxing class, I was definitely a little intimidated at first. But everything was actually really straightforward and easy to follow along. What wasn’t easy, though, was how seriously intense the class was. I was a sweaty mess! In a good way.
The 60-minute class included a warm up of calisthenics, followed by a series of different kickboxing routines (with random spurts of running and jumping jacks in between). We ended with some ab work and stretching, for what turned out to be a great full-body workout.
Before I thought that fitness classes weren’t really my thing, but I really loved this one. I never push myself that hard when I’m working out by myself, so I loved the motivating factor of having an instructor and other people in the class alongside me.
After the class we took a tour of the rest of the gym, which was complete with cardio machines, a lifting area, and a boxing ring. They had things I’ve never seen before in a gym, like the club Monica is holding above, massive gorilla kettlebells, and more things you’d expect to only see in a UFC gym. We didn’t work out with any of those things…yet 😉
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I was really pleasantly surprised by the UFC Gym. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be full of all UFC-esque guys, but it wasn’t at all. The gym is suitable and great for everyone, as was the class itself. I would definitely go back again.
After the class, Monica and I headed to one of our favorite lunch spots, Westville. We both got turkey chili and split four market veggie sides. Hit. the. spot!
Then we ran some errands and enjoyed a 2(ish) mile walk home, for what turned out to be a perfect Wednesday.
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Have you ever taken a kickboxing class? What’s your favorite fitness class to take?
Looks like so much fun!!! I want to take a kickboxing class!
Those market veggies look great! An ideal treat.
How fun, I always mean to try kickboxing! I’m a bikram yoga girl, but I recently took a “Lagree Fitness” class and it was amazing-kind of like reformer pilates but I think it’s supposed to be more intense.
That class does sound like fun :)I don’t usually like fitness classes either, but my favorite is ‘Powerstrike’ which is at Equinox. It’s a combo of kickboxing and cardio.
Hey Gracie! I absolutely LOVE your blog. I guess you could say I am currently living vicariously through your postings. I plan to move to New York City next fall and I have my own blog about it. I would love if you or anybody else would check it out. I promise, I am not trying to spam 🙂 I just want to get my postings out there and see if anyone else has the same love for New York City as me. Thanks!
~Alexandra Good, CityDreams.blog.com
(Complete and eternal big apple lover)
Love kickboxing! Gets all the aggression out!
Katie says
Love this, I have always wanted to try a kickboxing class 🙂
http://forevertwntysomething.wordpress.com/
Kickboxing is so hardcore. I’m not sure if I could handle it haha
That sounds like a fun class! And yummmm I want those sides!
I used to do kickboxing regularly with my best friend- it was awesome! I always felt so empowered after beating on a bag for an hour…like hey! I am in charge and can totally protect myself!
keith says
I salute! I’d never been into a kickboxing class..
keith says
was it really fine at all?
I have never take a kickboxing class, but it looks like so much fun. I would love to use a punching bag.