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

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.

**********

Have you ever taken a kickboxing class? What’s your favorite fitness class to take?