Kickboxing Gym Comparison

I have only been to three (3) Kickboxing gyms.  I attended my first kickboxing gym for six (6) months because there was a money back guarantee.  I kept going consistently for six (6) months because I wanted to ensure I got my money back not because I got a good workout or because they taught well.  I never got my money back and I never liked their classes anyways so I am not going to talk about that gym at all.  It was a waste of my time and money.

Keep in mind that I was never obese so my review of gyms will be drastically different from someone who has never been active their entire life.  I was an active child, I became inactive because I became an "adult".

One of the first thing that a staff at a gym might ask a potential member would be something along the line of "what do you want to get out of your time spent at our gym".  If I was a gym owner, I wouldn't want someone training at my gym who doesn't know what he/she wants.  In other words, that person has no goals and you will have to give them a goal.  I am about to go into a long tangent about this kind of "no goal at the gym" person so please re-visit this blog on a DreamyThursday, where I will write about such person.

For myself, I started going to the gym regularly because I wanted to exercise again.  I stayed as a member because the gym has everything I needed and the gym introduce new things to members from time to time.  I believe the things that make it to my gym are carefully selected.  Some equipment and movements are present at almost every gym because those are the basics.  More members means more people, more people means more differences.  That's why at my gym, there is a variety of equipment, programs and studios.  I enjoy training outside a lot but you cannot train outside all the time.  You also need a place to clean up after if you ventured too far away from home.

My point is, if you feel heavy (or you don't feel light on your feet), you need to train with a professional.  This could be a personal trainer or a fitness class instructor.  You can train with a friend, once you have reached your friend's level or went beyond your friend's level.  You don't want to encroach on someone's "personal" time.  A professional should be able to answer all of your questions and address any of your concerns, don't expect your friend to have the answers.

Today, I am going to compare Hers Kickboxing and 9 Rounds both located in Markham.   I have attended the free one (1) visit trial at both gyms and that is my only exposure to both gyms.  The two gyms are completely different.  I am writing my review or comparison from memory.

Hers Kickboxing provides members with instructor-led classes and each person gets a dummy. In my visit, I was really impressed with the instructor and I enjoyed hitting the dummy very much.  The instructor had really good forms and I bet you can learn a lot from her.  During the class, the instructor will first show you what you are supposed to do and then you practice with the dummy for a specified time period.  The instructor may correct your form if you are doing it incorrectly or teach you a more advanced movement.  Anyways, students are faced away from each other, the only thing they are seeing during their practice is the dummy.  I was able to hit the dummy as hard as I wanted because it was a DUMMY.  The funny thing was, before class started I placed my hand on the dummy's shoulder and smiled while facing the mirror.  I thought it would make such a great picture, me with my hand on of the shoulder of the dummy.  We looked like we were best friends.  Unfortunately for the dummy, I will be hitting and kicking it for an hour.  The dummy taught me a lot too, if I were to get into a fight with a man of the dummy's size, I would lose.  One hit from the dummy and I am gone.  Needless to say, I had a lot of fun at Hers Kickboxing.  They even gave me a small warm towel before I left.

In summary, group classes at Hers Kickboxing are 45 to 60 minutes long.  The one (1) class I attended had an instructor showing us movements to do for short periods of time so you are practicing maybe 5 to 10 moves on a dummy during classes.

9 Rounds Kickboxing.  The training is in its name.  They provide you with 9 rounds of training or 9 training stations.  At each station, you complete a three (3) minutes training exercise.  The training moves are kickboxing inspired.  The entire workout is only thirty (30) minutes.  A personal trainer will be there the whole time to guide you through your thirty (30) minutes training.  My experience with 9 Rounds was pleasant and it was fun but it didn't feel that different from my current gym.  It's there to get you moving but don't expect to learn how to kickbox.

Both Kickboxing gyms will give you a good workout. I am currently in pretty decent shape so if I am unable to complete a workout, it means something is wrong.  It makes sense if I am 500 lbs and I am huffing and puffing after station one (1) and maybe I'll collapse by station five (5).

I guess I prefer the dummy because hitting the face is different from hitting the body. You can go outside and hit a tree and hurt your hand. The Tree is not moving.

If I have to pick, I would pick Hers Kickboxing over 9 rounds because it's closer to what I am looking for.  It does provide something different than my current gym but I can see why 9 rounds is very popular in the states.  It's just not right for me.