iLoveKickboxing.com

So I’ve been needing to get back to the gym for a long time. (… a long long freaking time) I go here and there between parenting and working, but I needed something new to try and keep me motivated, to go to steadily. I’d been seeing this
pop up in my newsfeed and hearing about it around town from some of the ladies I go to the YMCA with, so I thought i’d give it a try. My girlfriends mentioned if you hit up their webpage you could try a starter combo of five classes and a set of boxing gloves for thirty bucks. Since this gym is a pretty penny to sign up with regularly, I definitely wanted to try it out before signing a contact and committing.
I signed up for the practice package, and took my first class on Saturday morning, and took my second class this morning at 9am. I have thoroughly enjoyed my classes, today more so because I got to participate in the full class.
my positives takeaways:
On your first day they’ll put you 1:1 or 1:2 with an instructor to learn form and how to hit the bag– makes sense so you don’t injure yourself! I took Turbo Kick for several years so I already knew the «punches» and «kicks» but had never really hit anything other than air. So for me I had to learn how to angle my hands the correct way, block my face and kick with the shin of my leg, rather than my foot. The instructors I’ve had both today and Saturday came around and were very helpful in helping my fix my form. One of the instructors today also wore a body bag (?) I think he called it and we punched and kicked him. «YOU WANT ME TO WHAT?!» I asked? «What if I kick you in the crotch?!» Luckily my aim wasn’t too terrible and he was super encouraging so it was actually really fun! My arms and chest hurt SO bad already, in a good way. The gym is really close to my house. There are tons of class times, with the exception of Fridays and Sundays, and the classes that I attended had plenty of room, with extra bags left over. There is a super plush ladies locker room, with hair ties, deodorants, body spray, feminine products, etc. The mat seems clean, especially when you consider the fact that you must go barefoot. None of the workout equipment is torn up its all super nice, and new and in good condition.
my things to consider:
Since I still have three classes to go, I want to wait until the end of my trail period before I sign up as a full time member to make sure I really… really… not like, but LOVE it. Mostly because its a costly investment. The memberships start at something like $ 135 a month for unlimited access. I love the fact that it is unlimited though! I can tell that there are instructors I mesh super well with, and ones that don’t really fit my fitness personality. I am a suburban born and raised woman, and the scariest thing thats ever happened to me is someone breaking into my car, okay? (HA!) — and some of the instructors were a little rough around the edges for me. I like peppy and loud encouragement but I don’t like people yelling directly AT me. I’ve been getting to know the other gym members and asking how they enjoy their membership before I make a commitment.
So far everyone really loves it, and so do I.

I really WANTED to love this place, but it fell short of expectations for me. Here’s why:
Pros: it’s fun, I like using a real bag VS group fitness classes like body combat where you punch the air
Cons: it is priced like a «boutique» gym, but you don’t get the boutique atmosphere:
*The instructors drop the F bomb, which I think is intended to create a «real boxing gym» feel, but we’re in the middle of suburbia and the class is 85% women. No amount of cursing is going to make it a real boxing gym and most of us don’t want to be cussed at.
*The instructors don’t have microphones and because of the bags you sometimes cannot see them or make out what it is that they are saying.
*The classes get over crowded and you not only have to share a punching bag, but space is so limited that it becomes difficult to do kicks Etc without risking hitting your neighbor. This could be remedied by having students sign up for class with an app. Right now, it’s just a free for all and an unlimited amount of people can show up.
* it’s all cardio, which is ok EXCEPT that it is so expensive and you have to have a membership somewhere else if you ever want to get some weight training in.
I am an Orange a Theory member, but was looking to supplement that with something totally different. In the end, I will be upgrading my Orange theory membership to unlimited rather than signing up at Ilkb. Otf has microphones, Lysol wipes for cleaning, an app to prevent class overcrowding, cardio AND weight training, and they never use fowl language. If I’m going to pay Boutique prices, their offering is much better.

Ghetto enviroment. Instructors are lost. Vulgar language. Too expensive. Mandatory 1 year or 6 month contract. No cancellations. Same repetitive class. no shoes or socks used. Peoples sweat all over your feet. Not very sanitary. If you keep your socks on you cant do the exercises because you slip. Didnt like it.
Update: then they have people write you after posting your review to say stuff to you.

One of the best workout I ever tried! The energetic instructors are super friendly, supportive and encouraging they will motivate you to keep going and meet your goals The gym is very clean, the workout is really intense,“Killer workout! I am so pumped I can’t wait to attend my next class If you haven’t attended, you’re missing out. Try this gym once and you will be addicted!