CKO Kickboxing Clinton Hill

I’ve been a member of CKO Clinton Hill for several months. The CKO team – led by Gineen and Vlad– is so great and I really love this place. I have tried other group classes/​workouts at other gyms and was never happy with them. But everything is different at CKO – the trainers are super nice and very welcoming. They do NOT berate you or humiliate you (this has happened to me at other places like Bar Method); at CKO they want you to have a good experience. It is the friendliest and most genuine gym I have ever been to. PLUS, the workouts are great. I am always amazed that the workouts can vary so much from trainer to trainer, and each workout progresses very rapidly. You never get bored or feel like you are doing the same routine over and over again. And make no mistake, despite how nice they are, they will work you very hard and really encourage you to push yourself. But again – it is all done in a very encouraging and supportive atmosphere.
The only reason I am «docking» them a star (and it pains me to do this because I really love them!), is because I wish they had slightly more options for morning classes (they have a variety of evening sessions). In the mornings, they generally they have a really early session and then nothing until 10 am (and only the very early class on Fridays, which is odd since many people work at home on Fridays and could sneak in for a class). SO as much as I love CKO, I don’t attend as often as I would like because a 10 am class is just too late for me, most days. I so wish they had an 8:30 am or 9:00 am session, at least a few weekdays/​week. But I am sure this is costly or whatever, and I recognize they can’t please everyone!
In all, CKO Clinton Hill is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood – great workout opportunities in a supportive, friendly, fast-​paced environment. Highly recommend!

Great workout! But terrible customer service. I was injured because we didn’t stretch enough, strained my hamstring and was unable to go for a month. Then, I began to work out of town and called to cancel – just 3 days after the charge was put on my card – and they refused to cancel for another 2 months. Not cheap!!! In fact, way too expensive. I’d definitely opt for a normal (cheaper) gym membership in the future.

I seriously love this place. I have been active my entire life (played D1 soccer through college, run marathons, practice yoga, tried the cross fit thing for 18 months) and I have never had so much fun working out. Each class is so challenging and it is impossible for your body to plateau.
It is unbelievable how much stronger you will bet from the heavy-​bag combinations and all of the body weight exercises you do throughout class. It is a full body work out and actually sustainable fitness that doesn’t leave you aching and lying on your back gasping for air and gassed for the next day. Not only have I gotten stronger with the movements we do in class, it has improved my running drastically and has helped me shave minutes off my marathon which I haven’t been able to do on my own for a couple years.
This place is perfect for fitness levels of all shapes and sizes. Each trainer is great about breaking things down and showing you how to modify if needed. Everyone is extremely positive and the high energy is contagious.
Definitely come in and try a few classes– it’s a fun work out and the hour flies by. You’ll get hooked (no pun intended).

Hands down best fitness option around. Prices are fair. workouts are intense but great for every level. Free parking under the BQE. Good schedule, many classes throughout the morning/​day/​evening. Caring local/​family business — Vlad and Gineen have made a amazing community fitness spot. Highly recommended.

Between hooks, Jabs, upper cuts and round houses we’re challenged to burpees, squat jumps and planks. It is a full body workout. I signed up after my free trial.

I’ve never enjoyed working out. I am the girl who has always weaseled out of a regimen, running, or Soul Cycle classes, partly out of laziness, partly out of just not finding the right routine.
And yet, after taking Gineen’s Saturday 930am «free» trial class, I signed up for a year membership. A YEAR after one workout.
The class is hard — but you are supported by the instructors & your peers the entire time. Many reviewers below point out how friendly the community at CKO is — and it’s absolutely true. You’re encouraged the entire time. The hour goes by surprisingly fast & before you know it, you are done & feeling like a million bucks.
The beauty of the class is that you really don’t pay attention to anyone else except the bag in front of you. It’s very self-​focused & can be both physically & spiritually rewarding, depending on what you put in mentally.
Also incredibly priced compared to the various gym/​class memberships around NYC. One of the best decisions I’ve made all year.

I was in OK shape when I started here about eight months ago. I’d done P90X at home, and while it did a decent job, there weren’t any stunning changes.
But since CKO, my weight has dropped from about 210 to 185 and I’ve spent about $ 400 to tailor every pair of pants I own. Happiest I’ve ever been to spend money!
But it’s not just the results – it’s the people. I’m not exaggerating when I say that every instructor is great and brings something different to the table. If you get bored doing this workout, then you just get bored easily.
And when I say «people,» I’m including my fellow CKO kickboxers. My wife and I have already formed great friendships. In short, this workout:
1. Works.
2. Is fun.
3. Is as difficult or as easy as you want to make it: You can tailor it to fit your fitness level. You’ll never hear an instructor yell at or berate a student. Everything is positive. And even though it’s gotten me in pretty good shape now, there are things you can do to push yourself (hand weights, slight modifications to push-​ups, squats, etc.) that still have me gasping for breath every day. In short, if this ever becomes too easy, you’re either not trying hard enough, or you’re a world-​class athlete.
4. Isn’t even a little bit boring.
5. Makes the hour fly by because you’re changing exercises every 30 – 60 seconds.
6. Is pretty easy to fit into your schedule: There are Monday through Thursday classes at 6:30 am, 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm and 8 pm. (Same on Friday, but no 8 pm class and some fantastic classes on weekend mornings – 9:30 and 11.)

This joint is the best gym I’ve ever been to, and I’ve been to a few. Fabulous trainers and a truly fun and friendly atmosphere. I’ve met wonderful friends and really amped up my workouts here (in fact, I get rammy when they are closed or I can’t make it there, which isn’t often.)
Lemme tell you about the powerhouse staff. Vlad and Gineen have created such a wonderful space, and are both such great, high-​energy teachers. Jen and Nicole are badass and creative. Emmanuel challenges me and cheers me on every day.
So come on in! Say hi! Sweat with us!

I just got home from my free trial class at Cko and I am exhausted. It was awesome! Vlad was informative, incredibly positive, encouraging and kind. Its been a long time since I have kickboxed (like 15 years) so it was especially hard for me but you don’t feel bad stopping and breathing and gearing up again, you get what you put in. You’re definitely not in competition with others in the class it’s, as Vlad put it, «you and the bag». I love individual group workouts and I plan on returning on payday to sign up for the very reasonably priced monthly membership. Overall awesome non-​boring fast paced cardio!

Great, focused place to get an intense workout — I’ve been a member for a year and agree with the posts below that you need to know what it is and what it’s not before signing on. I went to two classes with different instructors before joining, and it’s been perfect for me.

I joined this gym at the end of the summer and really decided to make a full on commitment to go consistently in the past 7 – 8 weeks or so. I needed a head start on that New Year’s Resolution, but more so to create a lifestyle change. I can feel the results already in terms of inches lost, but also that I feel stronger.
It’s a no-​frills place, but once you’re there, you are going to sweat, burn, and work for a solid hour. That’s something that my former gym, with all of the brightly colored machines and DJ booth just couldn’t offer, and I got bored and unmotivated.
You can show up right before class, glove up, and get started. The classes consist of a warm-​up, stretching, cardio/​bag work/​ab work/​sometimes free weights, and cool down. The instructors are great – they’re all so positive and motivating from their routines to the music they pump. I’ve taken classes with almost all the instructors, and you push yourself and feel a different burn after each one’s class. The members are also great – people are really friendly and warm, and it’s an overall a really positive experience.
I’m looking forward to continue seeing and feeling results. It’s an amazing release after a 12 hour work day and is literally keeping me sane right now. :)

I just started going to CKO Kickboxing Clinton Hill a month ago.
I’m a fairly regular runner and did some ½ marathons for a challenge. Running is great but I really needed a full body workout.
This place is one of the best workouts I’ve ever done. It’s intense but it’s also a lot of fun. It’s very satisfying hitting a full heavy bag. I really feel I am getting the most complete workout possible and each trainer has their own approach and mixes things up so it never get’s boring.
In just one month I can see and feel a big difference. I am losing weight and tightening up. This place is 3 blocks from my house so it’s very convenient. Even if you don’t live near one, it’s well worth the trip.
Again, the workout is intense but it’s a very positive, fun and supportive environment. As much of butt kicker as it is, I crave going back for more!

As one of the 5 star reviews states, «Just know what you’re in for.»
The classes here are good, but do not join unless you have a very fixed, permanent schedule and don’t tire of the same type of workout over and over again. There is no way to cancel without a $ 250 cancellation fee before 12 months are up, unless you move more than 25 miles away or have a doctor’s note. And don’t assume that when your year is up it will auto cancel — you have to give them 30 days notice to not get hit with a 13^th month. So even though you have to give them 30 days notice, they don’t have to give you any notice to auto-​renew. It’s approx $ 85/​mo including fees and taxes.
Also, the schedule that exists when you join will change seasonally, so even if you rearrange your schedule to fit in a certain class time, there is no guarantee that class time will exist going forward.
These aren’t secrets, but it is in in 9 point font in the contract and not incredibly obvious. A lot of reviews here encourage you to take one class and join; I suggest paying closer attention and considering your options. For example, Crunch has kickboxing classes on the weekends too, and you would have more flexible hours, a cheaper monthly fee, and the option to do other things (like free weights or spinning).

CKO Clinton Hill is a great place, just know what you’re in for.
What it is: a great cardio/​core/​heavy bag workout, with almost no breaks in between. I thought I was in shape when I first came here, but the first few classes had me pretty gassed. I’ve done 9 now, and I can feel my cardio improving.
What it is not: a place to learn kickboxing/​muay thai/​self defense. They’ll give you a tutorial your first time, and instructors will sometimes help you adjust your technique during class, but this is NOT an MMA/​kickboxing/​muay thai gym. That said, I did actually get to do some pad work with one of the instructors today, and after class he helped teach me how to do a spinning hook kick, which is why this place gets 5 stars instead of 4.
I’ve been training MMA/​muay thai/​boxing for almost two years now, so I’ll go somewhere else to learn new techniques, but I’ll still come here to get a great workout. That said, if you know what you’re doing, a good heavy bag workout really can help you improve your technique-​repetition, repetition, repetition.
Most MMA/​muay thai gyms teach you a combination, have you try it for a few minutes, and then break and teach you a new one. CKO goes straight through, with almost no breaks (or at least «breaks» where you’re doing squats/​sit-​ups/​burpees, etc.). Again, I’ve been training for a while, but even I recognize that this is one of the best places to work on your cardio. I’d recommend it.

Awesome workout place!
–Great staff! Energetic, motivational, friendly, neighborhood folks. They genuinely care about the members, chit chat with everybody, and offer great advice.
–Intense workouts that can be tailored to your ability. High intensity training is proven to burn more fat and calories. Throughout the workout, you get bursts of intensity, with short breaks to catch your breath, and then you’re back in it! Trainers Gineen and Nicole are beasts!
–Great class sizes.
–Air conditioned for the upcoming summer days
–Very efficient use of my time. I used to spend an hour in a regular gym and never sweat the way I do at CKO. The 1 hr class goes by surprisingly quick, but you’ll be exhausted at the end!
–Punching a heavy bag is a great stress reliever, builds muscle, and give your body some feedback, rather than shadow boxing.
–Fantastic ab and core routine at the end of each workout!
Some tips before you begin:
— Watch your footwork when you kick; it’s easy to turn an ankle if you don’t pivot your feet properly.
–Work on your form first. The power and speed will come later as you improve.
I signed up for a membership right after my first intro class. They have great prices on handwraps so I picked up a pair of those and some gloves too.
It’s a wonderful addition to the Fort Green/​Clinton Hill nabe. We were missing a good place to workout and I’m glad I found CKO.

This is by far the best workout place. Not only do you get an amazing workout, but everyone is super nice the members, staff and the owners. I look forward to my workouts. You don’t feel like you are going to the average gym, you almost feel like you are going to workout with all your friends. Gineen is super nice and so caring about everyone. She takes time to talk with all members to make sure they are happy. She also kicks your butt in the workouts.
I usually get bored with workouts and i been here since December and never bored. I also see how much stronger i have gotten and leaner.
Its totally worth it, you have to try it for yourself.

I have been using Unilocal for a very long time now and have never ever written a review. But after being a member of this gym for about 3 months now and getting to know the two owners and their staff I felt compelled to write a stellar review.
So here are the quick points.
— This place is awesome. I have yet to go to any gym or even business for that matter where the people who run and own it care so deeply about their patrons. They are true believers of the workout and push everyone with the right amount of «no pain no gain attitude» and good old positive reinforcement.
— Gineen (one of the owners) is a badass. She teaches the hardest class but you feel stellar afterwards. She couldn’t be nicer but she pushes you for your workout.
— The music is great and gets you going.
— I was a newbie. I had never done anything even remotely close to kickboxing, but the staff and even other members have created an atmosphere where it doesn’t matter. The classes run the gamut of people with different experience levels and I have never felt uncomfortable.
— My schedule is all over the place but they have enough classes that I can always find one that works for me.
— Honestly, just take a free class and join.
I guess that’s it. Since I have joined I feel better and I could not be happier. It’s a great group of people and I am always excited to go.

AWESOME! This place is an amazing addition to the neighborhood. Even if you live a ways away, parking is really easy under the BQE. The instructors are top-​noch and make every workout fun and challenging. Great for any level — who doesn’t want to kick the crap out of something after a long day!

Wham bam. thank you ma’am. Loved our first class. so much. that hubby and I signed up for an annual membership immediately following. There is literally nothing wrong with this workout. I don’t see the possibility of plateuing because you could just raise your own intensity as you get stronger. The music was great, the instructor was fun and very good at what she does and I left sweaty and sore. What else do you want?

If you are looking to get fit, CKO Kickboxing in Clinton Hill is the place to be. The instructors are awesome, encouraging and very supportive. In a one hour class you will perform a total body workout that will tone your body like no other workout. The combinations are intense, the music is pumping and the atmosphere is so much fun and energizing. Be prepared to work up a sweat and burn tons of calories. Trust me, you will start to see results in no time. Commit yourself to a healthier you, your body will love and thank you for it!