What a difference a couple of weeks can make. In any aspect of life, the unexpected can occur for better or for worse. For some, to go to the gym, it's about getting in the right mindset. You may need a person who pushes you- to kickstart your own drive. Asking for help is OK. What went wrong at CKO South Philly, I take accountability for, because, like most things in life, if you want it done, you need to take initiative, and ownership. Few people are empathic, and less are available when you need help. That's life, and reality.
This isn't a gym where seeing another exercising longer, or lifting more weight leaves you feeling low. CKO SOUTH PHILLY is kickboxing gym that "helps you achieve fitness goals and RELIEVE STRESS by TAKING IT OUT ON THE BAG"! The gym is clean, and sanitary. The staff is dedicated to ensure so. The members are as diverse as the staff. Everyone is focused, cordial, and aiming towards achieving a common goal.
A week prior to my 1st class, I received personal texts to offer assistance. The most valuable texts, occurred during the 1st week. They were UNEXPECTED, ENCOURAGING, as are words of affirmations on walls across the gym. Texts showed care, and thoughtfulness. From business and psychology standpoints, they were a smart value add, and provided a boost to my psyche, that I needed. Who knew messages would push me to drive 25 minutes over going to the gym, I never utilized, 2 floors below? The texts were ingenious marketing, and optimized fitness effectiveness- a personal touch, and market differentiator. I was HIGHLY impressed, and expressed such to the owner.
My first 2 classes were both led by Stacey- she's amazing! 1st class, "Kickboxing & Resistance", integrates kickboxing with a resistance band around your ankles along with combined revolving movements from punches, kicks, jumping jacks, squats, planks, pushups, etc.
My 2nd class with Stacey, "Kickboxing & Conditioning"- incorporated kickboxing with strength training. In addition to an assortment of punches and kicks at the bag, done in repetitions, you push/kick the bag with your hands, feet, weights, the bag, with stretching at the start and last portion of class
A class I highly recommend, especially for beginners, is CKO Technique: Skills and Drills. Ray Reese, an outstanding instructor, begins and ends with stretching, and teaches you the fundamentals of kickboxing. Repetitions of punches and kicks have you constantly in movement, raising your heart rate, and working on 2 bags. As class progresses, so does the pace, the mixture of punches, kicks, action work to the bag with your forearms, and knees, pushing the bag, rotating feet and arms. Positioning alters from in front of bags, between 2, moving from a starting place, rotating moves, right to left, and returning where you started- all continually modified repetitions. You'll kick from behind, side, and at different heights on the bags. The last portion, with lights off, is akin to the final lap of a race- shifting between bags, legs, and arms, combinations, forces change from 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 95%, called out at any moment by Ray. Speed, and changing momentum ensure a maximal workout.
The texts set a belief that the gym affords a thoughtful, and caring approach. When texts ceased, I became dejected, canceled all but 4 classes in my 1st 3 weeks. My mindset went back to where it was, prior to ever contacting the gym. My desire to attend, and renew halted. Weight that quickly shed began to come back, from no exercise. It must be routine!
What made the gym distinguished, and a unique inspiration departed abruptly. It's disappointing on many levels, no fault to any fantastic instructor. A standard was set that no longer existed. Motivation, solely, must be my own. Self-inspired in other aspects of my life, it was eye-opening. Your mental health, is as important as your physical! Both are stigmatized in society. I'll end my last 10 days a better version of myself than I began, and continue at a new gym...without expectations. What I experienced, and learned from the superb training staff, is well worth the price of admission. read more