By Christine Graf
Greenfield residents Steve and Katie Kissinger have opened 30 Minute Hit, a women’s only kickboxing fitness studio at 3 Hampstead Place, Suite 104A, in Saratoga Springs.
Founded in 2004, 30 Minute Hit has approximately 100 locations throughout Canada and the United States. The couple made the decision to become franchisees after working with a business coach.
“She introduced us to several difference businesses, and I spent the better part of six months going through the discovery process on each,” said Steve Kissinger. “This was the one we landed on for many different reasons. We saw a gap in the market in Saratoga and the Capital Region in general for something like this.”
In addition to owning the fitness studio, Katie works as a nurse practitioner and Steve works in the energy sector. He is also a certified trainer at 30 Minute Hit.
According to Kissinger, “30 Minute Hit is a kickboxing, self-defense-inspired, circuit workout. It’s a high-intensity interval workout that only takes 30 minutes. Each station has a different type of boxing or self-defense exercise.”
When performing the circuit, women spend two minutes at each station. The workout is designed for women of all ages and fitness levels, and because there are also no class times, workouts do not need to be scheduled in advance.
“If we are open, you can come in any time you want,” said Kissinger. “People really love that the workout is only 30 minutes and that you don’t have to schedule a class time.”
Although the stations don’t change, there are three levels at each station. Kissinger said that members start at level 1 and have the option to progress to levels 2 and 3.
“If you have injuries or are limited in your motion for certain exercises, we can modify to meet your needs. There are also variations on each level. The variations are more technical—maybe you are combining a punching and kicking combo into one exercise. There are something like 15 million different combinations of the circuit,” he said.
The workout burns an average of about 500 calories, and maximum results are obtained by performing it two to three times a week. No previous kickboxing experience is required.
“People are always nervous when they walk in the door for the first time,” said Kissinger. “But, this a no judgement type of place. Everybody feels comfortable to come in and better themselves. We are there answer questions and motivate, but we never push someone beyond their limits or make them feel uncomfortable. It’s your own workout.”
30 Minute Hit also has a gated children’s area that is visible from all circuits. Because there are no childcare workers on staff, it is intended for children who are old enough to entertain themselves while their mothers work out.
By taking advantage of 30 Minute Hit’s free trial, prospective members can schedule an appointment with one of the facility’s certified trainers. During that time, they are guided through the entire circuit.
“We teach you the basics,” said Kissinger. “We teach the proper fight stance and make sure that people aren’t throwing a punch in a way that they are going to hurt themselves. 30 Minute Hit has a very low injury rate which has been proven. The first aspect is always safety, and the second aspect is fun, and the third aspect is technique. We’re always working on all three.”
Although the Saratoga Springs location has been open for just a short time, Kissinger said they haven’t ruled out opening another location. They own the franchise rights to the Albany/Northway area corridor.
30 Minute Hit is open from 8 a.m. to noon on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. They are open from Monday through Thursday from 4-8 p.m. The facility is closed on Sundays.
To sign up for a free trial, visit 30minutehit.com and select Saratoga Springs as the location.