BY MAUREEN WERTHER<\/p>\n
Those who think kickboxing is an activity
\nopen only to the fittest and most limber
\nathletes may want to think again.<\/p>\n
A new business, iLoveKickboxing, opened
\nin earlier this year at Clifton Park Center, next
\ndoor to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
\nIts owners said its ever-growing membership
\nroster includes people from all walks of life,
\nall fitness levels and all ages.
\nThe iLoveKickboxing business is a franchise
\nbased in Merrick, N.Y., that has affiliates all
\nover the country.<\/p>\n
Owners Teresa and Pete Peck are both
\nmartial artists who have been in the industry
\nfor about 30 years. They were drawn to the
\nphilosophy of the iLoveKickboxing business
\nmodel and the sport’s ability to provide a new,
\nchallenging and fun alternative to the more
\ntraditional gyms and exercise regimens.<\/p>\n
“It’s all about providing a welcoming, non-intimidating
\nenvironment for people to come
\nand achieve their fitness goals,” said Teresa
\nPeck. She noted that many people, particularly
\nwomen, are intimidated by martial arts and
\nhesitant to join karate or other types of martial
\narts class. But at iLoveKickboxing, there is
\nnone of that intimidation and everyone can
\nfeel comfortable and welcome.<\/p>\n
“There are no mirrors. It’s bright, clean,
\nsafe, and friendly,” said Pete Peck. “And more
\nimportantly, its fun.”<\/p>\n
According to the Pecks, people enroll in a
\nkickboxing program for a number of reasons,
\nranging from seeking a new challenge, to losing
\na few inches, or to feel more in control of their
\nsurroundings and more able to take care of
\nthemselves. Regardless of the reasons for
\njoining, members quickly become addicted to
\nthe high energy of the group classes as 15-20
\npeople kick the bag in unison to the pulse of
\nhigh-energy music.<\/p>\n
Beginning students have their own private
\ninstructor at their first class, who breaks down
\nthe “bag fundamentals” and helps the student
\nbecome acclimated to the activity. Teresa Peck
\nsaid members who commit to training three
\ntimes a week will see the best results.<\/p>\n
However, they offer packages ranging from a
\nfew classes a month to a full year of unlimited
\nclasses. She said members who commit to the
\ntraining will likely see significant increases
\nin strength, agility, and flexibility by the end
\nof the first three weeks.
\nThey also offer a trial package for $20. It
\nincludes three classes, plus a free pair of gloves
\nvalued at $45.<\/p>\n
The Clifton Park facility boasts seven
\ntrained instructors, half of whom are also
\ncertified personal trainers. As part of the
\niLoveKickboxing program, they are required
\nto attend an iLoveKickboxing “boot camp”
\nthree times a year, where they are subjected
\nto an intensive training regimen and learn the
\nlatest techniques to bring back to students.<\/p>\n
The training area is an 1,800-square-foot
\nspace with a one-and-a-half-inch martial arts
\nmat that makes training easy on the joints. As
\nmany as 40 people and vertical bags can fit on
\nthe mat for any given class. The average class
\nsize is between 12 and 20 people.<\/p>\n
Movements can be modified in either
\ndirection, to accommodate those with a
\nvariety of health or joint issues, as well as
\nthose looking for a higher level of intensity
\nin their workouts.<\/p>\n
Classes are conducted as early as 6 a.m.
\nand as late as 7:45 p.m. to accommodate busy
\nschedules.
\nThe Pecks pride themselves on delivering
\nthe best customer service experience in the
\n“cleanest facility around.”<\/p>\n
For more information, call 630-6280 or visit
\nwww.ilovekickboxingcliftonparkny.com.<\/p>\n
Photo Courtesy iLoveKickboxing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This 1,800-square-foot space with its numerous vertical bags is where staff at iLoveKickboxing in Clifton Park lead customers from all walks of life and all ages through fitness workouts.BY MAUREEN WERTHER Those who think kickboxing is an activity open…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[61,71,98],"class_list":["post-17790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-new-businesses","tag-clifton-park","tag-fitness","tag-new-businesses"],"yoast_head":"\r\n