Archive for the ‘Kickboxing’ Category

Kickboxing is a perfect fitness routine for just about everyone no matter their gender, age or fitness level. A kickboxing fitness routine works out your entire body, which helps you burn fat quickly and tone your entire body. You will leave your workout feeling empowered, confident and a little less stressed. Your mind, body and heart will all be thanking you for it afterward. Here is a list of some of my favorite benefits of kickboxing.

  • A good fit for all. Kickboxing is a great fitness routine for everyone. It does not discriminate. You can be old or young, a man or woman, an experienced athlete or a fitness newbie; it does not matter. Everyone can easily benefit from this workout, and all are encouraged to try it.

  • Easily adaptable. A kickboxing fitness routine can be easily adapted to fit your needs and fitness level. You start with a trainer to learn the basic moves and finally progress into easily flowing with these movements. Eventually, you will add more complex moves at a higher speed and adding in some extra weight. This makes it easy to start your kickboxing routine and then progress to different levels.

  • Excellent at burning calories and melting fat. Most people burn an average of 500 calories per hour performing this intense fitness routine, and the more effort you put into your routine the higher that number could be. This all adds up to quickly shedding that excess fat and achieving your weight loss goals in no time.

  • Tones your entire body. You workout your entire body during a normal kickboxing fitness routine. You will work on your arms, shoulders, legs and core simultaneously giving you the best results you have ever seen. This workout will give you an evenly toned and sculpted body that you feel proud to flaunt.

  • Relieves stress. Not only does kickboxing release endorphins, like every other form of exercise, it also gives you the chance to release some extra frustration in a healthy way. You can kick and punch your way to releasing that pent up aggression you may be experiencing. How many other workouts give you the chance to imagine beating up your archenemy?

  • Improves balance and coordination. All of those supposedly impossible moves that you thought were impossible to do, well guess what after a while of practicing them over and over you have finally mastered them. This hard work will give you an improved sense of balance and coordination that can easily benefit you in your everyday routine. You may begin to notice that you are not as clumsy and move a little more gracefully.

  • Improves endurance. All those intense workout sessions at the gym are starting to pay off. You notice that you are not as tired as you were before or as out of breath as you usually are. You may have even started adding some extra time to your workout. These little things will let you know that you have improved your endurance.

  • Builds confidence. Kickboxing will teach you moves that will have you feeling more confident, but there are many more aspects of kickboxing that can build your confidence, such as having a healthy and toned body you are proud of, achieving your fitness goals and having a healthier lifestyle.

  • Fun. Kickboxing is fun and fast paced. You get to learn something new and work on your body at the same time. You can crank up the music and start attacking those heavy bags, practice with a partner and throw some medicine balls and kettle bells around. The best thing is that you do not have to do the same old routine everyday. You can switch up your movements in kickboxing making it easy to stave off boredom and remain more engaged in your workout.

With all of these amazing benefits, it is easy to see why kickboxing has become one of the most popular fitness routines out there today. So, why not find a local 9Round near you and try out their fitness routine? You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain, so stop by our website and find a gym near you.

– See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/why-you-should-try-kickboxing/

Most people may ask, what is the difference between kickboxing and cardio kickboxing? The main difference is cardio kickboxing is basically an aerobics class that incorporates some kicks and punches. It does not use any heavy bags or sparring with another participant. Cardio kickboxing has gained popularity in the last few years, and women, especially, seem to be flocking to these types of fitness classes. They find it fun and enjoy getting their heart rate up while listening to some upbeat music. However, are they getting all the benefits that they could have if they were truly kickboxing?

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A more complete workout

While cardio kickboxing can get your heart pumping improving your cardiovascular health, there are many components it is missing. It is important to improve your cardiovascular health, and kickboxing also does this. In addition, kickboxing has a countless number of different drills that can work your body much harder than air punches or kicks ever could. Hitting pads, working heavy bags, and drills that focus on coordination are just a few tools in a kickboxing fitness routine that can help you achieve benefits that you cannot obtain from cardio kickboxing. You should begin to see improvements in your endurance, strength, speed, agility, coordination and balance to name a few. Cardio kickboxing may be able to claim a few of these benefits but definitely not all of them and certainly not to the degree that a true kickboxing class can.

 

More focus on technique

Many cardio kickboxing instructors are trained to be personal trainers, and they may not be an educated martial arts instructor. This is not to say that all of them are without martial arts experience, but there are many who aren’t qualified to be teaching martial arts. This means you are basically getting an aerobics class with added kicks and punches that may not be up to par. There are many cardio kickboxing classes out there stating that they oversee how each of their students perform techniques to ensure a workout that is free of injuries; however, many of the instructors happen to be performing techniques in improper ways that may cause you to put stress on weak areas of the body, such as the elbows, shoulders, or knees. This can inevitably lead to an injury. Yet, these are the people who are overseeing our technique?

 

Self defense

There seems to be so confusion among many cardio kickboxing participants that think that what they do might have some kind of practical application in a real life self defense situation. They may feel that since they are learning kicks and punches from a cardio kickboxing instructor that they will have an upper hand in any type of dangerous situation. However, just as I said before, there are many of these instructors out there that are not qualified to be teaching martial arts. In a true kickboxing class you will learn how to focus, timing, coordination, and have the added benefit of a truly certified martial arts trainer. You will ultimately have a more rounded education in self defense, which will all add up to being better prepared.


I am not trying to bash cardio kickboxing. It is a great workout for some, especially if they are only trying to focus on cardiovascular health. However, most people go to the gym looking to get results, and if you want to get the best results you need to focus on more than cardio. Kickboxing gives you cardio and so much more. This helps you see better results much faster. The choice is yours, and maybe it would be best for you to give both classes a try and see which one appeals more to you.

We all must find that special thing that will help us stay motivated. There are many reasons as to why we want to exercise, but as you will soon find out, some reasons are better than others. For most of us looking back on the reasons why we began our exercise routine in the first place is all we need to get us out of any fitness ruts we may encounter. Therefore, you need to make sure you are exercising for all the right reasons. Here we look at a few of the wrong reasons many of us may use to start a fitness routine and how we can fix our outlook on them.

  1. To eradicate the food binge you had the night before. It is common for a lot of us to binge on snack foods at night. We may like to stuff ourselves to capacity and tell ourselves we will just hit the gym a little harder tomorrow. You should not let exercise be the cure all for overeating. You will only be punishing yourself for the night before, and no one likes a punishment. Instead try looking at your fitness routine as something that makes you feel better. You can release those endorphins to make you feel less stressed and improve your health at the same time.

  2. To eat whenever and whatever you want. You can’t expect exercise to negate all the negative effects of an unhealthy diet. Sure you will be able to burn some of those excess calories, but will you be able to burn them all? Most likely, you won’t. It is far easier to overindulge in calories than it is to burn them. So, instead of trying to outsmart your unhealthy diet, try eating healthier, consistently. Your body will feel and be much healthier for it. However, just because you can’t exercise to eat whatever you want whenever you want, does not mean that you can not enjoy your favorite guilty pleasure every now and then.

  3. To become skinny. We are bombarded daily with the need to have the perfect body image. Magazines, models, ads and other media show us stick thin people and have all of us striving to be these unreal images. Most of us know that it is nothing but photoshop giving these people the appearance of having those perfect bodies; however, others just want to be them and think that if they exercise hard enough they can achieve this look. However, you could be sabotaging your fitness routine with unrealistic goals and expectations. You should want your body to be healthy and strive to be healthier. By wanting a stick thin body, you could overdo your fitness routine, quit when you think you are skinny enough or become frustrated when you do not immediately achieve your goals. So, no matter what your size, even the skinny ones, you should keep on exercising. In the end you will feel and look healthier.

Exercising for the right reasons can keep you going on days you feel down. If you are exercising for the wrong reasons then you may feel overwhelmed or frustrated and eventually quit your exercising routine. So, do yourself a favor and reevaluate the reason you started exercising in the first place and make sure that it is the best motivation for you. In the end it is what will help you stick with your exercise routine and help you become healthier.

– See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/3-wrong-reasons-to-start-your-exercise-routine/

Kickboxing fitness routines have seen a major boost in popularity lately. It is as if the whole world is jumping on the kickboxing fitness band wagon. We all want to reap the benefits associated with kickboxing. This type of fitness routine seems to give us a more toned body, quick weight loss results, confidence and also some handy self defense techniques. However, are we letting some of our cardio kickboxing classes give us a false sense of security? We need to make sure the self defense techniques we are picking up are truly able to stand up in a real world scenario. Here are a couple tips that will help you do just that.

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  • How reliable is your punch? Most of us practice our punching with gloves and hand wraps in kickboxing. Can we effectively punch with full force if we do not have them? You may want to vary up some of your punching with palm-heel strikes and throw in some elbows or finger jabs. This can also help add a little bit more to your offensive arsenal. It would not hurt to have a few extra moves, right?
  • Can you perform these techniques in your normal clothing? You may want to tone down some of your flashier movements when you want to learn some handy self defense moves. It is fine to do those high kicks in the gym but remember if you wear tight clothing or high heels it may not be practical to use this move in a self defense situation. I am not saying to never do these moves in the gym, just remember to add some more variety to your routine that may be of more use should the situation arise.
  • Focus on your movements. Cardio kickboxing classes are centered around constant movement. You need to figure out which movements are just fillers and which movements are truly based on fighting techniques. Once you discover the true fighting stance and movements, you will develop better balance and be able to block and dodge with the best of them. You will also see an increase in the power behind your attack moves.
  • Do not become lax in your movements. It is easy to get comfortable in any class. However, in kickboxing you need to maintain the proper form to get the most out of your fitness routine. In order to achieve the most power and speed from your movements you need to remain focused on every little detail of your fitness routine. Besides, if you are using a cardio kickboxing class as a self defense class do you really want to only go in halfheartedly?
  • Hit some bags or pads. You will feel better about your skills when you know how it feels when you hit something real. If you are not into all the sparring involved in full contact kickboxing, do not worry. You can use heavy bags or someone can hold pads for you to hit. These tools can help you aim and focus your power on a target, which you would not get from just kicking or punching the air.


A kickboxing fitness routine has many benefits. It can help you tone up, shed those excess pounds and with just a few little tweaks you can learn some killer self defense moves. If you go all in, stay focused and train hard you will be able to shape your body and protect yourself in no time.

Most of us have had those days when we do not feel like getting off of the couch. We just can not seem to get going no matter what we do. That is okay. Every now and then everyone deserves a little rest break. However, if you begin to notice more and more days like this, then you need to do something about it. We can all lose our motivation, but we have to actively seek it out in order to find it again and stick with our fitness routines. Do not worry if this happens to you. An easy way to find your motivation again is by remembering what made you start your fitness routine in the first place. However, if this does not help, we have gathered a few tips to help you find your motivation and overcome some of the more common fitness excuses.

  1. My goal is so unachievable, why should I even try? A lot of us jump into our fitness routines and hope to see immediate and quick results. However, we need to realize this is just not the way it happens in the real world. You will most likely start to slowly notice changes in your endurance, speed, flexibility, weight and dress size. It is best not to focus on one thing like your weight but try to look at it as a whole in order to see the good that your fitness routine is doing. Also, try to make your goals in sections or smaller increments. This way you can conquer one and move on to the next.

  2. My body is too old or too out of shape, why should I even start? You are never too old or too out of shape for exercise to help you. Did you know that if you try to add more to your walk everyday, you could actually start seeing the effects in your waistline in as little as twelve weeks? It is something to aim for. However, if you feel as if you may not be healthy enough to perform a certain type of fitness routine, then visit your doctor and voice your concerns. They will easily be able to recommend an appropriate fitness routine to fit your needs. This way you can play it safe and be on your way to living a healthier life.

  3. My fitness routine is boring, why should I even bother showing up? If you do the same thing over and over like jumping on the treadmill you will probably become easily and quickly bored. If you are experiencing this type of boredom, then it is time to switch up your routine. Not only will this keep you excited about your routine, it will also make sure that your body is not becoming use to your movements, which can make your fitness routine ineffective. So, the next time you are feeling bored try looking for a fitness class that is a little outside of the box and one that can be easily adapted. You could try kickboxing, dancing or yoga. The choices are endless.

There are many reasons that make us want to workout like getting healthy, losing weight, fighting stress naturally and wanting to increase our energy. However, the sad truth is that we only need one excuse to quit our fitness routines, and usually we can easily find those reasons. However, we must remain consistent with our fitness routines and stay motivated. This means that it is going to take a lot of hard work and perseverance in order for us to get all of the benefits associated with exercising regularly. So, the next time you feel as if you may be losing your motivation or slacking on your fitness routine try looking at why you started and what all you have accomplished. If that does not work, then maybe some of these motivational tips may just do the trick.

– See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/how-to-easily-overcome-three-of-the-most-common-fitness-excuses/

Everyone knows that kickboxing has an extensive list of physical benefits. It can help us lose weight and tone our bodies in no time at all; however, did you know that kickboxing also has an extremely long list of mental benefits? It is easy for us to overlook the many mental benefits that we can achieve from a kickboxing fitness routine when we are only focusing on how our body seems to be achieving the impossible. However, we should not cast aside the mental benefits of kickboxing just because we are too concerned with the physical benefits.

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Boost your self- confidence

Kickboxing combines techniques from boxing and martial arts. You will learn how to effectively defend yourself by punching, kicking and dodging potential attacks. You have the advantage of acquiring quick reflexes coupled with the knowledge of some highly complex fighting moves. This knowledge alone should put your mind at ease if you encounter a certain situation. Just by knowing that you are prepared if need be can make you feel more empowered. Having the knowledge and power to defend yourself if the need arises would give anyone a boost to their self confidence, and you should feel proud and confident in your abilities.

Boost your energy

Kickboxing is a high-energy fitness routine that not only focuses on working out your body but also your mind. Unlike many other forms of exercising, such as running or biking, kickboxing requires an individual’s full attention. This can help an individual maintain a greater focus on their fitness routine and can increase the overall output of their fitness routine. For any fitness routine, the output, your results, is affected by the input, how much effort you use. During your kickboxing routine, you will be breathing heavy and sweating out toxins, which in the end will give you a much needed boost to your energy level.

Stress Buster

The act of hitting, punching and kicking heavy bags alone is enough to relieve the pent up stresses of the day. Kickboxing can be the perfect way to relieve any type of frustration that we may have built up over time. By the end of your fitness routine you will be feeling refreshed, invigorated and ready to take on the world. You can also add in the fact that any form of exercise releases endorphins into the bloodstream. Endorphins, a natural chemical found in your body, act as a mood booster and a stress buster. You will get to leave each of your kickboxing sessions on a natural high after you have worked out all of your pent up frustrations. It is a win-win situation.

Kickboxing is a high-energy fitness routine that can be beneficial to everyone. It not only transforms our bodies but can enhance our moods and enlighten our minds. The many benefits of this fitness routine should never be overlooked. You can achieve the body you want and the mind and emotional state you need.

– See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/how-you-can-mentally-benefit-from-kickboxing/

Most of us start a fitness routine to lose weight or get back into shape. A kickboxing fitness routine can do this and so much more. It can make your mind, body and spirit feel so much better. Kickboxing can also give you some much needed knowledge in self-defense. You can achieve a lot of different benefits from just one fitness routine. There are many classes aimed at beginners, so you should not be afraid to try it out if you do not have any kickboxing experience. Most classes allow you to visit them before you actually sign up for them, so you can try it out before you commit. So, why not give kickboxing a chance?

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Transform your body

Kickboxing combines many different types of movements that can workout all of the muscles in your body. Your legs are used for kicking and your arms for punching. Your core is engaged to help stabilize your movements. Your heart will be pumping in no time, and you get the added benefit of resistance training if you use the heavy bags or spar with a partner. You can achieve a full body workout just by participating in a kickboxing fitness routine. In as little as thirty minutes you can burn around 400 to 500 calories. This will give you a lot of fat burning potential. In just a short period of time you should be able to notice a more toned and shaped body.

Emotional and mental benefits

A kickboxing fitness routine can not only make you look better but can also make you feel better. Endorphins, natural chemicals found in the body, are released during your fitness routine. They give you a natural feel good feeling that can be known to last for hours after your fitness routine. Kickboxing is also a great way to combat the stresses of the day. You can kick and punch away all your pent up frustrations on a heavy bag in a controlled and safe environment. It can feel great to have the chance to release some aggression when we know that no one, including ourselves, will actually get hurt.

Learn some self-defense moves

Kickboxing is a form of martial arts and will teach you some basic self-defense moves. You will learn how to throw and even take a punch if you participate in the sparring aspect of kickboxing. You will learn how to properly perform kicks, a flawless fighting stance, how to fend off attacks and how to increase your reaction time. Just knowing that you may be a little more prepared than your attacker may realize should make you feel a little more at ease. It can be a huge weight off of your shoulders knowing that if the situation arises you have some training to fall back on.

A kickboxing fitness routine has a lot to offer. It is one of the best ways to lose weight and achieve the body of your dreams. It can boost your mood and relieve any pent up stress you may have. There are even studies that shows that kickboxing can help fight anxiety and depression. It is also a lot of fun. So, you will never get bored and will always look forward to your next fitness routine. It is the perfect way for many of us to stay fit and healthy.

– See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/the-many-benefits-of-a-kickboxing-fitness-routine/

9Round Woodridge officially opened its doors on April 21st; however, they will be celebrating their grand opening this Saturday May the 17th. We encourage you to stop by the gym at 1001 W. 75th Street Woodridge, IL 60517, which is in the Kohls center right beside the Hollywood Blvd. Theater. We encourage you to stop by and join in the festivities. We will be giving away free workouts from 8:00 AM until 1:30 PM along with many other prizes, which will include a 12 month membership, a My Zone belt and other gifts from nearby stores and restaurants. So, bring your friends and stop by to enjoy all the fun.

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Hurry in for opening and other special pricing

9Round Woodridge’s opening special for a $49 monthly membership will end on May 17th. You will get unlimited workouts, free boxing gloves, hand wraps, your own personal trainer, access to our on-line nutrition guide and a t-shirt. This is a great package deal. Normal pricing is usually $99 for the first month and $69 each month after. You can save $50 just by hurrying in and taking advantage of this deal, but you need to hurry there is only a few days left to grab this amazing deal. 9Round Woodridge has also added a student summer special. You can get three months of unlimited workouts, the gloves, the wraps, the whole package for only $139. This ends up being only a little over $46 per month. This is an unbelievable price for all that you can get from a 9Round fitness routine.

The ease of a 9Round fitness routine

A 9Round fitness routine is geared toward everyone. All of your workouts are supervised by certified 9Round trainers that are there to motivate you and to ensure that you perform your fitness routine effectively and properly. You do not need to be afraid if you do not have any kickboxing experience, as our trainers can walk you through each move and adjust your workout to your fitness level. At 9Round we do not have any class times. Our workouts are done in a circuit training format. There are nine challenging stations, and each station lasts for three minutes. This means that a new workout starts every three minutes, and you can get a full body workout that is guaranteed to give you results in only thirty minutes, which can easily fit into our hectic schedules.

If you have any questions about 9Round Woodridge’s grand opening, specials, memberships or 9Round’s fitness routine feel free to stop by or call us at 630-930-8439 and one of our trainers will be happy to help you. You may also contact us through our website, and we will quickly get back to you. To stay up to date on all of our gym news and special pricing please like our facebook page. We look forward to seeing you Saturday as we celebrate our grand opening 9Round style.

– See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/9round-woodridge-invites-you-to-its-grand-opening/

Kickboxing has become very popular in the last few years. There are probably a few fitness centers in your town that feature some sort of kickboxing fitness routine. There are infomercials advertising kickboxing, and you can see it on tv and in the movies. Researchers have conducted countless studies and released their findings on the numerous benefits of kickboxing as a fitness routine. However, there are many things that people still do not know about kickboxing, and there are an abundance of myths floating around about kickboxing that many people believe to be true.

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 Kickboxing is hard to learn or master.

Many people think that you have to already be fit and inhumanly flexible to learn kickboxing. They believe that if you are new to the fitness scene it would be almost impossible to take up kickboxing. This is just not true. You do not have to be in the perfect shape or extremely flexible to start a kickboxing fitness routine. Kickboxing will help you become fit and flexible. All you need to do is have patience and keep working at it. It is just like any other fitness routine, take your time and listen to your instructors and you will be performing your routines perfectly in no time.

Kickboxing is dangerous.

Kickboxing is a full contact sport, and as with all full contact sports, there is a risk of injury. However, if you follow all the safety precautions and pay attention, your chance of injury is very slight. There is also different forms of kickboxing available today. If you do not feel comfortable or want to participate in full contact kickboxing, there are other options available. You can join a cardio kickboxing class or another kickboxing class that only teaches the movements and techniques of kickboxing and does not participate in the full contact aspect of the sport. If you play it safe and listen to your instructor there will be nothing to worry about.

Kickboxing promotes violence.

Some people think that because kickboxing is a full contact sport that it promotes violence. This is also not true. It is in fact quite the opposite. As with any form of martial arts, it promotes focus and discipline. Kickboxing can help its participants gain inner and outer peace. From the outside looking in, it is easy for most people to assume that kickboxing teaches its participants how to be violent and fight; however, the techniques taught in kickboxing should only be used for self defense.

    There are many benefits associated with participating in a kickboxing fitness routine. In order to capitalize on these benefits, you should keep an open mind and look forward to learning something new. You should never let your preconceived notions stop you from experiencing something that could help you remain fit and healthy while having fun at the same time. You could really enjoy a kickboxing fitness routine, so before you judge it, you should take the time to try it.

– See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/3-facts-about-kickboxing-everyone-thinks-are-true/

9Round Portland Pearl District had the honor of giving one of their very own fitness bloggers Katrina “Ninjarina” an intro into 9Round’s fitness concept. Kickboxing fitness routines are all the craze now. There are many different types of classes you can take ranging from the dancey aerobic type of kickboxing to the full contact sparring type of kickboxing. Katrina feels as if 9Round falls nicely in the middle. In her workout she enjoyed being able to gear up and go to town kicking and punching on the heavy bags, but at the same time, it can put your mind at ease knowing that you do not have to worry about taking a punch. She gives us her complete thoughts on her 9Round workout, what makes 9Round’s fitness routine unique and the benefits of a 9Round fitness routine in her review on her blog, Funky Fitness PDX.

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First Impressions

When she walked through the doors and saw the boxing gloves hanging right in front of her, Katrina knew she was in the right place. She liked the fact that when you filled out your beginner’s paperwork you got to choose a fighter name, and of course, she chose Ninjarina. She loved the chance to add her own little personal touch to her fitness routine. It can be the little things that can truly count in helping you stick to your fitness routine. Once you complete your paperwork and choose your fighter name, you are ready to begin your workout.

A unique fitness routine

9Round’s fitness routine revolves around techniques from boxing and kickboxing that are performed in a circuit training format. There are nine different stations that last for three minutes each. According to Katrina the first couple of stations wee used to help her warm up and prepare for the workout ahead. The next few stations were more intense and then you get to move on to hitting the heavy bags. All the while a personal trainer is with you to watch your form and correct you if you become sloppy. You are also kept busy during the thirty seconds in between the rounds. You are constantly kept moving for the entire thirty minute workout. However, Katrina’s favorite part of a 9Round fitness routine is the fact that you can come in any time during business hours and start a workout. There are no class times because of the circuit training format. You can come in and start your workout in the next three minute round.

Benefits

There are many benefits to a 9Round workout. In only thirty minutes you can easily squeeze in a full body workout that is guaranteed to give you results. All of our workouts come with a certified 9Round trainer to supervise your workouts to ensure that you are getting the most out of your fitness routine and using the proper form to stay injury free. However, Katrina’s favorite benefit is the MYZONE heart rate monitor. This tool gives our members the chance to gauge how their workout is going by seeing their vitals on a screen. It can help you maximize your workout by staying in your top fat burning cardio zone or even compete with other members if that is your thing.

At the end of her thirty minute 9Round workout Katrina admitted that she was sweaty and pooped. She even attested that it was a kick-booty workout. 9Round prides itself on being able to give its members a convenient and effective way to reach their fitness goals. If you are in the Portland, Oregon area, we encourage you to check out the same 9Round Katrina visited in Pearl District. If you are not in the Portland area do not worry there are 9Rounds everywhere. Check out our website to find the location nearest to you and feel free to take advantage of our first free trial workout. We look forward to helping you reach past your fitness goals.

– See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/9round-featured-on-funky-fitness-pdx-blog/