Under the Gumtree

Kickboxing your way to summer fitness

This is the first in our series on the different people and things you can find on Gumtree.

Some people seem to have got their summer fitness regimes under way. Others are * ahem* still staring at January’s gym membership and wishing there was another way.

We’ve been seeing more kickboxing ads here on Gumtree, and with classes taking place all over the UK, could this be the fun way to fitness?

I spoke to Liz Ferioli AKA Ladyliz from London Warriors to get the skinny (see what I did there?) on kickboxing and allay my fears over getting kicked in the head by a 12 year old.

Call me a flake, but kickboxing seems violent. Could I get hurt?
Our classes certainly aren’t violent. Everyone works to their own level, the sparring is controlled and we work to the top of the head guard, not to the face.  Our instructors remind everyone before any sparring session that all contact is to be light, and this is enforced in the class, and all customers respect that.

I’m a beginner. Will I end up in a kids’ class?
All our classes are mixed with levels, abilities and ages so this would never happen.  We find that everyone benefits from working together, plus we have children and parents who train together, which builds closer family bonds.

Can I ditch the gym for kickboxing?
For sure. In fact, a lot of our customers have given up on the gym to join our academy, as they say they’re pushed and get a lot more out of our classes than the gym. Plus they’re learning new skills as well as being able to monitor their progress.

Do you need a base level of fitness before you start?
We’re here to help you get fit. We ensure everyone works at their own level and ability. Kickboxing is one of the best ways to get fit quick while having fun.

What do I need to buy to get started?
For your first class, you’ll just need a bottle of water, a towel, and comfortable clothing which is easy to move in.
After that, you pay for our membership which includes 1 year membership, licence, insurance, syllabus, membership record book and card. We have lots of deals for customers who do a full sign-up, which also includes full sparring equipment.

Can women do kickboxing?
If there is a woman out there who wants to lose weight, get fit, tone up, make friends, learn to defend herself, build confidence, get stronger, learn new skills, work to improving their physique, then yes.

So there you have it. With prices starting from £7 a class or £40 a month, it sounds like a fun way to train hard without the price tag of a personal trainer.

See the London Warriors ad