Vancouver Kickboxing Bootcamp | Urban Contender Fitness

Inject some fun into your spring fitness routine

Get that ultimate beach body with Vancouver’s hottest workouts.

By Amanda Ash, Vancouver Sun March 30, 2011

Amanda Ash participates in a class led by Eric Marcina at the Roundhouse Community Centre Thursday. The workout includes boxing and aerobic elements.
Photograph by: Ian Lindsay, PNG

VANCOUVER — It happens to the best of us: Spring rolls around, and as we strip off the pea coats and oversized sweaters, we notice a little jiggle in our step.
The gym is a logical place to start a sand-and-sun fitness routine, but for most people, hitting the treadmill can be just that — a lifeless routine that can leave you feeling like a hamster on a wheel.
According to Eric Marcina of Urban Contender Kickboxing Bootcamps, getting in shape for the summer doesn’t have to be snore-worthy. The Vancouver-based instructor says the social environment of group classes can keep you motivated and help you to achieve that coveted beach body, all while having a bit of fun.
“Having that same goal of ‘I want to get into shape,’ ‘I want to look great for summer,’ ‘I want to look great for a wedding’ … Whatever the reasoning is, everybody has some sort of goal or mission, and 20 people doing it altogether makes everybody want to reach that goal together,” Marcina says.
“If you’re by yourself, there’s no motivation. If you’re suffering with other people or working hard with other people, it feels great and you never get bored. It keeps you going.”
By combining his background in Muay Thai, traditional kick-boxing and karate with other personal fitness interests such as yoga and salsa, Marcina has developed a one-hour fitness class that helps students lose weight, learn self-defence and have fun for a sweat-drenched hour.
But the most attractive aspect of Marcina’s classes isn’t all the punching and kicking; rather, it’s the people it brings together.
“That’s why I like kick-boxing and that’s why I like teaching. Everybody hits that moment where they’re like, ‘Wow, I kind of like these people.’ It starts to feel like a family.”
Nathan Mellalieu, trainer and president of Studeo55 Gym, also boasts the motivational power of group workouts.
Mellalieu cites his Crossfit class as example of a high-intensity workout that holds your attention by dishing out fresh exercises and, of course, promoting strong camaraderie.
“You’re 10 times more likely to get results if you’re doing something with accountability. Only 20 per cent of active gym users get results,” Mellalieu notes, referring to a study done by Idea Fitness. “Of the 20 per cent that get results, 80 per cent of those are working with a trainer or some sort of supervised exercise.
“[Crossfit] doesn’t get stale. There are people cheering you on. If you miss a class, you’re going to hear about it.”
But as much fun as kick-boxing and Crossfit sound, Marcina reminds us that simply sticking to one class — no matter its enjoyment level — isn’t good, either. He believes people should challenge themselves to try new things every day, even if it means tackling a solo workout once in a while.
“You’ve got to keep yourself interested. If you’re just committing to kick-boxing and that’s it, you’re not going to notice any change. You’ve got to do a bunch of other stuff. Go outside. Go for a walk. Go for a jog. Do the Grouse Grind.”

Work your butt off

Functional Fitness Training or 8 Week Beach Body Challenge
Where: Various locations around Vancouver
Information: www.westcoastfitness.ca
Difficulty level: All levels
Why it’s fun: Functional Fitness Training packs a wide variety of weight and cardio exercises into a one-hour session. You’ll feel like a football star getting your heart rate up as you complete agility drills, plus you’ll get to work your arm muscles as you huff and puff your way through weight training. This class is great for those who are just starting their weight loss journey up to hardened athletic types, boasting a welcoming atmosphere filled with instructor high-fives and constant peer encouragement. If you want a serious boot camp before the summer, the 8 Week Beach Body Challenge (starting Monday) will involve a series of Functional Fitness Training classes as well as a pre- and post-dynamic fitness assessment and measurements. West Coast Fitness guarantees you’ll lose five to 10 pounds with the eight-week program.
Crossfit
Where: Studeo55 Gym (1114 Alberni Street)
Difficulty level: Intermediate to advanced
Information: www.studeo55.ca, call 604-684-0544 or email info@studeo55.ca
Why it’s fun: Crossfit isn’t for those who are squeamish over squats, or any athletic challenge for that matter. This strength and conditioning routine is becoming more and more popular, and it’s easy to see why: You’ll leave the class knowing you’ve pushed your body to its absolute limit. Crossfit involves a warm-up (such as running stairs), skipping rope and a series of high-intensity workouts. For example, some workouts involve pumping out reps as hard and as fast as you can for 20 seconds, then resting for 10 seconds, for a total of four minutes per exercise. Crossfit is the ultimate fitness challenge; when you’re ready to curl into fetal position, Studeo55’s Crossfit instructors and sibling-like classmates will ensure you keep pushing through those kettle bell exercises with a big-ol’ smile, even though your muscles are shaking like a thousand Chihuahuas.
Power Pacing
Where: Ron Zalko Gym (1807 West 1st Avenue)
Difficulty level: Intermediate to advanced
Information: www.ronzalko.com or call 604-737-4355
Why it’s fun: You’ll sweat more with Ron Zalko’s Power Pacing class than you ever have watching a nail-biter Canucks game. It’s fierce, yes, but this indoor cycling class gives the individual rider complete control over his/her intensity level, all while providing inspiring instructors who won’t let you slack off in the saddle. What makes Power Pacing so energetic and, at times, frenetic, is the use of music to motivate you during each leg of the ride; instructors also act as a kind of DJ, using familiar high-energy tunes to put each cyclist into a specific mood necessary for each segment. You’ll get an adrenalin rush from this class, which flows as fast as the sweat from your forehead. Also, about 20 minutes in, your butt will start to feel like Beyonce’s, which is a great incentive to keep pedalling.
Cardio Kickboxing
Where: Various locations around Vancouver
Difficulty level: Intermediate to advanced
Information: www.urbancontender.com
Why it’s fun: Urban Contender’s Cardio Kickboxing classes will bring out the fighter in anyone who is up for the challenge. Incorporating basic cardio exercises with a variety of martial arts moves, Cardio Kickboxing teaches you discipline and focus while building strength and endurance. You’ll learn techniques — like how to properly throw a punch or power out a front kick — that are paramount to personal self-defence. What’s most enjoyable about Cardio Kickboxing, though, is the close-knit community that evolves from those who have fallen in love with Urban Contender’s painfully hardcore workouts.
Classic Step
Where: Various Steve Nash Fitness World & Sports Clubs around Metro Vancouver
Difficulty level: Beginner to intermediate
Information: www.stevenashfitnessclubs.com
Why it’s fun: If you’re just starting out on your journey to a fit and fab body, then Classic Step classes like those offered by Steve Nash Fitness World are for you. Classic Step is a low-intensity workout that will get your body moving and stimulate your brain. Although it’s not an intense workout, some of the techniques performed take serious coordination and concentration. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be spinning and twisting your way to a sweaty good time.
Zumba
Where: Various locations around metro Vancouver
Difficulty level:
Information: www.zumbavancouver.ca
Why it’s fun: Going to a Zumba class is a bit like being transported to a handful of tropical destinations in 60 minutes. This booty-shaking, hip-swirling dance class combines easy-to-do moves with Latin and International rhythms, all while tacking some basic aerobic and resistance exercises. You may feel too shy to unleash your inner Shakira at first, but by the end, the instructors’ addictive energy will make you feel both sexy and sweaty as you disco your way out the door. It’s a total party — minus the margaritas, of course.

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