A Baton Rouge gym is helping people of all ages and backgrounds get fitter, stronger and more confident, regardless of their ages and fitness goals.
Core UFC Gym offers numerous classes, including conditioning workouts, weight training, boxing, HIIT, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and more. Many conditioning classes are inspired by mixed martial arts, a style that has grown in popularity in recent years for its numerous benefits, including building strength, endurance, agility and more.
Thomas Webb, a co-owner at Core UFC Gym, said the most popular classes involve high intensity internal training, known as HIIT.
“Those are circuits put together by a coach with different exercises and time lengths,” Webb said. “We also have boxing and kickboxing conditioning classes with a coach in the middle who is giving out combinations, punches and plyometric exercises as well. Our advanced training features things like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling and striking classes.”
While the workouts themselves may be intense, Webb said the atmosphere at Core UFC Gym is all about family, friendliness and fun.
“It’s not a place where you’re going to come in and it’s a bunch of brutes beating on each other,” Webb said. “We have everything you need for any type of person – any age, race, religious, creed, ethnicity. We’ve got something for everybody.”
One Core UFC Gym member, Sarah Grace, said she decided to try the gym about a year and a half ago after getting bored with her weightlifting routine. At Core UFC GYM, she takes boxing conditioning classes as well as sparring lessons with fellow members.
“You learn something new every time you come in,” she said. “They teach you not just to be physically strong, but mentally strong as well.”
Darius Lewis, one of the primary trainers and Co-Owner at Core UFC Gym, recommends that those who are new to workouts or who haven’t exercised in several years start by working one-on-one with a personal trainer to learn basic moves while building up their physical strength and confidence before taking part in a group class.
“I take it from the ground up when someone comes in who wants to work one-on-one,” he said. “Everybody has a different personality, so you want to give them something that fits their needs. You want to make it personal to them.”
Webb noted that the staff at Core UFC Gym is ready to work with anyone. Youth classes are available and have students as young as six years old. Adults of all ages participate in training as well, including some in their late 60s.
“I love seeing the growth of an individual who’s been shy. If somebody else pushes you to your limits or past your limits, you can see what you can really become,” Lewis added.
Core UFC Gym is located at 4520 South Sherwood Forest Boulevard, Suite 110, Baton Rouge. For more information or to receive a pass for a free class, visit www.ufcgym.com/locations/sherwood.