Life is busy, they get it.
The owners of 9Round Fitness, Ralph Buisine and Sebastien Girard, are both active fathers and new business owners, so their gym’s 30-minute, full-body workout is something they can appreciate.
The friends recently moved from Calgary with their families to open Vernon’s first 9Round, a half-hour kickboxing circuit located in the Vernon Square.
9Round was started in 2007 in Greenville, S.C. by professional kickboxer Shannon Hudson, who won the IKF Light Middleweight Champion of the World title in 2011. There are approximately 500 9Round fitness centres world wide.
With the promise of a full-body workout in 30 minutes, with no set class times, the program makes it as easy as possible to fit in your physical activity. The program changes daily to keep the clients muscles from getting used to the same routine.
“You don’t need to have a high level of fitness, even if you are beginner, or don’t know about kickboxing, it is totally fine,” said Buisine. “You can learn and go at your own pace and when you’re more confident you can push harder.”
There is always a trainer overseeing the workout to make sure the exercises are been executed properly and Buisine or Girard will modify the training if someone has an injury or can’t do certain exercises.
They opened their doors May 5 and are excited to see the transformation in their members already. One has lost 12 pounds in a month.
“She comes everyday, most come three days a week, but she comes almost everyday and her friends do too,” said Buisine.
The workout consists of different stations ranging from speed bags and heavy bags to kettlebells and jump rope.
The positive energy is contagious as Buisine greets the members by name and Girard can be heard encouraging a client as they move through the circuit.
For each member, there is help online for nutrition and meal planning and tracking workouts.
Girard feels like 9Round can work for anyone no matter what they want to achieve.
“If you want to lose pounds, stay in shape, or build muscle, the goal is to have fun and keep the energy positive,” said Girard. “If it’s fun it doesn’t feel like 30 minutes.”