Giving 9Round Columbia Pike my money

Update: my local 9Round closed so I am no longer a member of 9Round.

A brand new 9Round gym opened up in the Penrose Square neighborhood of South Arlington, and I popped on January 7 after eating tacos and drinking margaritas at my favorite local, Taqueria el Poblano, just to see who took over the vacated commercial space.  It was a gym called 9Round.

9Round 1st Impression

There was a spry dude in there with cool frames and he walked me through their unique kickboxing-based high-intensity workout based on 9 three-minute rounds. His name is Nick and he's officially become my trainer and coach.

 9Round is Kickboxing Reimagined for Everyone

[caption id="attachment_1326" align="alignleft" width="300"]9Round Boxing Gloves and Wraps[/caption]

Originally, a boxing round was 3-minutes. So, be it. And, though the complete workout is only 30-minutes, I finally went back last night to give it a go.

9Round offers the first workout for free so last night was my free workout. I joined on my way out after those 9 rounds, those 30-minutes, and those two liters of sweat I left on the mat. 

With 9Round, there are 9 stations with 9 different and progressively difficult 3-minute workouts, including a heavy bag, uppercut bag, speed bag, double-ended-bag, and maybe what's called a kick bag, maybe. There are kettlebells, jump ropes, dumbbells, and other accoutrements.

I Get to Wear Boxing Gloves and Hand Wraps

Part of your kit in 9Round includes boxing hand wraps and a pair of boxing gloves -- which is very cool (and might result in getting beat up by all the CrossFit bros).

[caption id="attachment_1562" align="alignright" width="225"]Chris Abraham with Nick Grandi[/caption]

Why didn't I end up joining up with Conor over at CrossFit South Arlington?  I'm not there yet, is why. I have done a real diagnosis of how fit I am not, and I didn't pass. I still do want to join CrossFit in 2016, but it will be in addition to 9Round and it'll be once I start doing my 30-minute kickboxing workouts without wanting to die each time I go and after I start doing all of the workouts they have at each station on each little white board instead of a unique one that needs to be adapted to my current fitness level.  Don't worry, Conor, I'll be there, just not right away -- but soon, and in addition to 9Round.

What I Like About 9Round

1. Cheap: you can take as many classes as you want -- even multiples-per-day -- for $70/month or less.
2. Convenient: there are no class schedules. You just need to show up during their unique business hours and you can join the workout circuit. So, any time I feel the need or have the time, I can grab a really complete HIIT workout. It's sort of like a revolving door. Just come in and jump on, no need to put anything on your calendar.
3. Coached: every workout is actively coached, assisted, adapted, and curated by a very activist and engaged trainer. You'll never be on your own, but you'll also constantly be motivated and encouraged, almost like having your own personal trainer.
4. [caption id="attachment_1564" align="alignright" width="225"]Feeling the 9Round burn after only 30 minutes[/caption]

   Adaptive: I'm currently 100 pounds overweight so my mobility, flexibility, and relative strength is not ideal. No worries.  The 9Round coach personally looks at how I am doing and how much I can handle and personally recommends a custom workout that keeps me challenged and sweating without hurting or frustrating me.

5. Alone with Others: I can often feel self-conscious when it comes to not being the man I was when I was a 180 pound high school wrestler or a 220 pound college heavyweight rower -- or even a 235 pound daily runner and avid bicyclist. That's not an issue, even though there are usually 8 other folks working out with you in the 9Round gym. Thing is, everybody's doing something else.
6. Close: It literally only takes 7 minutes for me to walk to my local 9Round gym in Penrose Square, right off of Columbia Pike in South Arlington. And, if I jog it, it'll probably only take just a few minutes.
7. Sane: I don't feel like I want to die today, after doing my first workout just last night. When my girlfriend is done with [solidcore] she's sore for days. She loves it but I love how Pavel Tsatsouline stressed the need to leave gas in the tank. I still really want to take runs and I don't want my workouts to be either/or, I want to do a 30-minute high-intensity workout at 9Round every day and still take a walk, a run, or even go back to commuting to and from work by food again and to start riding my bike to Miriam's Kitchen when I volunteer there on Wednesdays.

[caption id="attachment_1327" align="alignright" width="300"]The free 9Round bag that comes with your free gloves, wraps, cup, and water bottle upon joining[/caption]

Why Choose 9Round?

That's why I feel the need to spend a half-hour-a-day at the funny little red gym down the block, but here's what 9Round says to recommend itself:

• A fast, effective full-body work out in 30 minutes.
• Work out every muscle, every time.
• A new station every 3 minutes, Get In Get Fit.
• No class times, equals no waiting.
• High-energy, motivating trainers included.
• Measurable results with heart rate technology.
• Workout changes every day, never boring.
• Burn up to 500 calories in 30 mins.
• Virtual nutrition coach included.

And that sounds pretty good to me. Wish me luck. I'll let you know how I do.