Not the average workout: 9Round kickbox gym packs a punch

Exercise is important to overall health, as outlined almost daily by articles revealing that even a short exercise session can boost mood, improve memory, decrease stress and reduce the risk of medical conditions ranging from diabetes to high blood pressure.

However, fitting a workout in around busy work and family schedules is not easy for most adults, who often give up gym and fitness time to make room for other activities.

Offering a solution to fitting fitness around a busy schedule is 9Round Gig Harbor, a 30-minute kickbox fitness gym that offers a total body workout without set class times, said Tim Olson, owner and operator.

“It’s a full body workout that changes every day,” Olson said. “If we’re open, then come in at your own convenience ... new classes start every three minutes.”

A former high school and college football and basketball coach, Olson, 36, has a bachelor’s degree in community health education from Central Washington University and a master’s in sports education from Liberty University in Virginia.

The location opened Oct. 10 in the Uptown Gig Harbor shopping complex and positive feedback is already spreading through word-of-mouth and social media, Olson said.

He plans to host a grand opening for 9Round Gig Harbor sometime next month, timing the event to land sometime before Thanksgiving.

Olson first discovered the international franchise while in Virginia. The 9Round business began in South Carolina and quickly spread through nearby states.

“It’s just so much built around convenience and your schedule,” he said. “Boutique fitness is kind of in right now.”

During the 30-minute class time, members move through nine different “rounds,” or stations, that feature different exercises that change daily.

The workout offers strength training as well as both aerobic and anaerobic exercise to keep heart rates up and help burn calories, focusing on “core” muscles along with more traditional kickboxing moves.

“Thirty minutes is all it takes,” Olson said. “It’s for every fitness level ... We’ll keep you safe in everything you do here.”

With two more personal trainers working with Olson — Karen Nadeau and Keana Magalei — there is always someone watching and helping during classes to make sure that no one gets injured and that participants are encouraged to give 100 percent to their workout.

Styled to look like an old-school boxing gym, with brick paneled walls and pictures of fitness legends on the walls, an important part of the 9Round philosophy is to make fitness fun so that members want to come back and work out again.

“It’s fun. We’re trying to combine fitness and fun,” Olson said. “The coolest thing that people love is that it changes every day.”

With members able to join the workout circuit at any open station, there’s no waiting around or trying to fit a work schedule around a class time. Members can just show up and get started working out.

Plus, Olson said that with the workouts moving so quickly there’s a feeling of privacy for members, since everyone is focused on their own workout and not waiting for a new workout session to begin.

9Round Gig Harbor offers a free first workout and then a month-to-month membership for those who are interested.

An opening special discount offers the first 100 new members a rate of $89 a month, with a $25 membership fee. Regular monthly fees are $109, with a $99 registration fee.

Each new member receives boxing gloves and hand wraps, along with online nutritional information and unlimited workouts at 9Round Gig Harbor, open six days a week.

“We try to give you all the tools you need to reach your goals and achieve your best fitness,” Olson said. “Bring a kick or a punch buddy to class. Family and friends that kick together, stick together.”

This story was originally published October 27, 2016 at 10:01 AM with the headline "Not the average workout: 9Round kickbox gym packs a punch."