Forget walking in the mall. How about boxing instead?
And that’s what happened at the Westfield Montgomery Mall Shopping is my Cardio event. Fight into Fitness (FIF) was the first fitness session for the summer/fall series. The mall sponsors free fitness classes from local gyms in the area for the community to participate during the year.
This event included a knockout workout, community involvement and fun with about 30 participants.
The Knockout Workout
Imagine it’s 10AM on a Sunday and instead of your usual walk in the mall, you box!
The free 45 minute class was attended by people of all ages and physical abilities. Since it was in an open space in the mall, everyone had plenty of room to spread out.
Coach Angel kicked off the class with a warm-up and immediately transitioned into a HIIT-style workout. Meanwhile, Coach Makeda moved among the participants, checking on them, providing modifications and energizing the class.
It’s a HIIT
During the HIIT portion, there was jumping jacks, kicks, lunges, running in place and more. Each round was either 30 seconds to a minute for two types of movements. Then it was repeated on the other side before moving to a new exercise.
The HIIT workout portion was only about 15-20 minutes, but long enough to get the heart rate up. Participants were wiping off their sweat and grabbing their water. But once that section was done, there was still more.
No Gloves, No Problem
Can you learn boxing fundamentals without gloves? Why Yes! And that’s exactly what happened.
Coach Angel showed everyone how to throw jabs, crosses, hooks, uppercuts and what to do with the rest of your body like your legs and core at the same time. It was a progression of learning. Once one move was accomplished, the next move was added in.
While it’s always fun to box with gloves, learning the fundamentals without the equipment, allows you to focus on the movement itself. And without the extra padding, you and the coach can see the mistakes and correct them.
It wasn’t just punches the class had to think about, it was the footwork too. With boxing, your footwork is in constant motion along with your arms. The class learned fundamentals and got a knockout workout at the same time for free!
The class was a great introduction to boxing for those who had never taken a class or just wanted a refresher, but also a great morning workout. When it comes to fitness, excuses come so easily, but you can still get a great workout without all the bells and whistles.
Community Involvement
The four pillars of Fight into Fitness are boxing, fitness, community and fun. This event was another example of how FIF strives for a commitment of local wellness, reaching new audiences and giving back.
Coach Angel and Coach Makeda led approximately 30 participants during this event as it was the first of many for the Westfield Montgomery Mall summer/fall series.
This event focused on fitness and it supported local businesses within the mall. If you registered, several of the local shops in the mall provided discounted services for their business after you attended the event.
Check out the other series for more information and attend the free classes throughout the summer and fall at Westfield Montgomery in Bethesda, MD.
Continue with Fight into Fitness
Boxing fitness can be for everyone of all ages and fitness levels. It’s great for strength, endurance, coordination, stress relief and more.
The event at the mall was a great teaser for what Fight into Fitness offers.
If you were one of the many participants that came to the free workout at the mall, FIF would love to see you again at the Rockville location. You’ll be able to incorporate what you learned with the use of boxing equipment.
If you missed it, don’t worry! Stop by the gym and get started from the beginning. The coaching staff will guide you through everything. Not sure what to expect? Read the Beginner’s Guide to Fight into Fitness.
It’s a welcoming environment for all. There is personal training, group classes, and more. FIF continues their commitment to building the community up. We’d love to see you there.
Ready to try a full boxing class? Visit or call for more information.
This is amazing, Angela! Thank you!
Thank you Makeda!