Fitness & Wellness hosts Fight Force Flow, a martial arts based workout class this fall

Every punch, every kick, and every movement is backed by intention. In this class, you’re moving with focus and purpose.

Fitness & Wellness is launching Fight Force Flow, a brand-new Group RecXercise class this fall. Piloted during the summer, this class combines disciplines of boxing, jujitsu, MMA and karate into a high-intensity workout to build grit and resilience.

“I thought it was a very good full-body workout,” participant Devin Teri said. “It definitely tests my endurance, especially the legs, doing all the kicking and the lunges and the squats, but it’s super fun!”

This class integrates the three elements of fitness: cardio, strength,and mobility. The format — designed and instructed by Jennifer Rhinesmith-Carranza and Payton Furtick — moves through three progressions:

• Fight: Cardio component involving various foundational martial arts movements such as punches, jabs and kicks. 
• Force: Strength component utilizing equipment and integrating footwork, stability, and stances
• Flow: Mobility component incorporating stretches and functional exercises that help fighters inside and outside the ring

While the workout involves martial art techniques, it is entirely non-contact making it  beginner-friendly and designed to help anyone succeed. Inspired by Boxing Bootcamp and the Cardio Kickboxing, Fight Force Flow was created to make martial arts accessible to everyone. 

“I think a lot of people want to engage in martial arts, but combat sports can be intimidating,” Rhinesmith-Carranza said. “So it’s a way to engage with part of that martial arts activity in a very safe, low stakes environment, meaning nobody’s going to hit you.”

Having experienced the class for myself, I went in underestimating the challenge. I felt the burn halfway through the Fight section—my body was working hard to keep up with all the punches and kicks! The class offers a unique challenge due to its martial arts component, but the instructors constantly correct form and ensure participants perform exercises safely. 

“So we’ll do a reverse crunch where your feet go up towards the ceiling,” Rhinesmith-Carranza said. “Well, when you’re defending from the ground, that’s exactly what you’re doing. You’re defending with your legs. When you kick up to push an opponent off of you, you’re literally doing that reverse crunch. And so it comes from this foundational place of purpose.”

Registration for fall classes will open in August through the Fitness & Wellness page on the Rec Sports website or through the Rec Sports app. While this class may sound intimidating, you will leave with a triumphant smolder on your face. Register today!

Alongside Fight Force Flow, keep an eye out for the Fall Group RecXercise schedule and the launch of a brand-new group fitness class, Human Reformer, coming this fall.