At a Glance:

Website: http://www.foxyandfierce.com
Address: 7129 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046 (in Hollywood Dojo)
Length: 60 minutes
Price: first class free, 1 class/$20, 10 classes/$150, month unlimited/$115
Sweat scale: medium
Energy level: medium

Barre, spin, and Pilates have been my go-to workouts so much so that I have been bad at trying new things recently (blogger fail!). While I love pushing my body in different ways, it’s always a bit difficult to get completely out of my comfort zone. Kickboxing was something that I hadn’t ever given a chance so I was extremely excited to find that there is a studio just one block from my apartment!

Pre Sweat

Although I walked, there is ample parking in the lot with the Wendy’s. The instructor, Rashad, even let us know that it is fine to park in the spots labeled 20 minute parking (I promise he said this!). The studio is on the second floor (stairs are near the middle of the shopping center) and labeled “Hollywood Dojo”. I filled out the waiver and looked around for a water fountain…nothing. Having come without a wallet, Rashad handed me a cold water bottle and said I would just owe him $1. He instructed the newbies to grab a mat and 3 sets of weights: light, heavy, and 2 lbs.

Sweat

After some warming up (including 2 minutes with the jump rope…fml) we got right into the strength part of the workout. Using our hand weights, we did planks, back flies, push ups, and rows, stretching between each set. Like Barry’s Bootcamp, classes at Foxy and Fierce have different focus areas each day including core, booty, and arms.

Halfway through class, we moved into the kickboxing portion, which was set up as interval training. We rotated through 7 stations in groups of two, spending one minute at each exercise. The stations included punching and kicking the bag, pull-ups on a bar, push ups with a medicine ball, tricep dips on the bench, and kicking a pad. The hardness of the bag and pad surprised me; they did not give in to my kicks at all.

Although I came into class really intimidated, Rashad was extremely encouraging the entire time. The music was great and he was always shouting positive words through the microphone and urging us to do our best. He was also really good about trying to help us with our stance and moves.

Post Sweat

Open Source Organics is in the same shopping center and has delicious smoothies, juices, and wellness shots. They also come in a nice glass that is great for repurposing (I’ve used mine as vases and for grab and go homemade smoothies/iced coffee). Bossa Nova is two blocks away and has amazing food—you MUST splurge for the chicken brochette appetizer.

Tricks of the Trade

• Try to find a partner whose first time it is so you are learning together and don’t feel as nervous.
• The website says you can borrow gloves for free for your first class but it seems like there are gloves laying around to use all the time.
• Make sure your tennis shoes are clean on the bottom and that you don’t bring your water bottle in the actual studio but leave it in the waiting area.
• The studio is for women only, sorry boys!