Tae-Bo Classes
The Tae-Bo classes cost US $8 per session or US $40 a month for access to all the Tae-Bo classes. Add US $25 and you also have access to the gym. The classes are Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30pm till 7:30pm. Marci's Mega gym is located in Simpson Bay, just after the bridge.
When I walk into the room, there are about 15 people getting ready to rumble. I see they're all on bare feet, so I quickly take off my sneakers. I don't know what to expect, so I lie low at the back of the room. We start of with a warm-up that consists of jumping-jacks, imaginary jump-rope and several punch-kick moves. It takes about 15 minutes and I'm already sweating when it's over. I hurry to get my water-bottle, since I don't know what's next.
Marco, the instructor (and 1997 European Kick-boxing Champion and Shidokan World Champion), walks over to a closet and takes out some gloves. Apparently we're really going to start hitting hard now. Everyone gets a set of boxing-gloves, while Marco hangs up two punch bags and puts on a set of hook and jab pads. He is assisted by Mirlande, who also puts on a set of pads. We have to punch the bags 20 times and then punch Marco or Mirlande 20 times. Everybody takes a turn, so there's time to catch your breath in between. The first 15 minutes we have been doing several different punches 20 times, the next 15 minutes we're unleashing several kinds of kicks. Then it's time to take a mat and lie down on the ground, aahh.. .that feels good.
But, no time for snoozing - it's abs-working time. Marco makes us do several types of crunches in sets of eights: with your legs out, sideways and many more. I'm not a big fan of crunches, but constantly switching it around made it easy and workable. The clock hanging above the mirrors says time is running out. We continue with the cooling down. After stretching our arms and legs, the hour is up. The people applaud for the teacher a bit, but I'm guessing mostly for themselves - for finishing. I've always been interesting in taking Tae-Bo classes. Traditionally it's a training that combines martial arts moves, boxing, aerobics and dance. It's a high energy work-out to music, at least that's what I knew and therefore expected. But Marco explained his clients preferred to hit something solid instead of punching air, so he changed up the routine. So far all his clients are satisfied with his class and especially the results. Does this sound like your ideal work-out?
Classes: Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30pm till 7:30pm
» Marci's Mega Gym 2000
