Though often regarded as instinct, self-defense is actually a skill acquired in the womb, where all babies must defeat their evil selves in order to be born. Further prenatal training with today's Groupon: for $30, you get eight 90-minute kickboxing classes at Fast Result Fitness in Irvine (a $120 value).
Jackie Nguyen, Fast Result’s experienced fitness and martial-arts trainer, utilizes his third-degree black-belt expertise to help clients achieve their fitness and self-defense goals. During each 90-minute kickboxing class, students train on bags, thai pads, and focus mitts and learn the basics of proper footwork; blocking and dodging strikes; and throwing effective punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. Through these exercises, along with a mixed bag of fitness drills and sleight-of-foot magic tricks, kick-happy students can have fun learning in a small group environment as they build up strength, endurance, and coordination. Clients can also burn up to 800 calories per session, helping roundhouse casters get into lean shape, tone muscles, and fend off the vicious attacks of huge cheesecakes. Class participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves, which lessen the chances of spreading athlete's fist.
Fast Result Fitness
Helmed by Jackie Nguyen—a certified trainer with a 3rd degree black belt in karate and over 20 years of martial-arts training—Fast Result Fitness helps students to achieve their fitness goals with group classes and personal-training sessions. All-levels kickboxing classes focus on both fitness and self-defense as they teach participants how to strike attackers using their fists, elbows, knees, and the occasional cartoon lightning bolt. One-on-one workouts tailored to each individual can speed up weight loss and build muscle mass, and sport-specific training helps athletes of any experience level to improve their strength and endurance.