Leather smacks into leather. Feet swing high to pound a punching bag. Sweat rolls off the brow. These aren’t the sights of the training for “Mortal Kombat.” Instead they are what are found at the aerobic kick boxing class attended by more than a dozen FHS students at Big Sky Martial Arts. “I found out about the classes at the college (FVCC) when I was up there,” said senior Nicole Parrish. “I had seen it on the movies; I heard it got you into good shape.” “The fact that I’m already in a martial arts (led me to start),” said junior Liam Bowler. “It’s not that hard for me.” The class began two months ago, and has gained an immediate following. The response from the community “has been amazing,” said Big Sky Martial Arts head instructor and owner John Paul Noyes. “We did very little advertising, but with the word-of-mouth, it has just taken off.” Noyes said the reason the sport has gained such popularity in the short time span is because it teaches some of the same self-defense skills as other martial arts. “A lot of people want to be in a martial art but don’t want to get on the floor in a uniform with strict movements,” said Noyes. “But here there are other people moving to the same music at the same time, so it is a lot less intimidating. “There’s martial art and rhythm timing. You learn more than in regular aerobics — you also learn self-defense.” The classes are divided into level three (beginners) and level two (intermediate); Noyes hopes to add a level one advanced class when participants have more experience. The class entails stretching out, warming up, then going right into the aerobic kick boxing instructed by musician and taekwondo brown belt Jeff Crozier. Parrish said the instruction given by Crozier helps alleviate beginner’s jitters. “He tells you why he’s doing it (a position),” said Parrish. “He tells you pointers — what you should and shouldn’t do.” Bowler said music on the specially-timed CDs Crozier chooses makes the workouts seem easier. “Music does help out,” said Bowler. “It takes your mind off ‘oh, God, I’m tired’ and the sounds of everyone else stomping and (breathing hard).” The equipment used in aerobic kick boxing is hands wrapped in tape with boxing gloves over them, punching bags and no shoes. The sport burns 800 to 1,200 calories per hour. “Cardiovascularly, it’s great,” said Bowler. “It’s nice because if you walk in and can’t lift your leg above your hip, you still get as good as workout as people who are advanced. You choose your level — you don’t have to sit out, you just go harder or lighter.” Parrish said the soreness she felt as a beginner in aerobic kick boxing was soon replaced by a feeling of fitness. “My first day was really tough, but after two or three classes it got easier,” said Parrish. “Kick boxing tones you up a lot and gets you some muscles, and it relieves your stress.” |
