My typical week of workouts typically means a couple of spin classes along with a weight-training day and the occasional yoga session. Being bored while sweating is my biggest exercise turn-off, which is why I love to mix things up in terms of style and intensity. UFC GYM’s TRAIN DIFFERENT® approach uses unconventional training methods at the gym.
It fuses together the multi-disciplined approach of mixed martial arts with state-of-the-art equipment and traditional fitness. So when I had the chance to try a Daily Ultimate Training (DUT) class at a UFC Gym in New York City, I thought, why not?
The Daily Ultimate Training (DUT) Experience
If you're unfamiliar with DUT, I can tell you that this workout lives up to its name, that's for sure. I arrived at the UFC gym on a sweltering Thursday evening with my friend Nora in tow. I expected to receive hand wraps and boxing gloves for our class-after all, this was a gym geared toward training fighters. But we were instead ushered to a patch of fake grass with about 10 other DUT-ers.
There, we began the class with a light jog, lots of lunges, and squats of all varieties. Don't stop! our instructor yelled as he pushed down on my shoulders, signaling to sink deeper into my lunge. My legs were on fire. I felt tears in my eyes. And that was only the first 10 minutes of class.
After this warmup, our instructor set up nine stations, each featuring a different exercise. We split up into pairs and Nora and I snagged what appeared to be the easiest station. Unfortunately, nothing in this workout was easy. For the remainder of class, we spent two minutes at each station, taking 15-second breaks between each until we completed all nine exercises.
The circuit included:
- Wall sits: Rather than remain stationary, we were tasked with shimmying down the wall until fully seated. Then, we extend our legs for a moment, bent our knees again, and had to stand up without our hands, using only our back and ab muscles.
- Tricep dips: This classic bodyweight exercise involved planting your hands on a windowsill, bending your elbows and extending them for an upper-arm burn.
- Box jumps: "I don't think I can jump that high," Nora whispered to me as we approached the 3-foot cushioned box. With a bit of arm swinging for momentum, we got through it.
- Inverted push-ups: With our feet propped against a windowsill while positioned downward, we used our shoulder muscles to complete the exercise.
- Assisted rope climb: After planting our feet on the ground, we grabbed a thick hanging rope and climbed up and down to work our chest, arms, and core.
- Kettlebell crawl and pull: Think bear crawls while pulling a 20-pound kettlebell beneath you, alternating pulling with just the left arm, then the right.
- Bulgarian bag swings: We lifted the weighted bags overhead, then twisted to the side and slammed them down onto a tire in front of us.
- Plank with elliptical: Why do a stationary plank when you can throw in a little ab-blasting movement? We tightened our cores in a normal plank position, then placed our hands, palms down, on elliptical pedals and pedaled it out.
- Rows: We finished up the circuit on the rowing machine doing reps of this classic back, arm, and shoulder move.
The hour-long class didn't end there. Following the nine-exercise circuit, we hit the faux grass again for ab exercises such as crunches, bicycles, and scissor kicks before finishing up with some much-needed stretching.
2022 Global Ultimate Fitness Challenge National Championships Highlights @ UFC GYM Torrance
The Aftermath and Appreciation
Following a tough sweat session, it usually takes me at least a few hours or until the next morning to feel the muscle aches that tell me my body was challenged. But by the time I finished the warmup at UFC Gym, I already knew that my legs would burn for the hours and days that followed (my abs, shoulders, and upper arms were sore too). I waddled home from class, my legs feeling like Jell-O.
After DUT, I gained a whole new appreciation for the time and effort fighters like Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor put into their fitness regimens. Being a top-notch UFC fighter isn't just about throwing the perfect jab or uppercut. It also involves next-level stamina, not to mention mental strength.
UFC Gym SoHo: More Than Just a Gym
“We opened our first gym in the Financial District one year ago to show the community the benefits of mixed martial arts and we’ve seen hundreds of members go through fitness and lifestyle transformations,” said Jason Losco, franchisee of the UFC GYM NYC SoHo. “UFC GYM really caters to everyone from families to busy working professionals.
UFC GYM invites the community to stop by starting on September 13th for complimentary VIP club tours, live demonstrations and membership specials. The gym also features a 24 foot Octagon®, specially designed bag-room with 30 heavy bags, free weights, top of the line strength training and cardio machines as well as functional training equipment for dynamic workouts.
TRX suspension training, private performance coaching, Trigger Point foam rolling instruction, specialized youth fitness training are also offered. Additional amenities include full locker rooms and shower facilities with towel service.
Member Experiences
Here's what members are saying about UFC Gym:
- "Everyone is friendly and no waiting for equipment."
- "Manager Mary Ann is very sweet, showed me around explained every very clear. Very sweet thank you!"
- "Huge gym, supportive staff, and explosive classes! I’m glad I was introduced to this gym! Highly recommend 👍🏼"
- "Very great place to workout"
- "Great gym with a lot of variety."
Benefits of UFC Gym Membership:
Here is some of what you can expect from a UFC Gym membership:
- Unconventional training methods
- Fuses together the multi-disciplined approach of mixed martial arts with state-of-the-art equipment and traditional fitness.
- Caters to everyone from families to busy working professionals.
- Complimentary VIP club tours, live demonstrations and membership specials.
Class Schedule and Amenities
While a specific class schedule wasn't provided, UFC Gym SoHo offers a wide array of classes to suit different fitness levels and interests. These may include:
- DUT (Daily Ultimate Training)
- Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
- Boxing
- Kickboxing
- Yoga
- Spin
- Weight Training