Spring Into Kickboxing: Your Beginner's Guide to Getting Started

Everything you need to know before your first session - no experience required

9Round Wicker Park • 1653 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622

Spring is here, and if you've been thinking about shaking up your workout routine, you're not alone. The longer days and warmer weather have a way of sparking that "this is the year" energy, and kickboxing is one of the best ways to channel it.

But if you've never thrown a punch before, walking into a kickboxing studio can feel a little intimidating. We get it. That's why we put together this guide - to answer the questions we hear most from people in Wicker Park who are curious about trying something new this spring.

What to Expect on Your First Day

Here's the thing most people don't realize about kickboxing: you don't need to know anything going in. At 9Round on Division Street, every workout is trainer-led, which means someone is right there with you showing you proper form, walking you through combinations, and making sure you're comfortable.

The workout itself is a 30-minute circuit with nine stations. You'll move through rounds that include boxing, kickboxing, core work, and conditioning. There's no complicated choreography to learn and no one's watching to see if you look like a pro. Everyone starts somewhere, and our trainers are there to meet you exactly where you are.

Do I Need to Be in Shape First?

This might be the number one question we hear, and the answer is always the same: absolutely not. Every round is designed so you can work at your own pace. Your trainer will help you scale the intensity, whether that means slowing down a combination, adjusting the power on a kick, or modifying a movement entirely.

Kickboxing is a full-body workout, so you'll definitely feel it. But that's the beauty of it: you're building strength, cardio endurance, and coordination all at once. Most people are surprised at how much they can do on day one.

Why Spring Is the Perfect Time to Start

After a long Chicago winter, spring has a way of resetting your mindset. Maybe you let your gym routine slip during the colder months, or maybe you're looking for something completely different from the treadmill-and-weights cycle. Either way, starting something new when the energy around you is shifting just makes sense.

And in a neighborhood like Wicker Park, there's no shortage of things going on. You might be walking down Division after brunch or heading home from the Blue Line and decide to pop in. That's actually how a lot of our members got started. They saw the studio, got curious, and gave it a shot.

What to Wear and What to Bring

Keep it simple. Wear athletic clothes you're comfortable moving in, and bring a water bottle. We provide boxing gloves and hand wraps for your trial, so you don't need to buy any gear upfront. Sneakers with good support work great. Cross-trainers are ideal, but running shoes will do just fine for your first visit.

What Makes Kickboxing Different from Other Workouts

A lot of people come to kickboxing because they're tired of workouts that feel repetitive. Running on a treadmill, doing the same machines, following the same routine - it gets old. Kickboxing keeps things interesting because the workout changes every single day. You're never doing the same session twice.

There's also a stress-relief component that's hard to replicate with other exercises. Hitting a heavy bag after a long day at work just hits different (pun intended). A lot of our members say it's become their favorite way to decompress, and they notice a difference in their mood and energy even after just a few sessions.

Start on Your Own Terms

One thing people love about our Wicker Park studio is that there are no set class times. You just walk in whenever it works for you and jump into the circuit. Whether that's before your morning coffee, during a lunch break, or after dinner, it's completely on your schedule. No need to rearrange your day around a class time or feel guilty about missing one.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Kickboxing is one of those workouts that's way more approachable than it looks. You don't need experience, you don't need to be in shape, and you definitely don't need to figure it out alone. Our trainers at 9Round Wicker Park are here to guide you every step of the way. Spring is calling - come see what it's all about.