UFC Gym offers fitness, martial art classes

For those who attend the UFC Gym in Winter Garden — it is not only a gym, but a space where they can learn skills that will serve them well everywhere.

“This is the gym that everyone needs,” trainer manager Robert Montanez said. “The most important aspect (of this gym) is that you are having fun and that you can take the skill (you learn) out of this gym. So, you are working out, having a good time, but you are also learning a life skill that you usually wouldn’t learn at a traditional gym.” 

For four years, this UFC Gym has provided local residents with a training space where they can enjoy a variety of classes. These are divided into two groups, fitness classes and self-defense classes. 

On the fitness side, gym-goers can enjoy classes such as boxing, kickboxing and MMA conditioning.

“You are hitting the bags, it’s a fast-paced class, you burn calories and get conditioned,” Montanez said. “People lose over 100 pounds, the weight-loss, the fitness benefit from our gym in such a short period of time is unbelievable.”

UFC Gym trainer Quinten Weathersbe has been coaching for 13 years but has been teaching the MMA class at this particular gym for a year now. He said even some fighters come over to the gym to get ready for MMA fights while doing some conditioning classes. 

“MMA classes have more contact,” he said. “You spar, there’s more technique. In the fitness classes you are pretty much here to burn calories. A lot of people are not here necessarily to learn techniques or to hit; they’re just here to burn calories and get healthy.” 

On the self-defense side, gym members have the option to choose between MMA, muay thai and Brazilian jiujitsu. 

“Our self-defense side (of classes) is a little more slow-down,” he added. “You are learning the technique, you are learning how to do the hits, how to throw punches, how to block.” 

According to Montanez, the most popular class offered at the UFC Gym is the muay thai class. 

“A lot of people come in, it’s (an easy class) to grasp,” he said.

Even though he teaches classes on the fitness end of the spectrum, he is a student in the self-defense classes. 

“I let the professionals do the teaching, and I join the punch,” he said.

The gym used to include a heart rate monitor that all gym members could use to track their fitness levels. 

“With that data, we have seen that they are burning at least an average of 800 calories per class,” Montanez added. “So, if you come here three times a week, you are going to see results at this gym, and that is only three times a week.” 

For the MMA classes, students are engaging in a full-body workout, as they have a variety of movements that require the use of arm, core and leg muscles. 

Membership rates vary between $39, which includes equipment only, to $149, which includes no commitments and access to all of the classes offered at the gym. 

“I would recommend all classes to all level of fitness,” Montanez said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s your first time being active, or if you’ve been a forever athlete, it always is going to be a challenging workout.”