The New Wave In Fitness Training
By Nicole Kato
While some people mourned the loss of Pipeline Café earlier this year, many are now thrilled to know that an ultimate family fitness center has taken its place in Kakaako.
UFC Gym BJ Penn opened its doors in May, but didn’t hold its official grand opening until last weekend. Renowned fighters Chuck Liddell, Anthony Pettis and Brendan Schaub were among those making guest appearances at the health club and rubbing shoulders with fight fans hoping to catch the new wave in fitness training.
Penn, the former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight champion, was also in attendance. Although not originally sold on the concept of turning the club site into a family fitness center that bears his name, Penn says he eventually warmed up to the idea.
“I was thinking, ‘Pipeline?’ It’s not even that big,” recalls the man often referred to as “The Prodigy.” “(Still) I knew this was going to be a good gym.”
UFC Gym has locations in California and has proved to be the future of fitness. Its expansion to Hawaii will undoubtedly shake up Oahu’s health club scene.
“It’s fitness for everybody with martial arts and self-defense. It’s not just about competition,” Penn explains. “It’s like 24-Hour Fitness with martial arts and different types of training, and different types of machines that you can use. It’s definitely, ‘train differently.’”
Liddell, who’s no stranger to Hawaii, says the quality of equipment adds to the credibility of the facility. “It’s putting everything together into one,” says the retired UFC fighter. “You got your MMA, kids classes. They got all those things and you have a gym, so you don’t have to have two separate memberships.”
The family-friendly establishment also features a UFC Kids Gym, private kids training area, youth fitness classes, active fitness gaming, youth mixed martial arts training and what the gym calls “ultimate birthday parties.”
And there’s a diverse array of activities for adults, as well, with extensive Muay Thai, kickboxing, jiu jitsu, women’s self-defense, team-oriented Daily Ultimate Training, a group fitness studio, shock yoga and, yes, even hot hula.
Even Penn is using the gym these days as a training site for his Dec. 8 fight against rising star Rory MacDonald in the main event of UFC.
“When I’m in Honolulu, a couple times a month, I’m always at UFC Gym,” says Penn, who still calls Hilo home.
His training and dedication are paying off, and Penn oozes confidence going into his bout against MacDonald.
“I think coming into this fight people are going to see me a lot bigger and a lot stronger than they ever have, so I’m very excited about that,” he says. “I think it’s going to make a difference.”
For more information on UFC Gym BJ Penn, visit ufcgym.com or call 672-2655.
