CKO Kickboxing moves to larger health fitness center

FRANKLIN — Due to the growing number of new memberships, CKO Kickboxing had to move to a larger health fitness center. Grand Opening festivities were held on Saturday, May 18 at CKO Kickboxing-Franklin at 44 Ed Mitchell Avenue, adjacent to Shop Rite.

There were plenty of activities for children, including a balloon artist on stilts, face painting and games. Radio station WNNJ 103.7 also broadcasted live.

The newly designed, spacious 8,700 square foot gym with 50 heavy bags replaces the 2,700 square-foot gym with 27 heavy bags. A free child-care center is always available during morning classes Monday through Friday and many evening classes to accommodate stay-at-home moms as well as commuters. The new facility will feature men's and women's locker rooms with showers. Early morning kickboxing classes have been added.

CKO Kickboxing-Franklin will be open seven days a week and will have classes at all times of the day that are convenient to everyone.

New, low-impact classes are also being offered for seniors, people recovering from injuries and others who want to take part in an easier class that lasts 45 minutes instead of an hour.

"Our membership was growing. We had added as many classes as we could. We were hitting full capacity. It was getting tight. It was time to move," according to franchisees Darlene Pallay and Joe Pallay. "We are off to a great start in the new location. People have joined because they love the new space which has more parking, more facilities and more classes."

Not only is Darlene the co-owner, she also started as a customer.

"I was a stay at home mom with three kids. I was 50 pounds overweight. My mother had uterine cancer because of her weight and I thought 'That could be me. I need to do this.' I came to CKO Kickboxing and was hooked in my first class. I lost 50 pounds," she said.

Her husband, Joe, was an excavating contractor. When business was slow, he decided opening a CKO Kickboxing franchise would be a good move. They also are the franchisees for CKO Kickboxing in Augusta.

Members can go to either location: Franklin or Augusta for unlimited classes and childcare.

For more information, visit www.ckokickboxing.com.