Health & Fitness

PRO - :LE

Toughing It Together

Kickboxing

instructor

Kristy Levy of

Berkley

Couples
kickbox to
build strength
and enjoy its
therapeutic
benefit.

Robin Schwartz

Special to the Jewish News

I

f couples who play together
stay together, what about
couples who spar together?
"They go far together," says
Jeffrey Freeman, 36, of West
Bloomfield.
The criminal tax attorney
and his wife, Maria, 35, love to
throw jabs at each other and
even a few kicks during private
kickboxing sessions at the Jewish
Community Center in Oak Park.
The couple laces up their gloves
and works out twice a week with
the Center's assistant fitness
director and personal trainer,
Kristy Levy of Berkley, a feisty
amateur fighter and kickboxer
who seems to have boundless
amounts of energy.
"It's like a mini-date Jeffrey
says. "We get our stress out, it's
healthy and it's a great strength
building, resistance-type work-
out!'

Jeffrey and Maria Freeman of West Bloomfield

"I find that working out
together, not only are we doing
something that's really good for
us, but we get a chance to talk
and catch up about our day,' adds
Maria.
The couple's two children,
Henry, 4, and Jack, 2, play at the
JCC's day care while their parents
duke it out during the hourlong
sessions. The workouts involve
performing alternate combina-
tions of kicks and punches, while
Levy wears mitts on her hands or
holds up a bag as a target.
The exercises can be chal-
lenging, but Levy can adjust the
workout to match each person's
skill level. The various moves are
designed to train different mus-
cles and increase the heart rate.
"You tone and you burn more
calories and it works faster than
most exercises:' says Levy "It's a
great cardio workout!'
"We've both lost a lot of weight,
and we really feel a difference,"
says Jeffrey. "We'd rather spend
our money doing this than going
to the movies!'
Levy says there's been a sud-
den influx of young Jewish
couples signing up to take her
classes. She's not sure exactly
why, but she says in addition to
the physical benefits, it's a great
relationship-building exercise.
"It's very therapeutic and it's
like a night out;' Levy says. "I
teach a lot of self-esteem and

----4
empowerment, and
it's a good thing
to do with your
spoue!'
Jackie Weisman,
34, and her hus-
band David, 38, of
West Bloomfield
are another couple
who kick-box
together twice a
week at the JCC.
Their son, Aiden,
2, also goes to the
day care while
mom and dad
exercise.
"It's more moti-
vating to work
out together:' says
Jackie and Dave Weisman of West Bloomfield
David. "I think it
helps both of us
because we push each other!'
That's what Levy loves to hear.
"I know for sure that twice a
She originally set out to pursue a
week we'll be able to spend some career in nursing at Grand Valley
time together and exercise adds
State University in Allendale,
Jackie. "It's invigorating; I feel so
but instead honed in on fitness
much stronger!'
and personal training and never

•41AAalew

Kristy's Detail

November 30 • 2006 iti

looked back. She joined the JCC
staff a little more than a year ago.
"What motivates me is helping
people she says. "You feel pow-
erful physically and then you feel
powerful mentally." E

Her certifications: American Council on Exercise, group exercise instructor, continuing educa-
tion provider (1996); Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, personal trainer (1996); Mad
Dogg Spinning, spinning instructor (2005); Levy also taught for 15 years at the kickboxing stu-
dios she co-owned with her ex-husband, Ken Levy.
Age range of clients: Men and women, ages 8-70.
Workout fees: $40-$90 per hour for personal training depending on the location and type of
instruction.
Schedule: Monday-Wednesday 8 a.m.-4 p.m•, Thursday 2-10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Contact At the Oak Park JCC, 15110 W.10 Mile Road — (248) 967-2218 or klevy@jccdet.pr

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