How I got into fitness:

Like most teenage girls, I worried about my weight. I played softball, but also ate badly.  I use to jog to lose weight, but it didn't help and it was boring. When I was 14, I started training with free-weights using dumbbells, barbell plates, and a weight bench with the neighborhood guys. That was it for me. I fell in love. I liked the feeling that came with strength training. It helped me in all aspects of my life. I had better control of my weight; I could lift things without help; and I had better endurance when I played sports. 

 

When I was 18, my sister and I signed up at Gold's Gym. Even though I knew how to use free weights, I felt lost in the corporate gym environment because the free weights were located in the area filled with intimidating, testosterone-driven men. I ended up on a treadmill and hated it. Luckily, a friend from school worked out at the same gym and showed me how to use some of the machines, but I didn't like waiting for an open station. I craved my free-weights! The hunger motivated me to enter the “Man Zone” and I followed my own weight lifting program to get my training done in a timely manner. 

 

Why UKB?

I had my own basic weight training equipment at home. After my first child, being a mother, working full-time, and going to school allowed no extra time for a workout at the gym. I also wasn't comfortable leaving my daughter in the gym childcare center. Instead, I did my strength training at home, followed up with Billy Blanks cardio kickboxing videos. It was the only high impact aerobic exercise that made me sweat in a matter of 5 minutes. I loved the intensity of his workouts. 

 

My husband’s best friend was launching his first cardio kickboxing class at his new gym in Redlands. He begged me to participate to fill the class on its opening night. I was one of the first people to participate in the first UKB cardio kickboxing class. I fell in love with it. It was intense, challenging, and best of all, I was surrounded by other people who were just as excited and exhausted as I was. I became a member that night, and, within 4 months, I became an instructor. 
 

What motivated you take on UKB as the new owner?  

The current owner at the time, Robert Dowell, a 4th Degree MMA black belt, wanted to sell the cardio kickboxing portion of his business. He wanted to focus his efforts on mixed martial arts.  Robert was willing  to sell on the condition that I agreed to serve as the principal manager.  He knew how much I loved cardio kickboxing and how committed I was to ensuring that the other members had a positive, quality experience.  I responded with an unequivocal yes! This place was special and I was addicted to its atmosphere. No matter my mood upon entering, I always left feeling improved. Following my transition to ownership, I became determined to seek new and creative approaches to training in an effort to grow my client base.    UKB has grown into a powerhouse in the Inland Empire,  offering a unique medley of  classes.  We will continue to work hard to provide you with  safe, technically sound, challenging , and fun.