Young Entrepreneur Series: New Kelowna gym kicking it differently

Arlen Mergel has a passion for helping people with their health.

His new kickboxing gym in Kelowna, 9Round Fitness, is changing the game.

Their workouts are only 30 minutes long and you can show up whenever you want, without having to sign up or schedule a time.

They opened on Pandosy Street on December 19th and since then they’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback from members.

“We’re definitely a different style of gym in the city and we’re kind of setting a standard,” he said. “Your workout is different every single day so you never hit stagnation, plateaus or anything like that.

“You're always going to have a fast, effective workout.”

Each member gets a personalized diet plan and nutrition coaching is included as well.

Mergel said the program is also easier on your joints, so you won’t risk injuring anything. And when your boxing, Mergel will hold the punching pads.

“Kickboxing is such a timeless, proven method for health and fitness and the nice part is about this is you kick me and you never get kicked back,” Mergel said, laughing.

When you’re working out at 9Round, you can wear a heart rate monitor and the updated results show up on a TV in the gym. If your heart rate gets too high, the trainers will get you to take an “active break” to bring you back down again.

“We’re not going to give you anything that’s overwhelming,” Mergel said.

The 30-year-old said he always struggled with his weight, so he knows what it’s like to start a new program.

“I’m down about 100 pounds myself so I know what it’s like to struggle and be confused at a gym,” he said. “You walk into a big box gym and sure, they get you a membership but after a week, you say, ‘What am I doing?’

“They give you instructions on the machines but that’s not going to give you a beneficial workout”

Mergel, who was also a Special Olympics coach, has been coaching fitness for the past five years.

He originally went to school to be a power engineer but after working in the oil fields for five years, he decided to make a change.

“You can’t help anyone that way and you can’t actually make a positive influence on people’s lives,” he said of his former career.

Co-owner Marley Holowach, 31, said visiting a kickboxing gym might seem intimidating, but it’s really not as scary as it seems. Plus, the perks are pretty obvious.

“It’s really empowering. You just feel really strong and tough afterwards,” she said.

Before taking up kickboxing, she had worked out almost everyday for two years.

“I felt like when I did my first 9round workout that I’d never really stepped foot in a gym before just because the cardio is so amazing,” she said. “You’re leaving here sweating.”

Despite your fitness level, the trainers will cater to you.

Mergel said he has a regular client who’s a 63-year-old woman, and she can really throw a punch.

“I’ll sit right down with her and I’ll say, ‘Let’s keep it going, you’re doing awesome,’ and she goes so hard,” he said.

On the other hand, there are also 18-year-old guys who prefer someone to keep them accountable (drill sergeant style). Mergel is down for that too.

Not only are Mergel and Holowach giving back to clients, but also to the community. They allow five people to sign up to join them at City Park to pick garbage for four hours. For their help, the owners waive two weeks of gym payments.

They also help those recovering from addictions get into to a healthier lifestyle.

If you’re interested in 9Round, you can sign up online or just drop in to get a free workout anytime.