CKO Kickboxing, one of the fastest growing health fitness franchises, will open its newest cardio kickboxing gym at 1700 Route 35 in Middletown, N.J. on Saturday, January 26.

The high quality, cross training gym provides a family friendly setting to Monmouth County residents who are looking for an alternative to Pilates, yoga, martial arts and spinning classes.

The Grand Opening features free items for children and discounts on memberships, and gloves and shirts. The public is invited to come in gym clothes to try a class with a live deejay, between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

“We’re excited to offer cardio boxing classes in Middletown,” said Anthony Orlando, Franchisee of CKO Kickboxing Middletown.

“I have a doctorate in physical therapy, and John Colao, my partner, has a financial background. We've known each other since we were kids and both shared a passion for sports and fitness.

We combined our professional backgrounds with our passion for fitness and invested in a franchise that we believe is going to change the face of fitness in the Monmouth County area.”

The 3,300 square-foot facility features 48 heavy bags and will be open 7 days a week. Personal training and nutrition programs are available.

“We started this franchise in the Monmouth County region because we found that many people were frustrated with the lack of results that other forms of fitness. This routine is a personalized fool-proof system that will continuously result in exercise adherence, which in turn provides attainable and measurable goals that produce positive results and a positive self image. All you have to do is show up and we do the rest,” he said.

CKO Kickboxing is effective for men and women, old and young.

“The beauty of our exercise classes is that anybody can do it. Since it focuses more on the fitness aspect rather than the martial art, it is not intimidating. If you are a fitness newbie or kickboxing aficionado, we will be able to tailor a routine to your comfort level. It is this integration that allows an individual to maximize their fitness potential and minimize the risk of injury. Add upbeat music to the mix and you have a fun, effective and safe workout,” he said.

Kickboxing is a cardio workout that will help people lose weight.

“We provide a full-body workout. Depending on your size and the intensity of your workout, research states that you will be able to burn between 800 and 1,200 calories in a one-hour session. Many routines we use have been scientifically researched. For example, we pioneered the use of heavy bags, wheareas other gyms kicked and punched air. The resistance provided by heavy bags allows for better muscle tone and burning calories at a faster rate,” Orlando said.

The two friends started taking kickboxing classes in 2011 and quickly realized they wanted to open a CKO Kickboxing franchise because of the warm, family-like caring atmosphere.

“We were instantly hooked. The atmosphere was constantly energizing and everybody who worked there would know you by name.  We both agreed that we had never been to a gym so passionate and personalized like CKO,” he said.

CKO Kickboxing will post its kickboxing classes online.

For information about CKO Kickboxing-Middletown, call 732-671-4CKO, email AnthonyOrlando@ckokickboxing.com, or go to http://www.ckokickboxing.com/middletown.html