What Your First Rise & Strike Class Actually Looks Like

Most people who come to their first Rise & Strike class are a little nervous. That's normal. You're walking into a boxing gym for the first time, maybe you've never thrown a punch, and you're not sure if you'll be able to keep up. So let me walk you through it, start to finish, so you know exactly what you're getting into.

Before you even arrive

Wear comfortable clothes you can move in and bring water. We train on the mats, so shoes come off at the edge — wear ones you can slip on and off easily, and you'll be in socks on the mat. You don't need gloves to get started; when you're ready for your own pair, we'll help you pick the right ones. Come a few minutes early so you're not rushing.

We're inside Flow Academy BJJ Riverside at 3490 Madison St. There's parking right there. When you walk in, someone's going to greet you by name and show you around. You won't be standing in a corner wondering where to go.

The first few minutes

Before class starts, you'll meet your coach and we'll talk for a minute. I want to know a little about you, how you're feeling that day, anything I should know. This isn't a test. It's just so I can coach you right. Then we get started.

The class itself

We move through the same stations every time, so once you've done it once, you always know what's coming. We start with an easy warm-up — loosening up, getting the blood moving, waking the body up. Nothing crazy. Everybody goes at their own pace, including you.

From there we hit footwork. Boxing lives in the feet, so we drill stepping, pivoting, and shifting your weight with control. Then mitt work, where you throw punches and I catch them on the focus mitts, one on one. Then bag work — you and the heavy bag, where you get to really dig in and let it out. We do balance and coordination drills in there too, working on staying steady and quick on your feet.

Here's the part I want you to hear clearly: nobody gets hit. Rise & Strike is completely non-contact. There's no sparring. You punch mitts and bags, never a person, and no person ever punches you. If someone told you boxing means getting hit, that's not what we do here.

When you need to rest, you rest

You are in charge of your own pace the whole time. If you need to sit down and catch your breath, you sit down. If a drill isn't working for your body that day, I'll change it. There's no pushing through pain, no keeping up with anybody else. The person next to you might be on their third year and you're on your first day — and nobody cares. We all started somewhere.

How it ends

We finish every class the same way: cool down, stretch it out, and come together as a group. This is the community circle. We check in, share a laugh, and remind each other why we showed up. A lot of people tell me this is their favorite part — not because the workout's over, but because of the people standing in the circle with them.

Bring someone with you

If you've got a spouse or caregiver, bring them. They're welcome to stay and watch or jump in and train right beside you. You don't have to do this alone.

Come see for yourself

Your first class is free. No commitment, no pressure — just come see how it feels. Call us at (951) 337-3781 or fill out the form on our site and we'll get you booked.

We show up. We work hard. We support each other. We rise together. Come do it with us.