You're going to be nervous. That's completely normal. Almost everyone who walks into their first 42 Combat class is nervous. They're worried they'll look uncoordinated, that they won't be able to keep up, that everyone else will be experienced fighters and they'll be the only one fumbling through combinations.
None of that is true. And here's the thing nobody tells you: kickboxing is actually one of the easiest group fitness formats to jump into as a beginner. You're hitting a bag, not a person. The moves are intuitive (you already know how to punch, even if you've never done it with gloves on). The music is loud enough that nobody is paying attention to you anyway. And within about ten minutes, you'll be so focused on the workout that you'll forget you were nervous at all.
Here's the full rundown of what to expect so you can walk in with zero surprises.
What 42 Combat Actually Is (And What It Isn't)
42 Combat is our signature cardio kickboxing class. It blends boxing and kickboxing technique with HIIT-style interval training. You'll use heavy bags, gloves, weights, bikes, ropes, and other equipment across rounds that alternate between striking combinations and strength or cardio bursts.
What it is NOT: hand-to-hand combat. You are never sparring with another person. You will not get hit. You're working on a bag the entire time. The "combat" in the name refers to the boxing and kickboxing movements, not fighting each other. This is important to understand because it's the number one misconception that keeps people from trying it.
The burn: Expect to torch 500 to 800 calories per session depending on your effort level and body weight. That's comparable to running 5 to 8 miles, but way more fun and way less boring. For more on the calorie-burning science, read our deep dive on kickboxing for weight loss.
Watch a Class Before You Go
If you want to see exactly what a session looks like before you show up, here's a real 42 Combat class on our YouTube channel.
What to Bring
12 oz Boxing Gloves
REQUIRED. Available at any sporting goods store.
Hand Wraps
Optional but great for wrist support.
Water Bottle
You will need this. Trust us.
Cross-Trainers
Supportive athletic shoes. Not running shoes.
Wear comfortable workout clothes that let you move freely. If you have long hair, tie it back. And arrive 10 to 15 minutes early so you can meet your coach, get set up, and ask any questions before the class starts.
How the Class Flows
Warm-Up
5 to 10 minutes of dynamic movement to get your blood flowing. Jumping jacks, high knees, arm circles, light shadowboxing. Your coach guides every move.
Technique Breakdown
Your coach demonstrates the basic strikes: jab, cross, hook, uppercut, front kick, roundhouse. Don't worry about mastering them on day one. Focus on getting the general motion. The technique gets sharper every class.
The Rounds
This is the main event. You cycle through rounds of punch and kick combinations on the bag, mixed with strength exercises using weights and cardio bursts on bikes and ropes. High energy, loud music, your coach calling out combinations. It goes by fast.
Cool Down
5 minutes of stretching to help your muscles recover. This is also when you realize how much fun you just had and start planning when you're coming back.
The Concerns You Have (And Why They Don't Apply)
"I'm not coordinated."
Coordination is a skill, not a talent. Nobody is coordinated on day one. Your brain and body figure it out faster than you think. By your third or fourth class you'll be throwing combinations without thinking about it. The fact that you're not coordinated yet is exactly the reason to start, not the reason to stay home.
"I'm out of shape."
So were a lot of our most dedicated members when they started. Our coaches modify every single exercise in real time for your level. If you need to go at 60% intensity your first few classes, that's perfectly fine. Nobody will judge you. Your fitness will build faster than you expect.
"I'm too old for this."
We have members in their 50s, 60s, and 70s in 42 Combat. The modifications work for every age and every body. If you can stand and throw a punch, you can do this class. Age is not the barrier people think it is.
"Everyone will be watching me mess up."
They won't. In the middle of a round, with music blasting and their own lungs burning, nobody is looking at you. They're focused on their own bag. And even if someone does notice you're new, the culture here is to encourage, not judge. New members get high-fives, not stares.
The best first-timer advice we can give: Tell your coach it's your first class. They will keep an extra eye on your form, give you cues between rounds, and make sure you feel comfortable the entire time. Our trainers are genuinely good at this. It's what they do every day.
Why People Get Hooked
Here's what we hear from members after their first few weeks. The stress relief is unlike anything else. Punching a heavy bag after a hard day at work or a frustrating morning with the kids is genuinely therapeutic in a way that a treadmill never will be. The full-body workout is incredibly efficient. Arms, legs, core, back, shoulders, everything works in a single session. The confidence shift is real. Learning to throw a proper cross or a roundhouse kick does something to your self-image that's hard to describe until you feel it. And the community pulls you in. When you're dripping sweat alongside five other people who are working just as hard, bonds form quickly.
Most people who try 42 Combat once come back. Most people who come back three times are hooked for good. The 21-Day Kickstart includes unlimited access to 42 Combat along with all our other classes, so you have plenty of time to go from nervous beginner to confident regular.
Ready to Hit the Bag?
Every expert was a beginner once. Your first class is waiting at our La Quinta, Palm Springs, or Mont Belvieu studio.
Contact Us to Get Started