If you’re tired of the same old workout at the gym and you want to be challenged physically and mentally, Fonseca Martial Arts has just the class for you. FMA offers women interested in taking their workout to the next level, a high-energy, empowering women’s karate and self defense class.

The karate/self defense classes are taught by FMA owner and chief instructor Sensei John Fonseca and Sensei Arturo Ferreira, a black belt in Shotokan Karate, who is also trained in self defense. The class is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Mother of two and former couch potato Kathy Jen considers herself an addict to the twice-a-week workout. “I was not a big exerciser before I took this class because nothing kept my interest. What I love about this workout is that it’s fun and different every time. And, I feel more confident in my ability to defend myself if ever I needed to.” She laughs that people frequently comment on her toned arms. “It didn’t take long for me to see big changes in my body. I’ve got muscles now where I didn’t know I even had them before.”

The karate/self defense classes do not incorporate belt rankings, but are geared toward building strength, speed and coordination. “In this class women learn basic karate kicks and punches, along with confidence-building self defense tecniques,” explains Fonseca, World Karate Confederation World Champion and two-time Pan American Games Gold Medal Winner. “It’s ideal for women who seek stronger, more flexible bodies and want to challenge themselves physically. The mental focus involved also is a strong component of the class.”

Anna Pressman, mother of two and karate black belt, prefers the FMA class to traditional kickboxing classes. “This class is better because the techniques you learn are real. You’re not dancing around throwing out-of-control punches and kicks. As for the self defense portion, the methods are drilled into you because you’re practicing them over and over. Other short-lived self defense classes don’t work as well because you don’t have a chance to really learn the techniques.”