The Fox Den is about to kick its way into YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 martial arts and combat sports scene.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a northern animal and foxes are playful and scrappy and fun and we feel that represents who we are,SA国际影视传媒� said Celia Harding-Russell, one of the gymSA国际影视传媒檚 directors and an instructor of kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ).

The citySA国际影视传媒檚 newest gym, located in the old Second Hand Swap Shop on Franklin Avenue, is making its final preparations before opening the first training sessions for students in early June.

It will offer courses in kickboxing, BJJ and cardio kickboxing, a form of group fitness that pairs the motions of kickboxing with a high-intensity cardiovascular workout.

From COVID crisis to opportunity

The four directors of the gym initially met at the former Arctic Combat Fitness and Mixed Martial Arts gym in Kam Lake, which closed in March 2020 amid the COVID-19 lockdown.

SA国际影视传媒淲e werenSA国际影视传媒檛 the owners of that gym. We really wanted a place to train and we felt we could do a good job of creating a well-organized system of teaching martial arts to students,SA国际影视传媒� said Harding-Russell, who along with Kim Gibson, Derek Falk and Yun Ni began putting together plans to open their own facility.

Last fall they developed curricula for the three disciplines they will teach and then began searching for a space a few months ago.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 been a waiting game finding a location, and we were lucky to find this beautiful spot,SA国际影视传媒� said Gibson, who teaches kickboxing and cardio kickboxing.

Both Gibson and Harding-Russell learned kickboxing SA国际影视传媒� or Muay Thai SA国际影视传媒� in Thailand. When they arenSA国际影视传媒檛 blocking blows or kicking, they work full time in Yellowknife schools.

All levels welcome

All disciplines at Fox Den can start at the beginner stage and go up to advanced. Falk, a multi-skilled coach, can train students in BJJ up to the black belt level.

The gymSA国际影视传媒檚 two other coaches are Landen Powell (BJJ and kickboxing) and Ryan Miller (kickboxing).

The DenSA国际影视传媒檚 mixture of martial arts will make it the only gym in Yellowknife to offer kickboxing and jiu-jitsu in one place, as only trains in BJJ.

So far 27 students have officially registered for classes in June, with 40 more ready to sign up, Gibson said.

Kickboxing and jiu-jitsu being full contact sports, the directors had to seek approval from the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer to offer the training.

SA国际影视传媒淪tudents will be in bubbles of four for at least six weeks,SA国际影视传媒� said Gibson. SA国际影视传媒淵ou wonSA国际影视传媒檛 (spar) with anyone outside your bubble other than the coaches, who must wear masks. Otherwise it will be regular sparring and you have to wear a mouth guard, shin guards, head guard and gloves.SA国际影视传媒�

Community support packs a punch

The directors emphasize that support from old students and coaches and from the community has helped them realize their plans for the Den. Volunteers have contributed many hours of work for the construction of the gym space.

SA国际影视传媒�(Carpenter) Kat McGurk has been a great help with the construction and the flooring,SA国际影视传媒� said Gibson.

Their application to the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) fund was unsuccessful because they were deemed SA国际影视传媒渕arket disruptorsSA国际影视传媒� as the second jiu-jitsu gym in town.

Gibson and her team are excitedly counting down the days until they can throw on their boxing pads and begin training feisty students.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be great. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 good to finally do something instead of just taking about it.SA国际影视传媒�