Prisma Business Center in the western San José suburb of Escazú is home to the first kickboxing gym in Costa Rica thanks to 9Round‘s decision to set up here.

The U.S. franchise offers a patented system of nine training stations created by a professional fighter. The system includes boxing and kickboxing circuits interspersed with functional, interval and cardiovascular training, according to the franchisor.

The workout can burn more than 500 calories in 30 minutes.

“It’s a very innovative fitness kickboxing workout, with no class schedule, with different daily exercises that work all the muscles of the body in 30 minutes, and includes a personal trainer,” explained Gerardo Alfaro, director of 9Round Costa Rica.

Each 9Round client has a cardiac monitor, boxing gloves, bandages and a case for all these implements.

9Round members will also receive nutritional guidance to reduce body fat and strengthen muscles.

The franchise operates in 13 countries, with more than 570 locations worldwide.

9Round is the latest addition to new exercise options in the Central Calle, such as Lindora Athletic, which also opened this year and offers resistance training, high intensity interval training and other unique workouts.

The franchise said they plan to invest in five more outlets in different parts of Costa Rica over the next three years.

The Escazú gym opened today, Wednesday, November 1, with a staff of four. Each new site requires a start-up investment of US$75,000 – 120,000, said the company.