March: the month when your New Year’s resolutions have pretty much been buried among, and melted away with, the winter snow. If you’re someone whose resolutions disappear as the weather gets colder and trips to the gym get boring, Worcester’s newest gym will keep you on your toes.

“We are a 30-minute, full-body, kickboxing center,” said Sheri Barrett, owner of the newest 9Round franchise, located at 65 James St., Worcester. (There are also 9Round gyms in Millbury and Westminster.) “It’s like Curves, but on steroids.”

Like Curves – the women-only, 30-minute circuit workout – 9Round relies on circuit training to give its co-ed members a complete workout. 9Round is comprised of nine rounds with a new round starting every three minutes at a new station. Each station consists of a fast-moving and intense exercise for 21?2 minutes followed by 30 seconds of rest and is equipped with a trainer to help members along the way. Rounds one and two will get your heart rate up with some strengthening exercises; rounds three through eight focus on kickboxing fitness and bag work; and round nine is reserved for ab work.

“It’s quick, fun and exciting,” said Barrett, adding that the workouts change daily to keep members engaged. “You learn a little bit of martial arts, a little bit of boxing.”

Barrett said that members shouldn’t feel intimidated, as the bags are the only things that get hit and working by yourself at each station allows you to go at your own pace. In fact, 9Round was founded by World Champion Kickboxer Shannon “The Cannon” Hudson in 2008 as a way for the average person to experience and enjoy the benefits of boxing and kickboxing without getting hit. What resulted was 9Round’s kickboxing-themed, proprietary fitness program. Hudson began franchising gyms in 2009. There are 456 locations across nine countries, and that number continues to grow, thanks to entrepreneurs like Barrett.

Barrett, who is studying for her second-degree black belt in Krav Maga, attended her first class in Westminster and was immediately hooked. “I was amazed by how many people in such a small town were there having such a good time,” she said. After two months, she decided to open her own franchise in Worcester.

“I’m not the only person who lives here and whose time in limited,” Barrett said, as to why she chose Worcester. “One thing that makes 9Round great is that you can just show up and jump right in. You don’t have to worry about being late and missing the start time of a class.”

Barrett’s decision to open a franchise in Worcester was quickly validated when more than 100 people signed up for memberships before the gym’s February opening.

“It’s a great place to let go for 30 minutes,” she said, adding that cell phones aren’t allowed in the gym so members can unplug during their workout. “Come down and try it. You will be addicted! Just bring water and an open mind.”

For more information, visit 9round.com/fitness/Worcester-MA-x9829.

By Kimberly Dunbar