Maria Campanella’s Kickboxing Classes Thrive at Oceanside's Friedberg JCC

Visitors to the Friedberg JCC in Oceanside are getting their kicks out of a fun class that has been going strong for about eight years under the guidance of a seasoned fitness instructor.

Maria Campanella, 52, who has a background in various martial arts and dance disciplines, has been making waves with her dynamic kickboxing classes at the JCC since 2016.

Campanella has been committed to bringing the benefits of kickboxing to a diverse group of participants, from teens to seasoned athletes to seniors, and those looking for a new way to stay fit. She has been described as running the class like a boxing boot camp.

Campanella’s journey to the world of fitness and martial arts began long before she started teaching at the JCC. She holds a black belt in Kenpo jiujitsu, and has trained extensively in tai chi. Kenpo is a stand-up martial art that incorporates Japanese and Okinawan martial arts, such as karate and judo, along with Chinese influences. Tai chi is a Chinese martial art that involves a series of slow, gentle movements and meditative breathing.

Her expertise also extends beyond martial arts, encompassing teaching English and English as a Second Language. But her passion for kickboxing and tai chi led her to shift her focus from academia to fitness.

“I ended up dropping teaching, and I stayed home with my kids and started doing kickboxing and tai chi,” Campanella, who lives in Miller Place, in Suffolk County, said. “I got a black belt in Kenpo jiujitsu and met up with other professors, who introduced me to the Parkinson’s and kickboxing world.”

Campanella’s weekly schedule is booked up, starting on Mondays, when she works with personal clients, followed by a kickboxing class at the JCC for those with Parkinson’s disease. She then holds physical therapy sessions, teaches dance in Syosset, and instructs an online boxing class through the New York Institute of Technology.

Tuesdays are equally packed, featuring personal training, Parkinson’s and general population kickboxing classes, tai chi for those with Parkinson’s, and a martial arts class in Merrick. The evening ends with a special-needs boxing class and dance instruction.

“Wednesdays and Thursdays are my lighter days,” Campanella said. “But they still involve personal clients, teaching online classes for NYIT, and dance lessons. Fridays are a bit more relaxed, allowing me some time at home before heading to the dance studio.”

Her kickboxing class at the JCC is known for its energetic and inclusive atmosphere. Participants of all ages and fitness levels learn technique and practice tai chi as well. The class is intended not only to improve physical fitness but also to enhance coordination.

“It’s definitely getting popular,” Campanella said. “It’s a great workout. People learn some good skills and coordination. It’s good for everyone. Hitting heavy bags is high-impact, so you’re prone to injuries, but aside from that, it does (get) you in great shape. It gets out a lot of, you know, energy, aggression, and every emotion.”

Her dedication to her students is evident. It’s often over an hour’s drive from Miller Place to the JCC, and she juggles a schedule that spans multiple locations and client needs. Despite the challenges, Campanella’s passion for fitness and her students keeps her motivated.

“I took a boxing class and a yoga class because I needed to get fit,” she said. “I had three kids, and after I had my third, I took this boxing class, and I couldn’t even do a push-up. I was not comfortable and confident in my body, and I was determined. I went from barely doing elevated push-ups. I just loved the way I felt like (taking) everything out on a boxing bag.”

Balancing her demanding schedule, Campanella also manages her responsibilities as a mother. Her eldest daughter lives in Brooklyn, her son is attending NYU, and her youngest just graduated from high school. Her husband runs an auto body shop, where her youngest son works.

As boxing and kickboxing continue to gain popularity at the JCC, Campanella remains committed to expanding her reach and helping more people discover the benefits of these workouts.

“It’s the only class that I try to do on a consistent basis,” said Toni Corchado, the director of youth services at the center, who has taken Campanella’s class for the past year.

She also teaches dance at the JCC, and many of her students want to get the word out on all that Campanella and the center have to offer.

“There are people out there who are interested in the community,” said lifelong Oceanside resident Karen Pinsky, who takes Campanella’s dancing class. “I think a lot of them don’t know about it. I think they need to get the word out.”