When you step into IMPACT Kickboxing & Fitness in Lakeland, you quickly realize this isn’t just another gym. It’s a space built with heart, purpose, and a mission that goes far beyond physical fitness. For owner Whitney Paul, IMPACT is about community, connection, and creating a safe place where people can grow stronger—both mentally and physically.
Originally from the small town of Winchendon, Massachusetts, Whitney grew up surrounded by family. With roots deeply planted in a close-knit community, she carried that same sense of togetherness with her when she made the big move to Florida. This past October marked one year of living in Lakeland, where she now resides near downtown with her two beloved dogs, Callie Mae (9) and Mia Rose (5).
Whether she’s walking the girls downtown for lunch, spending sunny afternoons floating in the pool, or visiting local breweries (a favorite pastime she enjoyed back home), one thing has always remained constant: her passion for kickboxing.
The Inspiration Behind IMPACT
Before moving to Lakeland, Whitney did what many of us do when relocating—she searched for the things that make a new place feel like home. The first thing she Googled?
Kickboxing.
To her surprise, Lakeland didn’t have what she was looking for. And after nearly 10 years of kickboxing, she knew she couldn’t imagine life without it. That realization sparked something bigger: if it didn’t exist here yet, she would create it.
Whitney met with Dawn, the owner of Transformations—where she first began kickboxing—and learned how that gym became more than a workout space. It became a family. That’s when the vision for IMPACT truly began.
A Space for Strength and Mental Healing
IMPACT was born from personal experience and deep resilience. Kickboxing became a lifeline through unimaginable loss, including the passing of Whitney’s father in 2019 and the loss of two cousins shortly after.
For Whitney, kickboxing wasn’t just exercise—it was therapy.
“It keeps my mind from wandering,” she shares. “For an hour, I can focus on the next punch or kick.”
That’s the foundation of IMPACT: creating a place where people come not only to train, but also to heal. A place where mental health is just as important as physical health. A place where members can feel safe, supported, and empowered.
What Makes IMPACT Unique
While IMPACT delivers intense, effective workouts, the true difference lies in its culture.
Here, you’re not just another number.
You’re a person first.
Members come for the workout, but they stay for the connections. The studio has become a space where friendships form, confidence grows, and people leave class saying the words every instructor hopes to hear:
“I needed that.”
“That was fun.”
For Whitney, hearing those words is the most fulfilling part—knowing she may have helped someone turn their day around, even in the smallest way.
Kickboxing for Every Body
One of the biggest misconceptions about kickboxing is that you have to be experienced or in perfect shape to start.
IMPACT welcomes everyone.
From beginners walking into their first class to clients in their 70s seeing incredible improvements in bloodwork and bone density, kickboxing is truly for all ages and fitness levels.
“It’s more than getting a six-pack,” Whitney says. “It goes deeper than that.”
Grateful for Lakeland
Starting a business in a new city is scary—especially when you don’t know anyone. But Lakeland embraced IMPACT from the beginning.
The community has shown overwhelming support, believing in Whitney’s mission and loving the studio as if it were their own. What started as an idea has quickly become a movement.
Ready to Try Your First Class?
If you’ve been curious about kickboxing, there’s no better time to start.
As a welcome gift, new clients can use:
Code: NEWYEAR2025
for one free class at checkout.
How to Sign Up Using Glofox:
Download the Glofox app
Search for IMPACT Kickboxing & Fitness
Create an account or log in
Purchase a membership or class credits
Book your spot under “Classes”
Show up, work hard, and feel amazing 💥
IMPACT Kickboxing & Fitness, owned by Whitney Paul, is more than a gym—it’s a community, a support system, and a place where strength is built from the inside out.
Whether you’re looking for a killer workout, a mental reset, or a space where you truly belong, IMPACT is ready to welcome you.
978-798-4329
4668 E County Road 540A
Lakeland, FL. 33813
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