Ismael Essilfie-Quaye—Founder
Ismael started training in Yee Fong Do style of Kung Fu in 1987 and continued to learn other martial arts including Lau Gar Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, and Shotokan Karate.
In 2001, he started conducting fitness/body conditioning classes in a community centre in Finchley. Once participants learnt about his martial arts background, they encouraged him to combine fitness and martial arts in one class. IQ Fitness Boxfit was the result in 2005 combining fitness with boxing and then later Kickboxing.
As well as his classes, Ismael is now also a full time Personal Trainer currently based at Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre and available for training in all Barnet Better gyms. He’s also a part-time instructor at Xen Do School of Martial Arts.
Qualifications
Active IQ Diploma in Exercise Referral
Active IQ Level 3 Personal Trainer
SCE Youth Strength and Conditioning Coach
CYQ Level 2 Gym and Fitness Instructor
Black Belt Kickboxing
First Aid Qualified
Enhanced Fitness Boxing I & II
Enhanced Fitness Suspension Training
Enhanced Fitness Kettlebells
Enhanced Fitness Circuits
Enhanced Fitness Training Systems
Kettlebell Training Academy Level 1 Instructor
1987 Started training in Yee Fong Do under Sifu Colin Allen (Hull) achieved Brown Sash and became assistant instructor from 1990
1988 Started training in Lau Gar Kung Fu under Sifu Geoff Rennison (York)achieved Blue Sash
1990 invited by Mark Elwood (Hull) to join training team at his Tornado
kickboxing gym
2011 Started training in Xen-do kickboxing with Master Rafael Nieto and Sensei Denise Bailey (London) achieved BlacK Belt. Became instructor in 2017