Olympic Gold Winner Laurie Hernandez Pops Into Old Bridge Gym

OLD BRIDGE, NJ — It's 6 a.m. on a dreary Friday morning. You're feeling pretty accomplished — and half asleep — for even making it to your morning work-out. When suddenly, you look over and there's Laurie Hernandez, an Olympic gold medalist, standing next to you in kickboxing class.

Yes, that's right. Laurie Hernandez, who won gold and silver in the 2016 Rio Olympics with the U.S. women's gymnastics team, popped into The Max Challenge of Old Bridge/Matawan Friday morning for their 6 a.m. cardio kickboxing class. The gym, on Rt. 516, is running a free friends & family special this week, and Hernandez came in with a friend who is already a member. Hernandez grew up in the area (she went to Old Bridge High School), and still lives locally.

"We were thrilled! Everyone recognized her and all our members thought this was planned," said gym manager Alex Bates. "But it wasn't. She was just there to work out. It was such an inspiration. To see someone of that athletic level come in is really inspiring."

Club members took photos with Hernandez after the class and got her autograph.

All photos used with permission from The MAX Challenge Old Bridge.