Tag Archive for: Long Beach Personal Trainer

Mixed Martial Arts is Growing

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Mixed martial arts is growing in popularity ever since rules were implemented for the safety of those in the ring and you can now watch it on television. It captures an audience both young and old since what happens either in the cage or ring is not scripted unlike wrestling.

There are two main styles of MMA. These are sport and street. In sport, two unarmed competitors fight it out using the same or different martial art discipline. Here, you can’t bite, insert fingers to any bodily crevices, attack the groin and eye gouging. In street, you are allowed to use a weapon of your choice but the first is more popular that the other.

mixed martial arts

Just to prove how popular mixed martial arts is, various organizations have been formed since the Ultimate Fighting Championships was established in 1993. There is PRIDE, International Fighting Championships and Elite XC.

You can watch UFC fights on pay per view which is featured in Spike TV. Elite XC airs their events after striking a deal with CBS entitled “Saturday Night Fights.”

Aside from its popularity on television, there is an increase in the sale of mixed martial arts merchandise especially in the form of videos which fans can take home. There are also websites which feature upcoming competitions, blogs, forums and everything else related to this sport.

Some fans who have become engrossed in this sport have signed up in gyms that offer this in their classes. This can be done just to work up a sweat instead of lifting weights or running on the treadmill. Those who are serious train hard so they will be able to join a competition and win.

But did this craze really start 15 years ago? The answer is no because mixed martial arts was known by a different name more than 2,000 years ago when this was first introduced by the Greeks during their Olympic Games and that time, this was known as Pankration.

There is no doubt that mixed martial arts as a sport is growing. You can see this in the number of fans who watch it, the sales revenue which happens to be much higher than that of boxing and wrestling, the establishment of academies and gyms as well as the founding of organizations both local and abroad.

There was even a move to make this an Olympic sport in 2004 when the games were held in Greece but this was not added since there were concerns that this venue will not be able to host a list of other new sports.

Four years later, the recently concluded Beijing Olympics did not also have mixed martial arts as one of the new sports. Despite that, there are still fighters willing to make a name for themselves using the other organizations since these events are shown all over the world with millions watching even if the International Olympic Committee has not yet approved it.

Senator McCain once referred to mixed martial arts as “human cockfighting” because according to him, this was too violent. That may be the case but with no fatalities yet compared to boxing which averages 11 a year, this will continue to be part of American society today and it is not going to go away anytime in the foreseeable future.

 

 

3 Principles For Overcoming Fitness Obstacles

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If you’re like me, the quest to be in shape and manage weight feels overwhelming. And, as if the quest to be fit isn’t hard enough, there’s often other obstacles to overcome: health issues, time management, mustering up courage or energy. Even if you’ve been exercising for a long time, there’s always new barriers to be broken. So, how to put all of this into perspective?

According to Tom Turner, executive liaison for the Spina Bifida Association that’s exactly it: Perspective. And also, according to him, there’s no mountain too high to climb. Tom would know. Paralyzed from the waist down since birth he’s now 35 and trains about three times a week. In fact, he tells me, he just couldn’t get along without exercise.

obstacles

So in my quest for the last word on overcoming barriers in fitness, Tom sat down with me and together we came up with 3 basic principles that will help break-down fears and intimidation when striving to reach fitness goals. (After all, if he can exercise on a regular basis, shouldn’t that be encouragement enough for anyone to give it a  shot?)

Principle #1 Move Into The Fear.

“Train you mind to believe no mountain is too high or any goal is too difficult to attain,” Tom tells me. Basically, it’s all about meeting your fears and facing them head-on. In this principle, aim to recognize your fears, acknowledge them and then move through them. Ask yourself what is it that makes you uncomfortable? Have you let yourself get out of shape and are afraid you’ll never get back? Do you have an injury that’s caused you to be afraid of your body? If you can visualize creatively, then you can put your fears in check. See your self as you’d like to be. Remember: your body loves you and has the potential to heal itself to perfection. Your only job is to trust it and listen.

Q: What is your body saying to you?

Principle #2 Trust Your Intuition.

It is important when overcoming obstacles and learning to break through barriers that you begin to listen to the still small voice of your body. In most cases, we all want the comfort of having someone telling us what we can and cannot do. However, our highest truth lies within us. This is not to say that the good opinion of others is not important, but ultimately the decision making comes from within.

When facing a challenge or an obstacle look to how you feel. What are your instincts telling you? Often it is simply your instinct that will move you into a new mindset and raise your consciousness. “I wasn’t about to let the wheelchair stand in my way,” Tom tells me. In fact, he says he had to merely change his perspective about it. He says he first had to learn about what his restrictions were then, create a boundary for himself. “We all have boundaries,” he tells me. “Regardless if a person can walk or not, obstacles are as unique as people themselves. Therefore, it’s first best to know your boundaries.”

Next, Tom tells me he aims to meet those boundaries.  “I first reach as high as I can within the confines of what I am able to do. Whether it be more sets, reps or greater endurance, I allow myself as much time as necessary to accomplish my small goals. It always surprises me, with small steps, how quickly I can reach a Big goal.”

Principle #3 Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.

What then, about fear? I wanted to know. If we move into the fear and meet it eye to eye what if fear meets us there? “So,” I asked Tom: “are you ever afraid? “After 19 operations in my life, I’ve really come to terms with fear,” he says. “It really comes down to our most primal fear; fear of death. Once you realize that death is all part of the divine plan, it’s liberating, you can let it go and, instead, choose how to live. So instead of being afraid of death I decided to choose how to live.”

So what’s the take away message? Talking to Tom, I’m reminded of the poem by Dylan Thomas who said: “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night.” It seems appropriate here. The bottom line: Staying afraid often keeps us from truly living. Tom reminds me that a positive attitude is key, “Life is all about attitude.” He also says he could let fear beat him down, yet he doesn’t. “I wouldn’t want to miss being part of tomorrow,” he concludes. That said, what fears are getting in your way? Make today the right time to face them.

In conclusion: Life Beyond The Boundaries.

When you’ve faced your fears and pushed your boundaries to the edges, what then? I wanted to know. Tom smiles. “Find a new mountain to climb,” he says matter-of-factly. “It’s what makes life fun. I know I have considerations. I know that there will be days that I’ll need to stay in bed and rest while my braces are getting tuned up. It’s those times when I am with my thoughts that I decide what I am going to set my sights on.”

Author’s Note: In my personal quest to live beyond the boundaries I’ve chosen Tom as my role model (lucky for me, he’s my brother). We so often look to the media for these sources and so often they are illusory. There are “real” people everywhere doing great things…look around you; angels are everywhere! Learn from them. Choose someone you look up to, admire or of whom you appreciate their values. Set goals, climb mountains! Set intention in motion and enjoy the healthy process.

 

 

Is Learning Mixed Martial Arts Good For Your Child

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Getting your children in extra curricular activities helps them become a well-rounded individual. Aside from basketball or boxing, another sport you can try is mixed martial arts.

What is mixed martial arts? It is a combination of various martial arts techniques which include karate, jujitsu, judo, tae kwon do and a few others. Since each one takes time to learn, your child will have to learn the basics of one before moving on to the rest.

martial arts

But why mixed martial arts? This is because the activity boosts not only your child’s physical health but also mental as well. Although intense, they get to sweat which reduces the risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and even obesity.

Bigger kids will think twice about bullying them since they know how to defend themselves when they are threatened. They will also become more self confident and be more assertive after completing a few sessions.

Will training in mixed martial arts make your child violent? The answer is no because most studies have shown that those who start fights in school are usually the ones who have no discipline, no training and no self esteem. This is their way of seeking attention even if there are other ways to get it.

Studies have shown learning mixed martial arts has a profound impact for children who are suffering from ADD and ADHD because it helps them stay focus on a task after doing something repeatedly which in the long term will help them later on in life as this helps them control the symptoms of these two disorders.

Before enrolling your child in a mixed martial arts program, do some research by checking the various gyms or dojo’s that offer this to children.

You may be surprised to know that there is a class called Krav Maga which is an Israeli developed combat system which teaches you to escape from an attacker and then fleeing so you can get help which has helped saved lives.

In any case, you should also watch a few classes and also speak with the instructors. If you are satisfied with how they answered your questions, bring your child over because many will let your child join an introductory class at no extra charge.

If you child likes it, then it is time to sign up. Be aware that some gyms will charge you for the next 6 months. Since your child may like it right now and change their mind in the future, see if you can pay for this on a monthly basis.

But not every child may like mixed martial arts as a recreational activity. If this is the case, try to find something else that they are into so you are able to find something that is good for their overall emotional psychological and physical well being.

Mixed martial arts just like any other sport can help in your child’s development. They will become more responsible, more mature and less likely to engage in violence so they grow up and become decent members of society. So give it a shot and see if he or she likes it. They don’t have to compete if they don’t want to but if they like to give it a try later on, just support them.

 

 

 

Easy Health and Fitness Tips

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The US has seen an enormous increase in the number of people considered obese by the medical community. In fact many call it an obesity epidemic. To combat this we find all sorts of pharmaceutical companies selling the “quick fix” health pills, powders, and lotions that do nothing to actually help people take the fat off and keep it off.

Of course the same could be said of the diet industry as well. There are so many different diets going around now you could pick one a month and in a years time still have more to choose from.

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What is truely needed are some sensible proven weight loss tips that people can implement no matter what their present physical condition is. That said let’s dive right in.

#1 Drink more water. All too often Americans are borderline dehydrated and so their bodies are working on the water starvation reflex and not flushing the toxins and junk out.

#2 Eat more often. I bet you thought I was going to say eat less. While it is true that to lose weight you need to eat less calories than you expend…you need to eat more often to get the metabolic furnace stoked up and burning right. Get it out of starvation mode. So start the day off with breakfast. Even an instant breakfast drink and a piece of fruit as we head out the door in the morning.

#3 Move more. Depending on your physical condition you need to be moving more. Use the stairs rather than the elevator, park farther out from the office or the store, go for a walk around the block, go dancing, play with your kids. Make it fun. Running is not the only way to burn more calories.

#4 Finally, determine your “Why”. Decide why you want to discard fat. Make your reason big enough to motivate you through the slumps that invariably happen.

 

 

What Does It Take To Be A Mixed Martial Arts Fighter

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If you are familiar with one martial arts technique, you may be able to win fighting another opponent using the same discipline. But could you do the same if your opponent is using something else when you meet him in the ring?

The chances of you winning are fifty-fifty. But if you are familiar with the technique the opponent is using, then your chances become much higher.

For that to happen, you have to learn a variety of martial arts and condition yourself like you have never done before. Being able to this makes you a mixed martial arts fighter and since this is not for everyone, you have to commit yourself to the sport and make a lot of changes in your lifestyle.

These changes include how you train, how you eat, sleep and even how you live. The downside is that it will affect your family and even your social life. Every sacrifice you make is important because the moment you lose focus, the greater the chances that you will really get hurt in the ring.

If you are for example skilled in judo, you will have to learn how to punch and kick by learning other styles such as boxing, kickboxing, judo and jiu-jitsu. You will not learn this overnight since it will take time to master them. After all the training, you should be able to switch from one discipline to another when the need calls for it especially when you are facing your opponent in the ring.

Aside from fighting in the ring, you will also need to run regularly so you are able to maintain your endurance. For those who were on the varsity team in high school or college, things are going to get more intense than that. When you are hurt, you will train even harder until you reach the point of exhaustion. Just remember that your opponent whoever he may be is doing exactly the same thing and the winner all boils down to who wants it the most.

The human body is the weapon you have as a mixed martial arts fighter. What you do and how you train for it will greatly affect how well you perform in the ring. If you notice, most of the fighters in the ring are physically fit so you have to just as ready them during competition.

So what does it take to be a mixed martial arts fighter? To be the best in this sport you must have dedication. For that, you have to give up a lot of things and the first step is to enroll in a school that offers various levels of training.

What you learn here is not only proper technique but also helps build up your morale and confidence which is something you need to push yourself further. When you look for a school, review the methods of training they use as well as the cost.

Can you afford it? If you do, then this shouldn’t be a problem but if you are financially strapped, try to find another school that can give you the same quality of training so you may become a mixed martial arts fighter. Look for them in the internet or ask around because surely there is surely a school there that can help you out.

 

 

Ways to Exercise On A Busy Schedule

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Most exercise programs are started with the best intentions. So why then, do treadmills turn into storage platforms, and walking shoes are worn only to Saturday night movies? The answer is more of a matter of poor planning then low motivation. For exercise to be viable, it should include activities you enjoy, be accessible, and fit easily into your daily schedule.

Here are 3 three ideas:

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Arm your exercise space for battle.

What would it take for your treadmill to be used? What about the weights? Maybe all you need is for your exercise space/room to be more inviting. You could accomplish this by decorating. Add color, texture, and other elements that will appeal to your senses-sight, smell, and sound. Do simple things like keeping a water pitcher on a table, or adjusting the light to fit your mood. If instead of comfort, your worry is infringing on productive time, consider adding a television with a VCR. This allows you to watch the news or watch a movie that you wouldn’t normally have time to watch. You can view it in 20-30 minute increments. View it only when exercising, forcing you back on the equipment to see what happens next. It might be the motivating factor you’ve been looking for. Another possibility is to listen to a book on tape or recorded meeting notes through a headset. You can also record notes or the next day’s “to do” list as you think of things while exercising.

Walk whenever possible

This includes the old stand by like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking a distance from your destination, and delivering messages in your office by foot instead of by email. You can also walk on your lunch hour and breaks instead of sitting down to eat or snacking. To get your lunchtime nutrition, eat a quick salad at your desk before you take off. Bringing your food from home will save drive time to a restaurant, enabling you to get more from your breaks. Invite co-worker to walk with you.

Choose active family activities

Instead of eating a big dinner out-eat a healthy meal at home and then take a walk around the neighborhood together. You’ll save the calories of the large restaurant portions, the time it takes to drive to an establishment, and gain that much need family time. Other “active” activities include walking around at the zoo, hiking on local nature preserves, bicycling, ice-skating, and swimming. The list is endless. Let these types of activities replace television watching and video games.

Turn your good intentions into action. You’ll be healthier and will improve your overall well-being. You may end up with better work relationships as a result of hand delivering your messages. You will certainly strengthen family relationships by focusing on your time together. By investing a little time each day in the development of a healthy lifestyle, you could add years to your life, enabling you to enjoy the days when you no longer have such a chaotic schedule.

 

 

The Various Disciplines of Mixed Martial Arts

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Mixed martial arts is a combination of various disciplines and the only weapon you have in this sport is your body. Do you have to be an expert in all of them? No but it will be useful to know what these are so when you are facing an opponent, you more or less have a strategy to counterattack his moves. Let’s talk about some of these.

Kick boxing otherwise known as muay thai is a martial arts technique that uses both kicking and punching. It is a standing sport and the fight ends when the opponent hits the ground. This is a full contact sport. Some of the best known mixed martial artists who use this include Pedeo Rizzo and Bass Rutten.

martial arts

Unlike kick boxing which was only introduced in the 1960’s, boxing has been around since 688 B.C. Here, you are only allowed to use your hands to knock out your opponent. Although this fighting technique is not that effective on its own especially when you are fighting someone else using another discipline, this is still essential especially when you are fighting in close quarters with your opponent inside the octagon.

Another close quarter mixed martial art discipline is judo. Instead of punching or kicking your opponent, you have to grab and throw them into the ground. If this is not possible, you can also immobilize your opponent using a grappling maneuver.

Similar to judo is wrestling because learning winning depends on your ability to clinch, hold, lock and have leverage over your opponent.

Next is jujitsu which also focuses on grappling and ground fighting by using chokeholds and joint locks to force an opponent to submission.

There are other martial arts techniques aside from those mentioned. If you want to learn any of these disciplines, you have to join a gym so that a trainer will teach you the correct technique. In most beginner classes, no sparring is involved. It is only when you take advanced classes that you get to engage another student.

Do you get your money’s worth when you sign up in a gym? This depends because there are some who don’t teach that well compared to others. This is why you should ask around first and read some reviews. Better yet, you can visit the gym and avail of their free workout session so you get the feel of what it is like to exercise there.

While we often see people in mixed martial arts competitions use the various martial arts disciplines for offensive purposes, all of them were designed to do one thing and that is to protect yourself from situations that require you to stand up and defend yourself. You also get a good workout each time since you work up a sweat that will help you lose weight if you happen to carry a few extra pounds.

Just in case you didn’t notice, most of the competitors in mixed martial arts competitions are physically fit. You can probably achieve this with the proper training and diet not so you can compete but so you can live a healthier lifestyle. If you choose to compete, you might big the next Ultimate Fighting Championship winner but only time will tell if you have what it takes.

 

Great Ways to Burn More Fat Today!

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“If you’re trying to lose weight, give these techniques a try. You’ll burn off the pounds and feel great to boot.”

Do not eat poor quality carbohydrates before bed. Poor quality carbohydrates are those that contain sugar or are highly processed. These would include most breakfast cereals, breads, snack foods, candies, and even fruits and juices. Eating these foods immediately prior to bedtime will likely result in increased fat deposit and will prevent your body from maintaining a successful fat-burning mode.
Increase your muscle mass!

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The more lean muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn even at rest. Muscle is extremely active metabolically. Do some resistance training, add some muscle, and crank up that metabolism.

Never let yourself get too hungry, or too stuffed. It really is all about moderation. Time your meals so that you eat before you are starving . . . doing this one simple thing will cause you to almost always eat less. When you do eat, stop when your satisfied not when you are so stuffed you cannot even get down another bite.

Double up on your cardio training. From time to time it may be beneficial to the fat-burning process for you to split your cardio training into two short sessions rather than one longer one. Studies suggest that people who do 30 minutes of morning cardio and then 30 minutes of evening cardio lose more fat than those doing just one 60 minute session.

Eat more high fiber foods. Most of us do not get enough fiber in our daily diets, and that’s just a shame. Fiber not only promotes overall general health, but also can significantly aid in your fat-burning efforts. Leafy greens and salads are ideal sources of fiber.

The Facts about Mixed Martial Arts

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Have you seen the Ultimate Fighting Championship? If you have, then you already know why this sport uses mixed martial arts. For those who have no idea, here are some facts you should know about.

Mixed martial arts made its introduction in early 1990’s. Its growth was very slow at first and it was always both brutal and violent. In the years that followed, rules were set up which helped gain its popularity among the audience which enabled television channels to broadcast it in the airwaves.

mixed martial arts

Despite the rules, matches between two fighters are still violent. Some leave the ring with a broken arm or leg while others have cuts or bruises. The only good news is that no one has died yet in the ring unlike boxing. Just to give you an idea, there are at least 11 boxers who die every year.

The reason why you call it mixed martial arts is because a fighter for instance in judo challenges another fighter in another martial art discipline. The key to winning depends on your technique and your conditioning.

Mixed martial arts are now more popular than boxing or wrestling. In one show, it made $30 million and the company owned by the Fertita brothers is now worth $700 million.

The athletes who also participate in these matches get paid very well. One example is Diego Sanchez who was given $7,000 for a fight. If he won the match, he gets an additional $7,000. You could earn more depending on your skill. Top rated fighters can get $200,000 or even more for just one fight.

If you saw the Contender which featured Sylvester Stallone, Sugar Ray Leonard and a few up and coming boxers, a mixed martial arts version came out soon after. Here, amateur fighters are trained by professionals and compete in elimination matches until the last two standing fight for the title of the Ultimate Fighter.

Mixed martial arts has spread throughout the globe. They are called by different names as well. In Japan, it is called PRIDE. The ring and the rules may be different but its essence remains the same.

What you see is what you get when two fighters enter the ring. This means there is no script and everything you see is real. If a fighter goes down, it is because one fighter was better skilled then than the other.

Mixed martial arts is growing despite the fact that it was once banned in television by Senator McCain. Experts believe that it will peak in the next 15 to 20 years and who knows; this sport may one day be part of the Olympics.

But despite what you see on television, mixed martial arts is a great form of exercise and it also teaches you about self defense. This is very useful regardless of your age or gender because criminals attack when they think you are vulnerable.

As a result, a lot of gyms offer classes to their members. Other benefits of learning mixed martial arts include building your self confidence and making you strong both mentally and physically. Children can also learn it so they can defend themselves if ever someone at school decides to pick on them which is something that no parent wants their child to experience.

 

 

Your Property Can Keep You Fit

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People in our society are suffering from obesity and ill-health related to lack of exercise like never before. Sometimes it’s the habit of idleness, or the perceived expense of exercise. However, I can tell you that you don’t need a gym membership to keep fit! Your own property can furnish ways for you to improve your health! Your house offers many opportunities to exercise, especially if you’re engaged in renovating, moving in or out, or landscaping. By making a few small changes to your routine, you can get more out of your property than just an attractive living space; it can be your fitness center as well.

Yard maintenance furnishes many opportunities for exercise. Instead of getting the latest gas-powered lawn gadgets, look into non gas-powered ones. For instance, use a push mower instead of a gas-powered one. A gas-powered mower can add as much pollution to the atmosphere as a car and doesn’t burn as many calories. A 150 lb person pushing a non gas-powered mower burns approximately 400 calories an hour.

Landscaping is a huge calorie-burner. If you do as much as possible yourself, you will burn phenomenal amounts of energy lifting, carrying, digging, and placing. Gardening is mild exercise that pays off with health benefits. Don’t spray weed killer on weeds; get down there and pull them out yourself! You’ll burn about 250 calories an hour while you preserve the health of your environment and get rid of unwanted plants.

Household chores can be workouts in disguise. For those who find it agonizing to go through chores, here’s a suggestion: treat it like a workout. Allot yourself an hour or a half-hour. Now RUSH to get the household chores done. Carry the garbage out, get the laundry to the laundry room and vacuum the floor with energy. Lifting things to clean under them is another weight bearing exercise and don’t forget running up and down the stairs when you need something. Once your allotted time is up – STOP. Your workout is over… unless you’ve gotten into the groove and want to keep straightening things up! You might want to catch your breath, though!

Little projects around the house can cost less if you learn how to do them yourself. They also provide hidden ways of exercising. If you’re the one climbing the ladder to clear the gutter (don’t forget proper safety measures!), you’re the one reaping the benefit of the exercise. The same goes for painting, small repairs and rearranging the furniture. Raking and bagging leaves is excellent, as is shoveling snow.

Just spending more of your time physically maintaining your house and property will pay off, not just in the pleasure and equity of having an attractive home in good repair, but also in your personal fitness. In our present society, labor-saving devices are often not as labor-saving as they seem. You need to exercise and stay fit. Your home is a great place to start.

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