Jay featured on yesterday’s BBC News as he trained at the gym in preparation for his trip to Australia this weekend.
Jay, who’s been training and friends with us at the Crawley Martial Arts Academy for years (we’ve lost count) is a real life hero and inspiration to us all. Never making any excuses and grabbing life by the ….. despite what’s happened.
Good luck on your trip!
If you’re looking to get in great shape, burn body fat, build lean muscle mass then why not try our boxing classes? They’re physically tough, burn a lot of calories and build a great level of fitness that ticks all the boxes.
And if you like the idea but need a little push or are a little daunted, read on because there’s plenty of myths holding people back from starting boxing.
Neither have most of our members, our classes are suitable for all levels from beginners through to fighters. During each and every class you’ll work on learning new techniques, improving your skills and mastering the fundamentals.
From their you’ll either hit pads with a partner or spend time on the punch bags honing your skills. And if you’re worried about sparring, don’t worry! We strongly believe in stepping stones, learn the basics, build your confidence and (if you want) we’ll introduce you to sparring further down the line.
One of the biggest mistakes anyone can make is putting off getting started until they are fitter. The harsh reality is most people don’t get fitter and the fitness they build isn’t specific to boxing.
Sure running and other cardio will help and build a base but the intensity of hitting pads and working on punch bags is very, very different. Come down, jump in the deep end and work at your own pace. We’ll look after you, help you out and you will get a lot fitter, faster!
Most fighters don’t start out thinking they’re going to fight. They start boxing for fun, for fitness or because they got dragged down by a friend. So if you want to train just for the enjoyment that’s fine with us, it’s the reason most of our members got started.
But as you get better and realize “Maybe I could fight” and decide to up your training, we have a dedicated team of trainers and fighters who are here to help.
Now’s the time to take action. If you’re reading this article, you’re interested already the only think holding you back is the next step. So go on, pick up the phone and give us a call on Crawley 01293 552 511 (or enter your name and telephone number in the box on this page) and get ready to get a sweat on.
All you need to get started is a t-shirt, shorts and a drink.
Out gym is fully equipped with boxing rings, pads and bags, kettlebells, bulgarians bags, dumbbells, barbells, medicine balls and more. Everything you need to get in the best fighting shape of your life.
See you in the gym in Manor Royal, Crawley and open 7 days a week.
It’s that time of year when people are setting goals, making (and breaking) New Year’s resolutions and keeping their fingers crossed for a BIGGER better year than they had in 2014.
And as cheesy as the “New Year New You!” slogans might sound and as cliched as they might be…
There really is nothing bad about sitting back, reflecting and doing something to make 2015 a better year than lasts BUT you need to do something more than just reflect, think and make a note in your mind.
That’s where folk fall down and that is why they fail.
Instead of doing, they think.
Instead of acting, they talk.
Which all leads to 2015 (potentially) being the exact same as 2014.
It’s super-simple (like most solutions are) and there is no magic secret or push button solution.
All you got to do is Turn Up and start doing something.
Forget thinking and making a resolution to lose a stone, two stone or 5 stone in 2015.
Instead set yourself a goal to sort your diet out and eat healthy. It all starts with your eating (let’s not call it a diet) and making sure you make long term, permanent and sustainable plans that mean you lose weight and keep it off. Eating that doesn’t just help you look better it makes you perform better too. Eat good, look good and feel good!
Instead of thinking about getting to the gym four, five or six days a week just make a small commitment to getting there twice a week. Then turn it into three days and add a little walk here and there. Start with a small, simple change and then scale it.
Lastly (but arguably the most important) is social support and accountability which is why personal training is so popular. It’s not just about eating and training… it’s about eating, training, having support and someone to tell (or confess to) when you’ve eaten that bar of Dairy Milk or been a little naughty and eaten an entire pizza for desert.
Social support and accountability are perhaps two of the biggest and most neglected factors ‘we’ forget when it comes to losing weight and getting in shape.
Losing weight and getting in the best shape of your life is simple.
Turn up, do the work and keep it consistent.
That means eating right and training right.
Keep it realistic, keep it sustainable and keep it consistent.
Procrastination is a dream killer which is one of the reasons our fitness classes and personal training sessions are so popular. You book in and you turn up. Then let the pace and energy of the class pull you along and get your body moving!
That’s the first step sorted.
The next biggie is finding social support and accountability.
Finding people (ideally a partner or spouse) who’ll get behind and help you out when times get touch, when you need to be kicked off the sofa or to stop you raiding the fridge when late night boredom sets in and you start to eat for the sake of it.
Social support and accountability are big factors. Even if you want to ‘go it alone’ find someone, even if it’s online who’ll help you out and be there for you. Fact.
And that really is it.
It’ll get you in the fittest and best looking shape of your life and it’s something our team has been doing for close to 20 years now.
Fat loss (better than weight loss) is super simple.
You can boil it down to the basics:
And that’s it. That’s enough to get most people 80 – 90% there and achieving their goals.
But simple doesn’t always mean easy.
You have to be ready to change and you have to want to change.
Now you don’t have to confine yourself to the world or broccoli, chicken and tupperware pots to achieve those goals.
But the better you can be, the quicker you’ll see results.
We can help guide you with better nutrition and meal plans.
We can train you to make sure you’re burning extra calories and preserving your muscle mass (this is what toning is all about).
And we can offer you the moral support — or more bluntly a kick up the backside and accountability — but it’s up to you to take the first step towards changing your healthy, how you look and how you feel.
If you’d like to have an informal chat about our personal training and your weight loss goals you can call us on 01293 552 511 or better still (we’re spend a lot of time training people) enter you name and email address in the enquiry box on this page.
The first step is the hardest and it gets easier (and better) from there!
See you in the gym!
We know that if you’re investing your time, money and energy into personal training then you want a return on that investment.
And it’s in our interest to see you achieve your goals, realize that investment and feel good again.
But — there is a but — we can only do it if you can set SMART goals and one very special ingredient.
And the missing ingredient?
Your goal has a meaning and significance in your life.
Back to SMART.
A specific goal isn’t “I want to lose weight” it is “I want to lose 3 stone”
There is a specific number attached, it’ s not just a random statement about losing weight.
A measurable goal — that’s obvious — you measure your weight but if you’re super serious about measuring and monitoring your weight loss efforts you should really think about getting that tape measure out and writing down the inches around your waist, your upper arms, your thighs, calves, chest, hips and neck.
Plus — this is a biggie — determine your body composition. How much of you is fat? And how much of you is lean mass (not fat). These two measurements (and not just weight) are more important than most people realize because sometimes your weight won’t change even though your body is. An increase in muscle and decrease in body fat won’t show on a weighing scale but you will see it when you look in the mirror, try on your skinny jeans or measure your body.
Your goals must be achievable. There’s no point in trying to lose two stone in a month. You likely won’t achieve it and more than likely feel crap for failing.
But a meager two pounds per week is a stone in 7 weeks. That is realistic or if you’re serious, then maybe a 12 pounds in 4 weeks — but two stone — unlikely.
Which brings me onto realistic. You must pick a realistic weight loss target per week and as part of your bigger goal. If not you run the risk of failing, feeling crap and giving up.
Not because you failed but because you set an unachievable and unrealistic goal.
And last there has to be a time frame in place.
Without a time frame a goal takes as long as it takes. If you give yourself an hour to workout, it will take an hour. Give yourself two and it will take two. The same is true with weight loss.
You can give yourself 8 weeks to lose a stone and do it in eight weeks. Or you can forget a time frame, procrastinate, put it off, drag it out and then give up. A time frame (and deadline) that’s realistic is super important.
And the missing ingredient, your goal needs to have purpose and real meaning to your life.
I learned a long-time ago there are two reasons people do (and want) anything. There’s the reason they tell you, and there’s the reason they don’t tell you. That’s the reason they keep secret and to themselves.
People tell you they want to look good, feel good and be healthy.
But there’s a secret behind that and a real reason.
It might be to look better naked for their partner, to attract a partner or it might be because your family have a history of heart disease, diabetes and you don’t want to be the next victim.
We all have two reasons for doing anything — the reason we tell people and the real reason we keep to ourselves.
This is the MISSING INGREDIENT — it’s remembering and keeping your real reason and motivation for losing weight, getting in shape, putting on muscle or whatever your goal might be.
Keep the real reason at the front of your mind and remind yourself of it every time you start to stray from the course, when you think about missing a training session or eating a not-so-tasty take away meal that does you no good.
If you’d like to find out more about losing weight, getting in shape and — as importantly — getting a helping hand to support you every step of the way why not get in touch and find out more about our group training classes and personal training?
With a team of full-time trainers (male and female) we’re here to help train, advise and support you on your fitness, fat loss and training journey.
Enter your name and telephone number on the enquiry form on this page (or visit our personal training page) for more information.
“Crack, crack…”
That’s the sound of our ever popular Muay Thai Fitness Classes here in Crawley.
Every morning at 9:30am our members are put through their paces for an hour of cracking pads with punches and kicks, before working through a variety of exercises.
From busy mum’s who’ve just finished the school run through to members looking to make the most of their day off work…
Our classes are open to anyone who’s looking to get in shape and looking for an exercise class in Crawley that’s a lot more fun that’s watching television as you use a cardio machine.
Plus…
Hitting pads solves everything!
Had a bad day? Hit some pads.
Feeling stressed? Hit some pads.
Want to lose weight? Hit some pads!
Working with boxing, thaiboxing and kickboxing pads is one of the most effective ways to burn calories, build cardiovascular fitness and learn some cool new techniques (there’s a little bit of self-defence thrown in there too)!
So if you’re looking for an exercise class in Crawley, bored with the gym and ready to try something social, a bit of a laugh and very, very efffective…
Then get in touch.
Our exercise classes are based at the Crawley Martial Arts Academy, the gym is fully equipped, matted and has parking and changing facilities.
To find out more you call us on 01293 552 511 or enter your name and email address in the box on this page.
See you in the gym!
It’s been a busy month so far with good numbers turning out for our daytime and evening Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai classes.
Off the back of our Muay Thai Mayhem show, with the British Open BJJ competition and of course the Summer everyone has been training seriously hard!
Here’s the guys (and girls) from last Wednesday’s class:
If you want to find out more about learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or Muay Thai then get in touch with the gym on 01293 552 511 or (better still) enter your details in the box on the side of this website and we’ll give you a call.
Our classes run 7 days a week – we have mornings, daytime and evening classes and cater for everyone regardless of fitness or experience level so you don’t have to worry – we all started in exactly the same place.
Get in touch, get fitter, get strong, learn something new and have fun doing something very, very different!
We come from a unique background and know that our personal training here in Crawley is one of the best ways to get cardiovascular fit and build a strong, lean body.
Our training is a great way to burn a lot of calories (and if you’re serious about losing weight and burning fat) creating a negative energy balance should be your main goal. Simply put – you consume less calories than you burn and we can help you burn a lot of calories.
During our 1-2-1 training sessions our personal trainers will help you get warmed-up, put you through some mobility work to prepare your body.
Then the fun begins!
Since our background are the fighting arts (think Boxing and Muay Thai – similar to kickboxing) we use a variety of intense drills and pad work to get your heart rate up.
You’ll work through several rounds on the pads with your trainer – learning new techniques and combinations – before moving onto an exercise session where you’ll focus on building your strength, burn even more calories and get you in fighting shape without having to fight!
Our personal training sessions take place 7 days a week and our team of trainers are flexible with times and sessions at our gym in Manor Royal, Crawley.
While you can pay as you go and book single sessions – the magic happens when you commit to a block or 10 sessions because it ensures you train consistently and regularly.
And that really is the key. Training consistently and regularly.
Plus our trainers will encourage and motivate you. And are always on hand to offer advice on extra training you can do on your days off (remember weight loss is about creating a negative energy balance) and essential nutritional tips that make the difference.
To find out more about our personal training or (better still) to get started fill in the contact form on the side of this page. You can call us on 01293 552 511 but we may be teaching (we’d rather be in the gym than manning the phones) so just leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
See you in the gym!
This year we’re proud to have launched our NEW lunchtime fitness classes.
The classes – designed to be short, sharp and intense – are the perfect way to spend your lunch hour and get away from the desk for a short (active) break.
Running from 12.15 – 12.45pm, Monday to Friday – the classes start with a warm-up before getting into some High Intensity Training.
With a background in the fighting arts the lessons will be varied and always intense.
From hitting the pads to working through a tough Tabata you’ll be amazed with what you can do in just 30 minutes.
Of course you’re always welcome to make the most of our gym here in Manor Royal so if you can do something before or after the session.
The lunch time Fitness classes are included as part of our monthly membership to existing members or you can Pay As You Go.
To find out more and book in your first session – call the gym on 01293 552 511.
It’s good to see how super fit has replaces super thin as the new fitness fad among celebrities and — fingers crossed — it lasts!
For years we’ve been inundated with pictures of super-skinny celebrities but not with the likes of Pippa Middleton into her Triathlons the new super-fit is much, much better as reported by MSN this week.
Deep down we all know that modern day living and modern day eating is wrecking havoc with our bodies. Obesity in adults and children is on the increase as are chronic diseases related to obesity such as Type 2 Diabetes so it’s great that celebs are leading the way with what we hope becomes more than a new fad.
When it comes to eating clean and exercising regularly we know the hardest parts are:
It’s all about starting that first session and then getting into the routine of training.
And that’s why our combination of Kickboxing and Fitness classes have become so popular.
With over 35 classes per week we have a super-flexible timetable that means you can turn up and jump in. The beauty of a class is if you’re not feeling particularly keen or motivated that day — don’t worry — because our instructors are always on hand to encourage and motivate you.
Plus as part of a class you simply turn up and let yourself get swept along by the class. There’s a real buzz about being part of a group of people working out and pushing themselves to be better.
Of course gym classes aren’t for everyone which is why we also have personal training sessions during the day times when you can tailor your training to meet your goals or just get that little bit more of a push.
If you’re interested in joining the latest celebrity fitness trend and ready for a real approach to getting a great body then get in touch with our team on 01293 552 511.