News - Page 6 of 9 - Crawley Fitness

Aug 28

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Super Fit NOT Super Thin is the Latest (and Bestest) Fitness Fad

By JohnJarvis | Exercise and Fitness, Gym Crawley | No Comments

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:

Getting started
Keeping it up!

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.

Aug 21

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The Benefits of Bodyweight Training…

By JohnJarvis | Gym Crawley | No Comments

If you’re looking to build a leaner, stronger and more functional body then you can’t go far wrong by starting out with Bodyweight Training.

Unfortunately we’re so disconnected with our own bodies that we tend to associate fitness with the gym. And while that’s not wrong… it’s not always the best way to get started.

For most folk the problem with the gym is you don’t really get guidance other than the ‘standard workout routine’ given to everyone regardless of their fitness goals and you’ll quickly out grow it.

Not to mention the fact that there is little point lifting weights (that you have to pay for) when you can’t even lift your own body. Take Lat Pull-Downs for example. You see people using the machine at the gym but how many do you see doing the bodyweight equivalent? A pull up (or chin up depending on the grip you use).

Bodyweight training is where it all begins.

Key Benefits to Bodyweight Training

Aside from saving the time and the money you’ll save by not having to go to the gym. And aside from the fact that you can do bodyweight training anytime and anywhere there are many more benefits.

Firstly, the vast majority of bodyweight exercises are compound exercises. They work around more than a single join which is healthier for your body, a better calorie burner if you’re looking to lose weight and much, much better for building a functional body that works in day to day life.

Second, you can only use a machine in one way. That gets boring but with bodyweight you have a multitude or variations that work different muscles, work them differently or put an emphasis on different areas. Classic examples are narrow, normal or wide grip press ups — the bodyweight version of the bench press.

Third, you can do some very cool party tricks with bodyweight exercises. Anyone who has spent any time on YouTube will be blown away with the impressive folk working on in the parks on bars, doing crazy versions of press-ups and gymnastic style hand balancing or the human flag. Impressive feats of strength that build a great looking body and impresses your friends too.

Simple Example of Bodyweight Workouts

Bodyweight Progressions

Of course it’d be wrong to say you only have to use your bodyweight. That’s what the faddy exercise programs want you to believe — that their system is all you need.

The reality is for many bodyweight training is enough but if you want to progress you can.

The technique you learn from bodyweight squats can be used to perform barbell squats in a rack. The strength you build from press-ups can allow you to progress to the bench press or even harder add shoulder work to your routine with a hand stand press up!

Our Fitness Classes

At our gym in Crawley our main goal is to get people in great shape with a functionally fit body. Our cardio sessions are intense and our workouts make the most of both bodyweight and more advanced versions with equipment.

You’ll squat, you’ll lunge, you’ll press, pull, lift and drag.

Our classes offer an all over body workout and we have classes for both men and women.

If you’d like to find out about our classes get in touch by entering your name and telephone number in the box on the side of this page or by calling a member of the team on 01293 552 511.

Aug 07

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The Coolest Home Gym?

By JohnJarvis | Gym Crawley | No Comments

How about this for a cool home gym…

Model, actor and (once up a time) rapper Mark Walhberg has invested over 2.5million in his own home gym. The converted airplane hanger is fully equipped with everything for weights and cardio machines through to top of the range power plates and full size boxing rings.

The film star who spends a lot of time in the gym and is renowned for getting in amazing shapes for some of his roles knows a thing or two about training, diet and nutrition. In some of his videos you can see him working on his cardio, hitting pads with his boxing trainer and using his TRX suspension trainer.

While we can’t all afford the luxury of our own home gyms we are lucky that the fitness industry continues to expand with a range of functional fitness available.

At our own gym in Manor Royal, Crawley our personal trainers and clients make the most of our boxing rings, punch bags and pads, medicine balls, plyometric boxes, chin up bars, Bulgarian Bags, TRX systems and more.

With HIIT training naturally part of our fitness classes (including our martial arts classes) it’s no surprise that so many of our members lose weight, get in shape and feel a lot better for training at our Crawley based gym.

Jul 22

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Best of Bodyweight Fitness Training

By JohnJarvis | Exercise and Fitness, Ladies Fitness | No Comments

You don’t always have to join a gym to get a good workout (although it definitely helps on the motivation front) because you can do a lot with just the weight of your body.

Lifting, pushing and pulling your own bodyweight fitness training is an excellent way to start building your strength and coupled with methods (a Tabata for example) it’s a very good way to get your heart rate up, build up a sweat and burn a lot of calories.

Plus you can do it where ever and whenever you want. Bodyweight fitness training is the perfect holiday workout or quick fix if you can’t make it to the gym today.

Here’s a short and very inspirational clip of some the amazing exercises you can incorporate into a bodyweight fitness workout. While some of the exercises shown are high level and require good fitness and strength another benefit to bodyweight training is there are usually different variations you can use.

For example you could do a press-up on your knees, progress to doing it on your toes or increase the difficulty by putting your feet on a chair. You could even go one step further by doing your press ups on an unstable surface (like a fit ball).

One exercise, several variations that let you train at your level and also allow you to progress, get stronger and get fitter.

Jul 15

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Swanley Super League Martial Arts Show Results

By JohnJarvis | Competition Team, Kids Martial Arts, Teens Martial Arts | No Comments

Crawley's Thaiboxing Kids Jamie and Brad with Coach John Jarvis

Brad and Jamie with Coach John Jarvis at the Super League in Kent

Last weekend saw the Lumpini Fight travel to Swanley in Kent for the final round of this years’ Thaiboxing Super League, Martial Arts Show.

The competition sees kids and teens travel from around the country to fight it out and see who will qualify to represent the UK at next years International Games.

Fighting for the Crawley Martial Arts Academy were brothers Bradley and Ethan Linstead, Jack and George Jarvis, Jamie Brown, Jack West, Harvey White and Liam Lambourne.

At each stage of the qualifying stages the kids and teens are awarded points for their performance.

11 year old Bradley and 12 year old Jamie performed well throughout the qualifiers and won their categories at the weekend to put them top of the leaderboard and were awarded the winners belts for their efforts.

Hard working Jack West fought well but gave his opponent too much space, backing off and losing out while Harvey White lost out due a bitterly disappointing refereeing decision.

George Jarvis fought well, pulling off some well time flying knees but took a knock on his knee in during his fight to take a standing count before having to retire due to injury.

Liam Lambourne and Jack Jarvis, our 15 year old martial artists had fought well winning (or coming second) in earlier rounds but unfortunately had no opponents in their category this time around.

Overall the performance for the Super League was brilliant. Last year we had Liam travel to Turkey to represent the UK at the International Games and this year we could also see three or four other of our fighters in the tournament.

Jul 09

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Intensity Training

By JohnJarvis | Ladies Fitness | No Comments

Intensity training has become a buzzword in the fitness industry which commercial programmes such as the P90X, the Insanity Workout and recently Davina McCall (read it HERE) releasing a DVD detailing how instensity training got back in shape after having her children.

The real downside to programmes like Davina’s DVD is having the motivation and the discipline to actually follow it through, to do it regularly and keep it up so you actually change your body.

If discipline and motivation are holding you back, we can help!

Our fitness classes (including our Ladies Only Classes) and our personal training sessions all make the most of intensity training.

The fitness training at our gym in Manor Royal is based on Thaiboxing and the Mixed Martial Arts.

It means it’s fun, it’s very different and it’s intense since we’re used to training real fighters who have to be lean and in the best shape of their lives to compete.

Our Ladies Only Fitness classes will have you working in short bursts of intense activity.

You’ll be:

Punching and kick the punch bags
Hitting focus pads (and hand mitts) with a partner
Performing exercises that strengthen and tone your stomach
Exercises that shape your shoulders and arms
Burn lots of body fat from hips and tummies

We also have a variety of Martial Arts classes which are by their very nature, intensity training.

Our Thaiboxing classes work in 3 minute rounds where you have to give it everything you got as you move around, block, punch, kick, knee and elbow the pads.

Our Boxing classes will put you on the heavy bags, swinging bags and get your working on focus pads (hand mitts).

Plus our Jiu Jitsu class, that’s a different kind of fitness where you work strength and physical conditioning — try it — and you’ll walk out like knowing you’ve given it your all.

You’ll Redefine Fitness Here

We have people who’ve bee training ladies only fitness classes at Virgin, Nuffield and other gyms around Crawley. We have men who’ve been lifting weights, playing football and going for runs.

But all will agree and tell you, you are going to get pushed to get the most out of each and every intense exercise session here at our gym in Crawley.

If you’d like to find out more about intensity training and our classes give us a call on 01293 552 511 or call in to visit us at our gym in the Manor Royal Industrial Estate, Crawley.

May 09

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Super League: Jarvis and Lambourne Win in Birmingham

By JohnJarvis | Competition Team, Kids Martial Arts, Teens Martial Arts | No Comments

Crawley’s George Jarvis helps Bradley behind the Scenes at the Thaiboxing Super League

Muay Thai: Teenage Thaiboxers Jack Jarvis and Liam Lambourne returned victorious after their Gold medal winning performances in Birmingham last weekend.

The boys from Northgate and Crawley Down travelled as part of a 8 strong team to Birmingham for the second round of the super league fights where the winners will travel to the International games in Italy next year.

Performing well in the first round last month the Crawley Martial Arts Academy’s fight team were feeling confident and had been training hard all April in preparation for the May event.

It was a tough day for the team as the second round of the Super League picked up pace. Jack West, Ethan and Bradley Linstead all gave stellar performances but were all matched with strong opponents who nicked the decision.

10 year old Harvey White fought hard back in April and pulled out some of the day’s best performances. Moving around, making his opponents miss and countering with superior skill, young Harvey cruised through his first two fights. In the final Harvey was matched with less than technical opponent whose unorthodox style meant he outscored the stylish Crawley fighter leaving Harvey to take second place.

Crawley Martial Arts Academy’s, Jack Jarvis and Liam Lambourne with their Super League winners belts

Only 15 years, Crawley’s Liam Lambourne is already a veteran of the Super League having qualified last year and travelling to Turkey for the International Games back in April.

Last month Liam was bumped up a weight division and lost out on a close fight to take home a Silver medal. One of the hardest workers in the gym Liam was out to win this time around and didn’t disappoint as he showed speed and aggression to win a Gold medal and take home the Super League title belt.

Hazelwick student Jack Jarvis was last fight of the day. The tall 14 year old from Northgate had a busy day ahead of himself, competing in one of the busier weight categories. Winning his first two fights Jack only had 4 minutes to rest and recover before stepping into the ring for the final.

Digging deep Jack pushed and pressured his opponent as they exchanged punches and kicks over the three rounds doing enough to take the decision and take home the Crawley Academy’s second Gold medal and belt of the day.

If you’d like to find out more about training at the Crawley Martial Arts Academy or would like to sponsor a member of our team get in touch with the Academy on 01293 552 511 or visit: www.crawleymartialartsacademy.com

Jack West is lifted by his opponent after a closely fought contest

The Crawley Team at Super League in Birmingham

Apr 12

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Good Luck Janey & George Fighting in Leeds…

By JohnJarvis | Competition Team | No Comments

Crawley Fighters George and Janey relaxing after their last training session

Thaiboxing Fighters: Janey and George Beach travel to Leeds today as part of the Lumpini Fight Team to compete on the HGH Show in Leeds.

The HGH Show promoted by Liam Harrison and Andy Howson of Leed’s Bad Company Thaiboxing features fighters from across the UK and Ireland.

The Crawley duo both fought in Coventry last month bringing home two winners medals to the Manor Royal gym, Janey winning on a majority decision and George stopping his opponent in the 2nd round to win by Technical Knockout (TKO).

Training hard for the since their last fights on the 2nd March, the two have been in the gym at the Crawley Martial Arts Academy 5-6 days per week as they get themselves in peek physical condition and sharpen their techniques for their next outing.

George squares up for bout number 5 against Tobbins Gym’s Scott Thorpe while, mum of two, Janey fights home fighter Naomi Ridley.

The fight team leave today for Leeds where they’ll weight in tomorrow to check their weights before they make their final preparations.

Both fights will be under ‘C’ Class Muay Thai rules which allow punches and kicks to the head with knees and elbows only allowed to the body.

The 5 x 1.5 minute contest will be a sprint from the start with George and Janey looking to keep their winning streak and make the gym proud.

We wish them both the best of luck and will up date everyone with the results next week!

Apr 09

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Fitness Facilities at Our Manor Royal Gym

By JohnJarvis | Gym Crawley, Ladies Fitness, Personal Training Crawley | No Comments

Based on Priestley Way, our Manor Royal Gym is only a stones throw from the new cafes and food-joints that have popped up on the Crawley Industrial Estate.

Namely Charlies’ Deli and Subway.

A little ironic?

The gym had been based on the Gatwick Road above SL Restoration and after many a happy year there our classes had just grown too popular and we need more space.

That’s when the boss, John Jarvis, decided to up sticks and move literally around the corner to Priestley Way.

With over 5,000 sq. feet of industrial unit to work with he was quickly able to expand our timetable, improve our gym facilities and expand our reach.

Where we once catered almost exclusively to those looking to learn Muay Thai — a form of kickboxing from Thailand — we now could move offer other martial arts and open a range of fat burning fitness classes to suit everyday people.

Fortunately for us, Muay Thai is really popular with people who want to get seriously fit.

It’s a tough, total-body workout and very intense which means it’s a great calorie burner and an excellent way to lose body fat.

That lead to the opening of our Ladies Only Fitness Classes which combine the best fat burning aspects of Muay Thai with exercises designed to strengthen you legs, core and your upper body.

When you visit our gym you’ll find a range of functional training equipment.

Our Manor Royal Gym Equipment:

Wide range of dumb bells and weighted plates
Smith machine and bench
Multi-gym facilities for upper body strengthening
Dip and chin-up stations
Rowers and cardio equipment
Fit balls (or Swiss balls), Bosu Balls and Bender balls for core conditioning
2 boxing rings to move around and hit the pads inside
Dozens of Thaiboxing pads, Focus pads and belly protectors for punching and kicking
A range of punch bags and heavy bags
B.O.B. a mannequin designed to look like a person to improve accuracy and have a little fun
Functional fitness zone (including tyres for flipping, lifting and jumping and a sledgehammer)
Battling ropes
A wide variety of slam balls and medicine balls

And the equipment list is ever growing as we expand our classes and keep up-to-date with the best fitness, strength and conditioning information in the industry.

Our Fitness Classes Include:

Personal 1-2-1 Training
Private tuition in Muay Thai, Boxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Ladies Only Circuit Training Classes
Ladies Only Morning Fitness Training
Non-contact Muay Thai Kickboxing Classes
All-Level Muay Thai
Fighters Only Muay Thai
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (from beginner to advanced)
Kids Muay Thai Kickboxing
Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Grappling

If you like to get fit, learn a martial art or come along and have a look at our impressive Manor Royal gym (yes it still looks like an industrial unit on the outside. just wait to get inside) then give us a call on 01293 552 511 or enter your name and telephone number in the inquiry box on this page.

Thanks for reading and get ready to get seriously fit!

Apr 08

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Lumpini Fight Team Juniors: “We’re the Superstars of Super League!”

By JohnJarvis | Competition Team, Kids Martial Arts | No Comments

The Crawley Martial Arts Academy’s Medal Winners in Manchester last weekend

4 Golds, 2 Silvers and a Bronze Medal for Crawley Martial Arts Academy’s ‘Lumpini Fight Team‘

Thaiboxing:- Crawley Martial Arts Academy returned successful from the British Championships in Manchester on Saturday. The team of eight fighters didn’t disappoint, bringing back 4 Golds, 2 Silvers and 1 Bronze to the Manor Royal gym.

Travelling up on the Friday night, the team wanted to get a good nights’ rest before the early start on Saturday morning which would see the eight strong team work through 14 fights and take home a whopping total of seven medals.

First up was Jamie Brown, the 12 year who travels from Brighton to train at the Crawley Academy went straight into the finals, bagging the first Gold medal of the day.

Turners Hill’s, Harvey White was up next. The 10 year old from Pound Hill was in one of the busiest weight categories, fighting three times onthe day. The youngster who’d spent most of his Easter in the gym won his first fight before losing in the semi-finals. Fighting for third place, Harvey won comfortably and took home the Bronze medal.

Next out was fellow Turner’s Hill, “Handsome” Jack West. Fighting twice, the 10 year old put on a brave performance coming fourth in his age category. Older brother Teddy went straight into the finals winning Gold in the 12-14 year old age category.

Tilgate based Bradley Linstead had been preparing hard and had showed great potential in the 2012 Super League was next up to fight. The tall 11 year old fought won his first qualifying bout before winning the final in his category to take the second Gold medal of the day.

Hazelwick student George Jarvis followed. The well-trained 12 year old had been working hard since his visit to Thailand with brother Jack and Harvey White last November. After a short spell out of the ring, George showed no sign of any ring rust as he took control of the ring, demonstrating superior skill to comfortably take home the fourth gold medal of the day.

A veteran of the 2012 Championships, East Grinstead’s Liam Lambourne was back in the Super League. The 15 year old was the only competitor in the under 68 kilogram weight category so was moved into a weight category above. Fighting an opponent close to 2 years his senior and over10 kilograms heavier Liam lost in what was a very close fight and took home the silver medal.

Last to fight was 15 year old Jack Jarvis. The older of the Jarvis brothers flew through the first round beating stopping his opponent with a barrage of well timed kicks and knees. Fighting in the 15 to 17 year weight category teenage martial artist Jack had to settle for silver, losing to a more experienced fighter and the winner of the 2012 World Championships in Russia.

The British Championships for part of the Thaiboxing Super League with the juniors fighters winning points based on their placement at a number of the shows.

At the end of the year, the competitors with the most points to their name qualify to represent the UK at the World Championships in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Returning back to Crawley on Sunday morning with trophies, medals and big smiles the team were happy with the first stage of the competition and fired up for the next round of qualifiers.

Head coach, John Jarvis said “It was a brilliant day for the Lumpini Fight Team. The team made me very proud, all of them. They put in lots of effort and time in the gym and really delivered this weekend. And thanks to all the parents and corner men who all travelled up to help!”

The team will be back in action for their the next stage on the 6th May in Birmingham. If you’d like to find out more about Thaiboxing and Martial Arts training in Crawley you can contact the academy on 01293 552 511 or enter you name and telephone number in the box on this page >>