Martial Arts Professional Magazine

Archive for the ‘Martial Arts’ Category

The first step to being the next ultimate fighter, or even if you intend on using mixed martial arts training as a means to get into shape, is to buy quality equipment. The sport can be easily broken down into it’s three main components. This would include stand up striking, ground fighting, and transitions.

To properly learn stand up striking there are many things you are going to need. The first and possibly most important thing you need is a quality set of hand wraps. These need to be utilized during any potential striking exercise to lessen the risk of breaking finger which puts a temporary halt to your progression. The second thing you want to purchase is sixteen ounce gloves and headgear. This will allow you to participate in full contact sparring sessions to help you and your partners improve your boxing skills. A set of muay Thai pads will allow you to incorporate kicks, elbows and knee strikes. These will also help improve your precisions striking capabilities. Finally a set of five ounce MMA gloves will help you to refine your technique in the appropriate gloves.

The transition period spoke of earlier relates to the change from stand up fighting to ground fighting. This is usually done with either a knock down by strikes, a takedown using classic catch wrestling, or a throw using judo techniques. A quality set of knee pads and a padded room help to allow you to work on your technique and control without causing yourself mat burn. It is also advisable to buy a set of headgear to protect your ears. Repeated dance to your ears over a period of time can cause a painful breakdown of the cartilage and is commonly referred to in MMA and wrestling as “cauliflower ear.”

Ground fighting is the aspect of fighting that takes the longest time to gain a comfort level and more fully develop skills, but luckily requires the least equipment. Simply purchase a quality double weave jiu jitsu gi, the classic martial arts uniform, and begin to learn the various techniques employed by BJJ practitioners. The submissions, reversals, defenses, and position moves can all be learned using a single bjj gi.

How to Choose a Fitness Kickboxing School
Cardio Karate and Fitness Kickboxing

Karate and kickboxing have undergone the aerobic facelift of the century and come out hot, sexy and ready to rumble under the banner of “Fitness Kickboxing.” The new form of exercise will be featured in the July 25th issue of “Parade,” the newspaper Sunday supplement, the latest of the many national media that have focused attention on this trend. NAPMA has been offering Fitness Kickboxing programs since the rage first began sweeping the country in 1996.

Fitness Kickboxing, which couples aerobic exercises with martial arts and self-defense movements, incorporates rhythmic punches and kicks to pulsating funk music. There are two types of classes: those with equipment like heavy bags and pads, and those without. Unlike conventional martial arts courses, participants wear aerobic outfits, loose-fitting workout clothes, athletic shoes, and, for bagwork, hand-wraps and light gloves. Fitness Kickboxing is known by several names: Cardio Karate, Tae Bo, and Cardio Kickboxing, to list a few. Whatever the name, it is packing classes with new clients coast to coast, particularly young adult women.

Enrollments have doubled in many martial arts schools because of the trend. Others have added as many as 20 classes to accommodate the huge influx of participants. And there are some 20,000 martial arts schools in the U.S. “Business is up 60% in the martial arts,” says Rob Colasanti of “martial arts professional” magazine. “I estimate that 80% of the new business comes from women — and it’s due directly to the popularity of kickboxing-related exercise programs.” Since 1997, the National Association of Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA), headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, has certified more than 2,000 people to teach its brand of Fitness Kickboxing, called Cardio-Karate. They’ll certify 1,000 more in 1999. “Fitness Kickboxing gives you all the fun of kickboxing without the pain of getting hit,” says NAPMA spokesman Jim Graden. “Plus, you burn 800 calories in a 50-minute workout.” But Graden warns that even without contact, kickboxing can be dangerous. Hips, knees, shoulders, arms, and lower back are at risk in programs taught by poorly trained instructors. He says it is safety first above all else that should guide someone when choosing a class.

NAPMA also recommends:

1. Instructors be certified by NAPMA for Cardio Karate/Fitness Kickboxing.
2. Beginners get a pre-class lesson on proper form for punches and kicks.
3. Wearing cross-trainers with light tread, for foot rotation.
4. Boxing hand-wraps and gloves be worn whenever hitting a bag or pads.
5. Absorbent flooring is a must.
6. Bags and pads should be in excellent condition.
7. Classes should not be overcrowded.
8. A professional program offers a variety of good instructors, class times and workout methods.
9. If the instructor’s motto is “No Pain, No Gain,” yours should be, “Find a New Place to Train.”

Never has there been such an opportunity to get the word out about your product or service. Most of all, the results from our advertisers have been very impressive. For instance, The National Association of Professional Martial Artist’s (NAPMA) advertisement in the center spread of the publication rocketed them from 400 members in January 1996 to over 1,000 in January 1997. Cardio Karate began advertising in the third issue of the magazine and has since sold over 6,000 video tapes. IFC/EasyPay credits martial arts professional with over 75% of the phone calls and new business.

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