AMAA had the great privilege of having Fitness Guru and BJJ Black Belt Steve Maxwell teach one of the most interesting seminars to date. Steve took everyone though a variety of breathing exercises that every martial artist should know. Steve then showed principles of proper bio-mechanical alignment and technique for all the major pushing, pulling, squatting and low back/core exercises.
In the words of Steve himself, if you want to be a good martial artists- train martial arts, nothing will help you more then that. If you want to be a good kicker- you have to practice kicking. a good grappler, you must train grappling. The only way to get good at your craft is to train your craft.
However, a good and systematic strength and conditioning routine will help you fortify your body and prevent injury. Luckily we incorporate a lot of those factors into the warm-ups and cool downs of our AMAA classes. Also our newest addition the CFC (Coed Fighter Conditioning Class) is the perfect way to avoid the daily confusion of gyms and get all of your training under one roof! (see schedule for details).
From Steve Maxwell:
Almost daily, I read articles about America’s growing obesity epidemic. This, along with the general decline of citizen health, is a frequent topic of discussion. I read that 60 to 70% of Americans are sedentary–and Western Europe and the UK closely mirror the US. Of the 30% of the population who report exercising on a regular basis, only 5% exercise vigorously.
I needn’t emphasize here the real-life horror show that is American youth. I read in the papers that obese teens and twenty-somethings are now termed “overweight” to prevent hurt feelings and a sense of disgrace. This national scale deterioration in physical condition was foretokened by the total decline of physical education funding in the public school back in the 70[s and 80’s say, the last 40 years. And so guys in their 20’s now have the look–and fitness levels–of men decades older.
Health is inextricably tied to physical activity: you can’t achieve a high level of health without a corresponding level of fitness. By fitness, I mean the ability to meet your daily schedule with a reserve of nerve energy. Whatever your calling, you should be able to handle what life throws at you, with supple tissues, good reflexes and mobility. If you need to run for a bus, you should be able to do it with ease; climb several flights of stairs, pick up some heavy boxes; defend yourself on the subway.
Well said coach!
Guys – the moral here is to GET MOVING, GET TRAINING and GET HEALTHY (Mind, Body & Spirit) – Martial Art Style.