The Importance of Boxing

     In my Practical Self-Defense instruction, to say that boxing plays a major role would be a very big understatement. I was fortunate enough to grow up with some very good boxers. I learned from them and from the boxing club in which they trained.

     The very first boxing lesson I had was in an alley in the back of Mikes Gym in the city I was born, Everett, Washington. We put the gloves on and my trainer, Matt Belcher, a many times golden gloves champion, told me to put my hands up in front of my face and cover up while he threw punches at me. This was one of the most important lessons that I learned because it teaches a person to get used to seeing punches coming at them and to not be afraid. 

     While I would never play down the importance of wrestling, it is also true that most incidents of attack are going to start while in a standing position. In the book ‘Championship Streetfighting, Boxing as a Martial Art’ written by Ned Beaumont, he says “In every real fight, win, lose, or draw, in which I’ve participated or watched, the issue was decided by a punch, usually a punch to the head.” And he also writes “in genuine fights, the winner fought like a boxer. He used hard punches to put the loser on the ground. He used boxing skills in hand-to-hand combat.”

     The ability to keep your hands up, throw straight hard punches, and block and slip punches can’t be denied by your attacker. If you are good at these skills, your attacker will have to deal with it. If you can “beat them to the punch” you then have a chance to get away or continue your defense.

     I was drawn to Mr. Beaumont’s writings on the subject of    self-defense because I found that we share the belief that the science of boxing has taken a back seat in some ways to what are normally called martial arts. 

     In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word martial means;  of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior. The words martial art mean; any of several arts of combat and self defense (as karate and judo) that are widely practiced as sport. Notice the mention of karate and judo. I wish to mention boxing as a martial art and great self-defense skill.

See you in the gym!

Strength Training is Fun!

     As a physical trainer, this week has been slow due to many clients being out of town for the holidays. The other day for instance, I had only a couple of sessions and that can be pretty depressing because if I’m not training anyone, I’m not earning any money. 

     Interestingly, it isn’t just the money. I expect clients to forego their holiday travel plans in order to get their workouts in. “Just kidding”. I’ve been in this situation plenty of times so I knew what to do. I knew that if I were to dwell on the slow day, things would only get worse.

     I was lucky and so are you. I had my own workout to do and that’s what I turned my attention to. I immediately started to picture myself lifting the weights and doing the reps that I wanted on that day. 

     When my workout was done, it was one of those times where I really appreciate that a workout can save me from feeling down. However, I don’t believe it would have had the effect that it did if I wasn’t actually excited to work out.

     Pumping  sets and reps just for the sake of doing them does not excite me. Getting stronger does. Strength training is fun! I want to lift more weight than I did last week or at least be working on a program that will get me there. When I lift that weight or do those reps that I wanted to achieve, I feel good, really good. 

     The reason I say that you are lucky as well is because you also have your workout to be excited about. If you aren’t excited about it and if it isn’t fun, you should look to make some changes. Make sure that your workout is progressive! Strength training is progressive and there is no better way to make your workout exciting and fun.

See you in the gym!

What is Your Physical Goal?

     The question, “what is your physical goal?” is on the back of my business cards but I rarely ask a new client what their physical goal is. Obviously I believe that we should have one, but maybe I believe that everyone has the same physical goal. Of course, I know they don’t, or do they?

     Strength and conditioning, weight loss, and overall better health. These are worthy goals but doesn’t everyone have these same goals? What other goals are there? Even if you are training for a competition of some sort or if you play a particular sport, your physical goals are really the same.

     I guess this is why I don’t usually ask a client about their physical goals. I just know what they are. Keep in mind that everyone has different issues. Maybe they have injuries (about 75% do), or maybe they have a medical condition such as diabetes. Still, gaining strength and conditioning and maintaining a healthy weight is everyone’s goal. 

     What we really need to make these goals happen is “progression.” We want to be better today than we were yesterday. Your real competition is yourself. Lift heavier (with good technique), jump higher, get deeper into the glutes in your lunge, focus better, be more confident, ect. 

     Progression is really the only reason to be in the gym. Look around the gym and you’ll see people wondering around aimlessly or sitting slumped over on some machine. http://ezinearticles.com/?Are-You-a-Fitness-Wanderer?&id=3599440  Don’t waste your time. Learn what to do and then work hard doing it and you will accomplish your physical goal.

See you in the gym!

Self-Defense Program Gaining Speed

     My Practical Self-Defense Program keeps developing and I am increasingly pleased with the way it’s going. LA Fitness just gave me the go ahead to teach my class in their North Seattle gym. In addition, I will continue to build the program at Anytime Fitness in Fremont, Seattle. 

     Classes at LA Fitness will be in a group setting while classes at Anytime Fitness are offered in a private or group setting. Private classes are defined as one or two people. I have found that each option has it’s advantages.

     Private one on one classes make it possible for the client to get 100% of the attention. Classes of two people are great because you can train with a friend and also, as an instructor, I can look on from the outside which improves my overall ability to see everything. Group classes are also great because clients get to train with a variety of people and it’s a good way to keep costs down.

     No matter the format of the class, my job is to maintain my focus and make sure that what I am teaching is real and effective. Also, I want to maintain the “practical” concept of the class. In fact, that is the most important thing. Keeping it practical is what the class is all about. I want clients to actually be able to use what they learn if needed.

     While my classes involve a lot of classic Boxing and Kickboxing, I also include Take Down Defense and Practical Submissions. If someone can’t beat you upstairs they are likely to try and go downstairs. I always remind my students that “it’s not about beating people up but it’s about being able to defend yourself effectively.”

See you in the gym!

Why We Do It

     Besides my high school gym, the first gym I worked out in was a small, dungeon like, hole in the ground, on the backstreets of Everett, WA. called Mikes Gym. The entry was from an alley. The walls were concrete and the pipes were leaky. Perfect!

     In the gym,there was all the iron you could want and even a heavy bag for boxing. On a sunny summer day, I would finish my workout and then step out into the back alley to cool down in the sunshine and a slight breeze. One of the best feelings in the world. 

     This morning, I worked out in my ‘garage gym’ at home. I always have the door open when working out. It’s pretty dark inside even with the lights on, so when it’s sunny outside, the contrast is like night and day.

     When I finished my workout, I stepped outside into the sunshine and slight breeze and I was back in 1978. I was in the alley behind Mikes Gym once again. I’ve had this feeling hundreds of times in the past 30 plus years but today it wasn’t just a great feeling after a workout. Today, I was being being reminded that “this is why we do it.” 

See you in the gym!

Violence, Self-Defense, or a Slap in the Head

   Sometimes I find myself explaining to my Self-Defense students that it isn’t about violence, it’s about protecting yourself. When someone asks me “what do you do if someone comes up and pushes you?” My response is “how were they able to push you?”

     That’s what I teach more than anything. How to stop someone before they get to you. This is done with reaction training. Now, the law may or may not see it that way, but when you are being attacked, there is no time to try and figure out the law.

     I don’t think anyone has the right to invade your space, period! If someone is close enough to touch you, they better be non-aggressive and non-hostile. Otherwise, you should be able to physically remove them from your space, no questions asked! How many times does it take for someone to invade your space and get the drop on you? The answer is, “once”. One time is all it takes to change your life.

     So, here’s where the question comes up; Is it violence or is it self-defense? Well, much to my surprise, there is no such thing as self-defense according to the law. Here’s how it works; if something happens and you have to defend yourself, your “defense” is that you were afraid for your safety. Is it violence to protect yourself? I say no. Is it self-defense to physically protect yourself if you are threatened? I say yes.

     At the risk of sounding aggressive, I’ll take it one step further. I think that if a person decides to leave their house in the morning thinking that they are going to be rude to other people, they ought to leave the house in the morning expecting a slap in the head. I’m talking about either side of the counter (you’ll have to forgive me as I was at the DMV a couple of times this week). Unfortunately, there are violent and rude people out there. The challenge is, to not become one of them.

     My Grandson and I play a game when we are people watching. We call it, “Happy? or Miserable?” When people walk by, we determine by the look on their face if they are happy or miserable. Anyone can have a bad day, but if a person walks by a beautiful little 3 year old boy sitting and playing with his Grandpa and can’t manage a small smile, they are a miserable person, and they deserve a slap in the head, no questions asked! (Whoops! I hope this doesn’t make me “one of them”).

See you in the gym!

Speed, Agility, Coordination, and Reaction = Self-Defense

     As my clients know, I like to include all of the “elements of fitness” in our workouts. Overload Resistance Training, Bodyweight, Plyometrics, Balance, Speed, Agility, Coordination, and Reaction. 

     One of the best ways of drilling for the latter three elements is Self-Defense Training. Working with pads and boxing gloves is a great way to not only learn great skill but to keep your Speed, Agility, Coordination, and Reaction in top form. And it’s for anyone.

     Today I worked with my client Al, who is 72 years old and has had motor skill problems due to a series of small strokes. I’ve been working with Al for a few weeks now and we have eliminated his cane and he is able to walk more heel-toe and keep his balance a lot better.

     Al had never worn boxing gloves before in his life but today we put them on. Al did great and by the end of the session was throwing hand and knee combinations to the pads. I could see before my eyes the effect that this had on Al’s sensory nerves and that communication system throughout his body.

     I’ve also been getting Al to move the body as a unit while exercising. The last thing I would ever do is sit Al on a machine on the assumption that he was helpless. I was right about Al. He is going to continue to improve and retrain his damaged nervous system. And he looks pretty mean when he’s in his fighting stance as well.

See you in the gym!