Government measures to combat obesity not working

As a nation we are getting fatter. And fatter...

I have been in the martial arts industry a long time. As a student I have been involved since 1971, as an instructor since the mid 80's. In this time I have noticed a clear trend. Beginners are different now than as little as 10 years ago. I see more unfit and unhealthy students now. And interestingly I can no longer assume that 18 - 21 year old students will come in the door slim and fit. In fact not so long back I saw two young lads in their late teens early 20's who were unable to keep up with a female Krav maga student in her 50's. It was not an especialy tough session - just basic compound movements and a warm up prior to training. Read on...

Weight-loss: You cant out exercise a bad diet...

I spoke with a Krav Maga student some time in 2010. He was not happy. He had been training 2 months and had lost no weight, in fact he had gained weight.

My first question was his diet, and unsurprisingly his diet was not great. It seemed to comprise largely of  microwave meals and take aways. Oh and a fair amount of cider. More to the point he had taken to getting a take away and a tin of coke on the way home from krav maga training. I estimated that this 'curry and chips' diet  would have had at least 1000 ckal and he was doing this twice a week.  Due to his weight and fitness level he was unable to participate in the warm up or conditioning sessions. Sadly he would not accept that he the food was the problem as the Krav Maga had made him hungry.  Shortly after our converstaion he stopped training.

I often struggle trying to explain that it's your diet that controls your weight, not your exercise regime. I try to disabuse people of the notion that the latest exercise program, gadget or machine will cure their weight problem.  I can understand the issue. Its much nicer to buy a new shiny gadget, an exciting dvd collection or join a gym than to miss out on high calorie tasty snacks and food.

The fitness industry compounds this problem. We are bombarded with images of homed lean individuals doing an exercise on some kit or the other, The message is simple and unequivocal. 'Do this and look like me. Join the gym now...'

Spartacus: Blood and sand Actor died today

Spartacus: Blood and Sand

Spartacus Blood and Sand proved is a 13 part epic that proved an unprecedented success for Starz. The series was renown for its raunchy scenes and gory fight scenes but the presence of star Andy Whitfield marked the series out as something special. Full article..

Building Krav Maga Instructors - Krav Maga Blog

A day on one of Europes toughest Instructor training courses

Day 5. 'Pass the sick bucket'

The BKMA Instructor candidates hurt. Every muscle aches. Bruises merge, sprains pulls and bumps merge into one another. I imagine one of these quick 3 or 5 day day 'Instructor' courses seems attractive now. :-) After all, you'd be home and dry already and would have had 2 days rest.

Forget the dodgy claims and cammo kit. It's the quick fix, only 3 days - a long weekend, a bit of back slapping, then off you trot: an 'accredited'  special forces commando kapap ninja' or whatever the claims are currently.

We have had unsuccessful candidates, people do fail. We screen very carefully to try and prevent this but we are noot foolproof. One such unsuccessfull candidate went on pass Moni Aiziks course. I dont know how to be honest. We could not train him to basic instructor standard in 18 days. Aizik claims he did in 3 days ? Makes me wonder about quality control.

By tommorow the BKMA Instructor candidates will have done the equilivent to 2 of these courses back to back. By the end of the phase they will have done the equilivent to 3 of these short courses back to back. And then they will be just half way through basic training.

But,  these Instructor candidates aspire to a different standard alltogether.  They crave challenge, authenticity, self development.  And now is the time to pay for it. The candidates want the real thing and they are here to earn it. Ironically some are actually are of a 'special forces'  background - to be honest you'd never know - they are suffering just as much as everyone else. Krav Maga - the great leveller.

Today a change will take place. Today, they will hit rock bottom and over come it. They will realise that what they think they are capable of and what they are capable of is different. Today the will do pre exhaustive training - after an initial 4 hours hard training. Then the candidates go straight to fighting one another, after that its straight onto multiple attackers drills - typically 4 onto 1. A tough day,  it wont be pretty. No text book moves or cool stuff. Just slogging, stumbling, brawling - gross motor skills - but what works. And when there is nothing left in the tank and they still fight. This is the secret ingredient - this is what makes BKMA Krav Maga  different. Its the sheer unrelenting will to survive - to carry on - not to STOP when they feel they cant continue.  Its survival at all costs - no matter the odds. This is the lesson we learn from Krav Maga.

Why is today so significant ? Instructor candidates always focus on the last day. As the saying goes - its not the final destination but the journey that counts.  Today is a really  important stage in this journey. Tommorow they will ache more but feel better. Some may not cope today - they may quit. Its unsuual after phase 1 but some still drop out - simply cant cope anymore.

But those that remain will be more positive and more confident. It will be day 6, nearly there. They will think 'Just today and two more til completion.  The last day wont be a full day will it maybe they let us go home early ?' .    I know this I have been there. I added it up I have 45 days basic training with various organisations. That excluddes more advanced or specialist training. So I know the process I understand it.

The fastest way to Self Defence?

Having taught a handfull of other martial arts over the years I would definatley answer - "Learn  Krav Maga."

I know you are probably thinking ah but he would say that - he teaches it? The question is what do I teach the most important people in my life; My children.  Again - no doubt or reservation: Krav Maga.

I love the martial arts.  I love the power, the beauty, the diversity. I have been involved with them since 1971.  An inconvienent fact is that most wont work for self defence - despite the claims.  Martial Arts and Self Defence are totally different types of training. It’s rather like comparing a driving test to Formula 1. A similar process in theory but....

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Contributing writers vary from Professional Krav Maga Instructors, students of Krav Maga through to authors and the ex Senior Krav Maga Instructor to the Israeli Military.

Dont be defined by what you cant do....

Recently (2009) I trained a young man with a mild physical deformity to one leg.  It caused discomfort and made some movements such as kicking difficult. It was a disadvantage - a disability.

Tacfit Commando - A real review

I often get asked by trainees at Krav Maga Bristol about the latest Training package or programme to be marketed. The latest such package is Scott Sonnons’ ‘Tacfit Commando’.

As I get older I value variety and anything focusing on joint mobility. So, inspite of a healthy scepticism about anything using the term 'special forces" I dismissed the marketing and took the plunge. As a professional trainer if I learn a few new coaching drills to teach - its got to be worth a shot  Added to this, the large number of fake review sites also encouraged me to give an honest opinion so here is what we found..

Instructor Training.

Its nearly 8 am - I have been up since 6, re running over the planning - assessments of the Instructors - checking my notes and highlighted coaching points for the trainees to address.

Benefits of Krav Maga

'The more time I spend teaching Krav Maga - the less time I want to spend with people who dont.'

Recently I had time to reflect on who and how I spend my time with. I am really lucky to to make a living doing something I love (Teaching Krav Maga - an Israeli martial art ) I was struck by the difference in attitudes of the folks I spend my training time with and the non krav people in my life.