Self-Defence Meets Killer Health Gains In Malta’s MMA And Brazilian Jiujitsu Clubs
Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiujitsu have taken the world by storm in the passing years. In no small part due to firepower from companies such as UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship).
But apart from the martial arts’ respective badass nature, fight-lovers across the island can build better bodies and get healthier just by practising these martial arts.
After becoming a yogi for a day, Lovin Malta returned to fighting. With that in mind, we visited Avant-Garde BJJ club and WarDogs MMA for a couple of afternoons of choking.
Avant-Garde BJJ
Led by head coaches David and Thomas Vander Eecken, Lovin Malta was allowed a chance to hit the mats with the island’s leading BJJ club. And it did not disappoint.
From the moment you walk in, you are hit by a ‘fight culture’ that is practically tangible.
David and Thomas run the club in clockwork fashion, offering classes ranging from beginner to expert. But make no mistake, even the beginner session will put you through the wringer.
After getting through an active warm-up (and by active, I mean: get ready to sweat), you’ll be spending an entire session cracking a series of locks, submissions, and chokes.
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You can run, lift weights, or work out daily. But the nature of this activity is on another level entirely.
As you wriggle (or attempt to) your way out of one lock, try to pin your opponent down, or simply ‘roll’ with a partner on the mat, you will come to learn that more than just your cardio has been worked.
BJJ will hit most muscles in your body, from your upper and lower body to your core. Overcoming challenges of daily practice – particularly sparring – will also help condition your mind. No wonder they call it the ‘human chess’.
In fact, this may be the most effective activity one could use to become more confident in matters of everyday life.
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WarDogs MMA
If submissions are your thing but you also fancy the occasional kick and punch, then you can also mix it up a notch by going full-swing: Mixed Martial Arts.
To that end, Lovin Malta hit WarDogs gym and trained with coach Diana, a woman well versed in the art of kicking ass.
The session was only governed by time. High-intensity interval training where round upon round you work with a partner to refine the combat drills you see the likes of Dustin Poirer using in UFC events.
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All of this and more, because coach Diana spices it up with some heavy cardio, like timed squats, burpees, and all the other ‘wonderful’ things.
‘High-intensity’ may sound scary. But in truth, it only means that you will be trying to keep your best pace going in the face of racing time. You won’t be competing against anyone. On the contrary. People in the gym will push you to keep that sweet spot for longer.
And that is one major perk of training with a group.
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The result
Each one-hour session could help you burn anywhere from 400 to 600 calories depending on how heavy you want to take your approach.
You’ll also be clocking in those steps as you move around the ring during that hour. Anywhere around 3,000 steps but probably more during the MMA class.
In BJJ, however, you’ll definitely be working more of your core muscles, because the nature of the game is almost exclusively played on the ground.
Like most martial arts, practitioners are allowed the joys of rolling with fun, inclusive groups who are ready to offer a helping hand at every turn. Let’s face it, making friends and meeting new people could boost your mood too.
Photo credit: Avant-Garde BJJ Facebook and deedeemmacoach Instagram
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