Open for about the past year, Knock-Out Gym offers various martial arts classes at pretty reasonable prices. A three-month membership will run you about 150$. Their facilities are top-notch: boxing ring, weight training machines, spotless locker-rooms and tatamis that are clean, new and well-maintained.
Kick-boxing and Muay Thai classes are available three days a week and are relatively empty (read: great opportunity for individual attention). There's no competition team yet in either kick-boxing or Muay Thai, although the boxing team is up, alive and kicking.
The gym hosts galas every few months, and a couple of female competitors (in boxing) have been spotted.
The Muay Thai trainer hopes to get a few competitors participating at galas by the new year.
To sum up, this gym is a very agreeable place to train, although if you're looking to compete in Thai or Kick-boxing, the place needs still to develop a bit!
Friday, November 6, 2009
CHOOSING THE PERFECT GYM
How to find that elusive marriage made in heaven...
Just finished unpacking from a transcontinental move or looking for an upgrade in training? Even if you’re simply in the market for a fresh place to beat up the heavy bag, choosing a new gym can tough stuff.
There are lots of things to consider when you hand over hard earner dollars in exchange for sweat. To top it off, many places push you to sign up for months-long memberships after just one trial class. This is precious little time get the lay of the land.
How do you want to assess the ecology of a gym, from coaches, to schedules, to potentially cool or disastrous other members in just 1.5 hours? The following check-list will give you an idea of what to look for…
1) Do I know my training goals?
Your objectives dictate which gym is right for you. If you’re primarily interested in fitness – not competition – you’ll need a place with friendly, motivating instructors who’ll coax you through those painful last few reps. Classes set to music are fun, and a relaxed environment is important. Look for girls in yoga pants – they’re a good sign of this type of place.
If you want to start out as a fighter, make sure the gym houses a competition team and has a policy of promoting new talent. Be very, very sure the head coach knows something about booking fights (you don’t want your debut to be against Big Bertha who just retired from professional boxing)! You’ll want to know, also, whether the competition team is open to new members. Some gyms maintain a closed circle among fighters, which is hard to penetrate, especially if no other women compete. A little relaxed conversation with one or two of the fighters should yield some answers.
Got a few fights under your belt? In this case, you likely know what will work for you in training. You’ll want to focus on the connection with the coach (does he or she seem interested in you?), on the rapport with the other competitors (do they make eye contact?) and on the gym’s reputation for placing fighters at good events (do they send people to regional, national or international events?).
2) What will my play-mates be like?
If you weigh 120 lbs you can’t train like someone who weighs 200 lbs. For female fighters, it’s super important to train in an environment open to students of different weights and sizes. If on the first day you find yourself in the ring with a 200 lb beginner and he’s swinging like it’s a barroom brawl, something may be wrong.
Because women fighters are often smaller, lighter and have smaller biceps, it’s important that the guys you spar with be experienced and/or intelligent enough to work with you. The trainer should establish ground rules when it comes to hitting, so observe how he contains sparring.
Again, other women are a good sign when assessing the overall brutishness of a gym. Be on the lookout for bloody noses and disorganized or unsupervised sparring. Coaches who get in the ring or on the mats with a macho attitude or wanting to “teach students a lesson” are also a red flag.
When you’re 60 lbs lighter than everyone else, a brutish environment is NOT conducive to learning and progress. It is, on the other hand, a good way to get injuries, headaches and serious frustration. Don’t let mean playmates put you off training altogether!
3) Geography and time zone
Two other things to recon with are distance from home and schedule. If you want to train during lunch time, the 8 to 10pm class isn’t going to do you much good. These issues might seem small at the outset, but if your goal is to be in the gym multiple times a week, the 45-minute trek across town in traffic will eventually interfere!
4) Still not sure?
Don’t be shy to chat with the coaches about your objectives – but beware of the sales pitch! While competition-oriented gyms are usually clear that the fitness clientele isn’t welcome, small gyms or inexperienced coaches frequently try to pull in new talent by sounding important. Check coaches’ credentials and track records of booking fights. Other women training at the gym are also a great resource!
If all else fails, spend some time online. Forums for your area will list gyms and have valuable testimonials. The net is also a good place to check out a trainer’s reputation. If you’re looking for a place that promotes its competitors, then the gym’s name should appear on online fight cards. You can also check how much their fighters travel.
5) One final word –
Whatever you do, don’t take a yearly subscription up front! When trying out a new place, rather start out with a 1-month or, at most, a 3-month membership. Personality flaws aren’t always visible on the first date and gyms are no different. Don’t sign up for a 1-year relationship before you know if the other person picks their nose at dinner!
Just finished unpacking from a transcontinental move or looking for an upgrade in training? Even if you’re simply in the market for a fresh place to beat up the heavy bag, choosing a new gym can tough stuff.
There are lots of things to consider when you hand over hard earner dollars in exchange for sweat. To top it off, many places push you to sign up for months-long memberships after just one trial class. This is precious little time get the lay of the land.
How do you want to assess the ecology of a gym, from coaches, to schedules, to potentially cool or disastrous other members in just 1.5 hours? The following check-list will give you an idea of what to look for…
1) Do I know my training goals?
Your objectives dictate which gym is right for you. If you’re primarily interested in fitness – not competition – you’ll need a place with friendly, motivating instructors who’ll coax you through those painful last few reps. Classes set to music are fun, and a relaxed environment is important. Look for girls in yoga pants – they’re a good sign of this type of place.
If you want to start out as a fighter, make sure the gym houses a competition team and has a policy of promoting new talent. Be very, very sure the head coach knows something about booking fights (you don’t want your debut to be against Big Bertha who just retired from professional boxing)! You’ll want to know, also, whether the competition team is open to new members. Some gyms maintain a closed circle among fighters, which is hard to penetrate, especially if no other women compete. A little relaxed conversation with one or two of the fighters should yield some answers.
Got a few fights under your belt? In this case, you likely know what will work for you in training. You’ll want to focus on the connection with the coach (does he or she seem interested in you?), on the rapport with the other competitors (do they make eye contact?) and on the gym’s reputation for placing fighters at good events (do they send people to regional, national or international events?).
2) What will my play-mates be like?
If you weigh 120 lbs you can’t train like someone who weighs 200 lbs. For female fighters, it’s super important to train in an environment open to students of different weights and sizes. If on the first day you find yourself in the ring with a 200 lb beginner and he’s swinging like it’s a barroom brawl, something may be wrong.
Because women fighters are often smaller, lighter and have smaller biceps, it’s important that the guys you spar with be experienced and/or intelligent enough to work with you. The trainer should establish ground rules when it comes to hitting, so observe how he contains sparring.
Again, other women are a good sign when assessing the overall brutishness of a gym. Be on the lookout for bloody noses and disorganized or unsupervised sparring. Coaches who get in the ring or on the mats with a macho attitude or wanting to “teach students a lesson” are also a red flag.
When you’re 60 lbs lighter than everyone else, a brutish environment is NOT conducive to learning and progress. It is, on the other hand, a good way to get injuries, headaches and serious frustration. Don’t let mean playmates put you off training altogether!
3) Geography and time zone
Two other things to recon with are distance from home and schedule. If you want to train during lunch time, the 8 to 10pm class isn’t going to do you much good. These issues might seem small at the outset, but if your goal is to be in the gym multiple times a week, the 45-minute trek across town in traffic will eventually interfere!
4) Still not sure?
Don’t be shy to chat with the coaches about your objectives – but beware of the sales pitch! While competition-oriented gyms are usually clear that the fitness clientele isn’t welcome, small gyms or inexperienced coaches frequently try to pull in new talent by sounding important. Check coaches’ credentials and track records of booking fights. Other women training at the gym are also a great resource!
If all else fails, spend some time online. Forums for your area will list gyms and have valuable testimonials. The net is also a good place to check out a trainer’s reputation. If you’re looking for a place that promotes its competitors, then the gym’s name should appear on online fight cards. You can also check how much their fighters travel.
5) One final word –
Whatever you do, don’t take a yearly subscription up front! When trying out a new place, rather start out with a 1-month or, at most, a 3-month membership. Personality flaws aren’t always visible on the first date and gyms are no different. Don’t sign up for a 1-year relationship before you know if the other person picks their nose at dinner!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
COMING BACK - Some tips on getting back to training after a break
Going from this...
to this...
Training after a long break can be a challenge. Physiologically, cardio abilty starts to slip after as little as a week and begins to drop off seriously after two. Muscle- and flexibility loss takes places after maybe three weeks. Of course, if you're sparring, your timing will begin suffer also after a month.
Be prepared for wobbly legs, non-existant cardio and shot flexibility. These symptoms are normal. Along with muscle stiffness the day after!
Here are some tips for how to handle the transition with the least pain possible...
DO take it easy the first few times back in the gym. Especially in the first training session back "on the job" just go through the movements, and get back to "feeling" what your body knows how to do. You can build up to your previous levels of cardio, speed and techniques later. The first class back is just about getting the engine moving again.
DON'T stretch too much, drink too little, or go back for a second training session too early. Give your body time to recover. You've just begun to shock it back into shape. Be gentle with yourself and don't risk getting hurt. An injury just means more time on the couch!
DO be patient. It might seem at first like you've lost ground, but your automatisms have actually softened during your time off. If you can remember some of your bad habits, this is a good time to work on them. This is perhaps one of the main opportunities you gain when executing a come-back.
DON'T go in for a long sparring session without training your eye and timing first. You need to do some structured exercises on the pads or with a partner to get yourself seeing openings and punches or kicks coming your way. Otherwise you risk getting a bump on the nose and some serious frustration.
DO let your coach know you've been off for a while and want to take it easy. There's no point having him yell at you for being lazy.
And, finally, DON'T get discouraged or start saying "I'm too old for this". The body takes about 2 weeks to begin to feel comfortable again with training and probably about a month to get into actual fightin' shape again.
Happy coming back !
to this...
Training after a long break can be a challenge. Physiologically, cardio abilty starts to slip after as little as a week and begins to drop off seriously after two. Muscle- and flexibility loss takes places after maybe three weeks. Of course, if you're sparring, your timing will begin suffer also after a month.
Be prepared for wobbly legs, non-existant cardio and shot flexibility. These symptoms are normal. Along with muscle stiffness the day after!
Here are some tips for how to handle the transition with the least pain possible...
DO take it easy the first few times back in the gym. Especially in the first training session back "on the job" just go through the movements, and get back to "feeling" what your body knows how to do. You can build up to your previous levels of cardio, speed and techniques later. The first class back is just about getting the engine moving again.
DON'T stretch too much, drink too little, or go back for a second training session too early. Give your body time to recover. You've just begun to shock it back into shape. Be gentle with yourself and don't risk getting hurt. An injury just means more time on the couch!
DO be patient. It might seem at first like you've lost ground, but your automatisms have actually softened during your time off. If you can remember some of your bad habits, this is a good time to work on them. This is perhaps one of the main opportunities you gain when executing a come-back.
DON'T go in for a long sparring session without training your eye and timing first. You need to do some structured exercises on the pads or with a partner to get yourself seeing openings and punches or kicks coming your way. Otherwise you risk getting a bump on the nose and some serious frustration.
DO let your coach know you've been off for a while and want to take it easy. There's no point having him yell at you for being lazy.
And, finally, DON'T get discouraged or start saying "I'm too old for this". The body takes about 2 weeks to begin to feel comfortable again with training and probably about a month to get into actual fightin' shape again.
Happy coming back !
Friday, October 23, 2009
THINKING LIKE A WOMAN-FIGHTER
Written by Martin Morris, reprinted from Wfighter.com
What separates the people that spend their lives working toward a goal while others work to live an average life. The way a person thinks will determine where an individual is today and where they will be tomorrow. As a fighter, you have to continually think about what you are thinking about. You want to make sure you are doing things that get you closer to a goal. What separates the people that spend their lives working toward a goal while others work to live an average life. The way a person thinks will determine where an individual is today and where they will be tomorrow. As a fighter, you have to continually think about what you are thinking about. You want to make sure you are doing things that get you closer to a goal. The most precious gift you have is your mind and what you put in it can make you strong or weak. You can’t afford to associate with people that are not encouraging you to be better than you are, telling you to settle for less in life, or over indulging in pleasure to accept not working toward higher goals
With the recent appointment of a woman to the Supreme Court, the political influence of women in this country has just increased. With the increasing influence of women in political power, they will want to see women be successful in other professions. Therefore, they will want to see women fighting sports be successful, so they have an inspiration for them to get their motivation to do their jobs well. To make this sport attractive to the women leaders, you must think big and do the things necessary to keep your moving along. I believe by investing in yourself, analyzing you current situation, working through crisis, and continuing to grow that you can keep you career and personal life on the right course.
What separates the people that spend their lives working toward a goal while others work to live an average life. The way a person thinks will determine where an individual is today and where they will be tomorrow. As a fighter, you have to continually think about what you are thinking about. You want to make sure you are doing things that get you closer to a goal. What separates the people that spend their lives working toward a goal while others work to live an average life. The way a person thinks will determine where an individual is today and where they will be tomorrow. As a fighter, you have to continually think about what you are thinking about. You want to make sure you are doing things that get you closer to a goal. The most precious gift you have is your mind and what you put in it can make you strong or weak. You can’t afford to associate with people that are not encouraging you to be better than you are, telling you to settle for less in life, or over indulging in pleasure to accept not working toward higher goals
With the recent appointment of a woman to the Supreme Court, the political influence of women in this country has just increased. With the increasing influence of women in political power, they will want to see women be successful in other professions. Therefore, they will want to see women fighting sports be successful, so they have an inspiration for them to get their motivation to do their jobs well. To make this sport attractive to the women leaders, you must think big and do the things necessary to keep your moving along. I believe by investing in yourself, analyzing you current situation, working through crisis, and continuing to grow that you can keep you career and personal life on the right course.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
RETURNING HOME AFTER INDIA
It's the last day of my trip to India, and though I normally wouldn't tie up the airwaves with personal blah blah, there are junctures and moments where you want to say something personal... This is one of them ;)
I've just spent 3 weeks visiting another planet - or at least that's what it feels like - holy cows, people living im huts, Hindi film songs, pigs eating garbage, rickety trains, super hospitality, spicy curry for breakfast, and reed-thin ladies in bright bright saris beimg wholly new experiences for a Canadian.
To top it off, I - like many people I suspect - came here because I wanted answers. Not answers that could necessarily be derived from India - really, this idea was a bit silly from the start. I see that now. I guess I just figured if I got myself here, I'd somehow know by the time my trip was over. I'm in the process of changing jobs, moving continents (back home after time 2 years working in France). I have to decide, also, what is to become of the man in my life.
What made me think I'd find answers here?
I am aware I am leaving with a suitcase full of incredible experiences, but I feel like I just came back from the supermarket with a trunk full of groceries containing nothing I set out to get. I can't quite decide whether to be angry with myself for picking up the wrong things... ;)
But you don't always choose, do you? What you come out of the store with. That's the beauty and the absurdity of life.
Paulo Coelho writes in the alchemist: "If you realy really want something bad enough, the whole universe conspires to give it to you."
I wonder if that is true. I wonder about directing all your energies at something with such focus. It is true in one sense - putting your power in a certain direction does have a way of pulling things closer. But what about being careful what you wish for? Isn't there something there about the risks of just maybe getting what you want?
You have a responsability then for being happy with the result, don't you?
"To take up arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them..."
I've just spent 3 weeks visiting another planet - or at least that's what it feels like - holy cows, people living im huts, Hindi film songs, pigs eating garbage, rickety trains, super hospitality, spicy curry for breakfast, and reed-thin ladies in bright bright saris beimg wholly new experiences for a Canadian.
To top it off, I - like many people I suspect - came here because I wanted answers. Not answers that could necessarily be derived from India - really, this idea was a bit silly from the start. I see that now. I guess I just figured if I got myself here, I'd somehow know by the time my trip was over. I'm in the process of changing jobs, moving continents (back home after time 2 years working in France). I have to decide, also, what is to become of the man in my life.
What made me think I'd find answers here?
I am aware I am leaving with a suitcase full of incredible experiences, but I feel like I just came back from the supermarket with a trunk full of groceries containing nothing I set out to get. I can't quite decide whether to be angry with myself for picking up the wrong things... ;)
But you don't always choose, do you? What you come out of the store with. That's the beauty and the absurdity of life.
Paulo Coelho writes in the alchemist: "If you realy really want something bad enough, the whole universe conspires to give it to you."
I wonder if that is true. I wonder about directing all your energies at something with such focus. It is true in one sense - putting your power in a certain direction does have a way of pulling things closer. But what about being careful what you wish for? Isn't there something there about the risks of just maybe getting what you want?
You have a responsability then for being happy with the result, don't you?
"To take up arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them..."
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
VACATION IN INDIA !
Hi blog readers !
I'm visiting India in the next month, so blog entries will be a bit slow...
Have a good month + more good stuff on the way ;)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
BOOK REVIEW - THE PETER PRINCIPLE
The ultimate book on human incompetence...
Laurence Peter and Raymond Hull's book, The Peter Principle, is an oldy but a goody. First published in 1969, this satirical book explains incompetence in all human organizations with one very simple adage: "People always rise to the level of their own incompetence, and then stagnate there, preventing all useful work from being done."
To back up their theory, the authors demonstrate time and again how the skills that lead to promotion actually have nothing to do with the skills necessary for successfully accomplishing the job. For example, a great machinist may get promoted for being good with manual and spatial tasks. Seeing his ease and skill in his initial functions, he is quickly promoted to shop foreman. The reality, however, is that the skills required to be a good foreman (organizational, social and so on) are nothing like the abilities needed to cope effectively with work as a machinist. Not only does our company, then, risk losing a good machinist, it also risks gaining a poor foreman.
And on and on - Peter and Hull spare no expense in illustrating the principle of promotion beyond ones level of competence.
And then their book gets really funny. There are two chapters near the end of the book, enumerating the medical- and psychological symptoms of what the authors term "Final Placement" at the level of ones own incompetence - a level at which one is doomed to live out the rest of ones career, given that promotion is not longer possible when one blatantly doesn't have the skills to be successful at ones present placement.
Hull and Peter enumerate spurious and hilarious syndromes such as "Phonophilia" (the desire for many different telephones in a vain attempt to remain constantly connected to ones inferiors) and Papyrophilia (the belief that vaste accumulations of paper will somehow protect one from work-related errors).
These chapters I recommend reading quietly when one is home alone - if you risk reading them in a public space, prepare for questioning looks. While reading these chapters, spectators at the French unemployment office were wondering whether I was laughing or crying.
From my vantage point as a "chomeur" I now have the time and liberty to contemplate human incompetence from a very safe perch indeed, at least for the next year until my "allocations" run out !
Laurence Peter and Raymond Hull's book, The Peter Principle, is an oldy but a goody. First published in 1969, this satirical book explains incompetence in all human organizations with one very simple adage: "People always rise to the level of their own incompetence, and then stagnate there, preventing all useful work from being done."
To back up their theory, the authors demonstrate time and again how the skills that lead to promotion actually have nothing to do with the skills necessary for successfully accomplishing the job. For example, a great machinist may get promoted for being good with manual and spatial tasks. Seeing his ease and skill in his initial functions, he is quickly promoted to shop foreman. The reality, however, is that the skills required to be a good foreman (organizational, social and so on) are nothing like the abilities needed to cope effectively with work as a machinist. Not only does our company, then, risk losing a good machinist, it also risks gaining a poor foreman.
And on and on - Peter and Hull spare no expense in illustrating the principle of promotion beyond ones level of competence.
And then their book gets really funny. There are two chapters near the end of the book, enumerating the medical- and psychological symptoms of what the authors term "Final Placement" at the level of ones own incompetence - a level at which one is doomed to live out the rest of ones career, given that promotion is not longer possible when one blatantly doesn't have the skills to be successful at ones present placement.
Hull and Peter enumerate spurious and hilarious syndromes such as "Phonophilia" (the desire for many different telephones in a vain attempt to remain constantly connected to ones inferiors) and Papyrophilia (the belief that vaste accumulations of paper will somehow protect one from work-related errors).
These chapters I recommend reading quietly when one is home alone - if you risk reading them in a public space, prepare for questioning looks. While reading these chapters, spectators at the French unemployment office were wondering whether I was laughing or crying.
From my vantage point as a "chomeur" I now have the time and liberty to contemplate human incompetence from a very safe perch indeed, at least for the next year until my "allocations" run out !
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