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Martial Arts Equipment For All Styles

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In the “old days,” it was not unusual for jugs of water, bags of rice, and buckets filled with sand to be incorporated into a number of different workout programs. Nowadays, we’re fortunate enough to have access to an excellent selection of martial arts equipment. Because of the effective usage of such equipment, it becomes possible to achieve the most from a structured class or private training.

Of course, this could raise questions regarding the type of martial arts equipment is necessary for the “average” workout. Again, there’s enormous variety available. Below is a brief overview of the martial arts equipment you’ll commonly encounter. Nearly all of it is a must for virtually every martial arts practitioner regardless of style.

Certainly, the common punch bag is a clear must in a dojo or training hall. Punching bags not just give you a definitive target to direct your blows towards. Such bags enhance the possibility to develop solid endurance and cardiovascular conditioning. You can find great variety among the many different punching bags available and they include:

Standard Boxing Size: These would be traditional boxing bags that mimic the shape and size of the torso. They’re primarily for the purpose of punching but mid-line and high line kicks are generally effectively trained on these bags as well.

Banana Bags: Most are thinner punching bags which are the size of the human body. The lower region of the punch bag permits the effective training of leg kicks, knees, and also other strikes.

Light Bags: Light punching bags are low weight (about 1/3 the weight and size of a punching bag) and are designed mainly to give resistance to jabbing style punches as well as hook and uppercut line blows. Some even make use of a lightweight punch bag to train headbutts!

Punching bags may be hanging bags that are affixed to various “hooks” in the ceiling or they may be freestanding. Freestanding bags are, essentially durable base mounts. Such bags are significantly more expensive than a number of the traditional hanging bags but they are much easier to move and store.

While hitting the heavy bag is really a must for effective training, you really do need to hit it in as safe a manner as possible. This will likely require the proper protective gloves essential for hitting an impact target. Including all manner of impact targets – heavy bags, focus mitts, shields, and Muay Thai pads. The knuckles inside the hand are quite small and fragile bones. For this reason reliable gloves – whether they are traditional 12oz, 14oz, or 16oz boxing gloves, boxing bag gloves, or mixed martial arts lightweight finger free gloves – must be worn when hitting a heavy punch bag. For those that enjoy sparring with “point karate” gloves, be mindful of the fact that such gloves aren’t manufactured for hitting impact targets. They will not provide you with the adequate protection you require for such training. Stick with using them for light contact sparring instead.

As most martial artists realize, the hands are not the only area that require protection which explains why a substantial amount of martial arts equipment will provide protection to the feet. Shin pads and point fighting footwear are two of the most common. Some may assume that such equipment is only used in sparring. In actuality, wearing when hitting impact targets is advisable too since this can protect the lower extremities and nerve endings from damage. Really, the perennial running theme here is that most martial arts equipment is intended to enhance safety. Obviously, you can also get some items that serve other purposes as well and they’re well worth a look at too.

Stretching devices can be employed to help you extend the range of motion in the leg ligaments. This will definitely prove helpful for people who would like to enhance their kicking flexibility. Similarly, the “old school” Eagle Catcher is a perfect spring action handheld device designed to build up a great level of gripping stretch. The classic makiwara pad has long since been used to toughen the hands in traditional karate training. Similarly, the kung fu wall bag is a fantastic asset for developing strikes common in the Chinese martial arts. Such older and more traditional training aids definitely have their place in a modern world which is becoming more and more noted for its sportive approach to training. But, whether you are practicing for competition or traditional self-defense, you will need equipment that helps facilitate your goals.

Regardless of the type of martial arts equipment you purchase, you want to make sure it is from a reputable name brand manufacturer. Some will make the error of buying more affordable equipment from a “no frills” manufacturer. Rarely is such equipment worth much of anything. Not only will cheap equipment not deliver on expectations, it can put the user at an injury risk. Certainly, that would not be helpful in any way whatsoever. Keep with reliable name brands for your martial arts equipment needs. Such an approach will assuredly prove significantly more helpful in the end.

Mixed Martial Arts Baltimore Training for More Than Competitive Fighting

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Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA, combines different fighting techniques from multiple sources into a single focused approach to fighting and self defense. The techniques used include a mix of both martial arts traditions and non-traditions that are combined for fighting in competitions. By competing in Mixed Martial Arts competitions, martial artists from many different backgrounds can compete against each other, following rules that allow various striking and grappling techniques from both standing and ground positions.
Competitive history of MMA fighting can be traced back to numerous events in Europe, Japan and the Pacific Rim through out the early 1900s. In more recent history, the modern era of Mixed Martial Arts, competition started with the founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship or UFC in the early 1990s. The huge growth in popularity of the UFC and MMA resulted in numerous training centers either opening new or switching their programs over to use Mixed Martial Arts for self defense as well as high intensity workouts. Training in Mixed Martial Arts has hit the mainstream and is now practiced by a wide range of individuals at nearly any age.
Most ‘traditional’ mixed martial arts have a specific focus and these arts could be trained to improve in that area. The most popular disciplines for each type include Stand-Up forms (like kick boxing and full contact karate), Clinch form (like Greco-Roman wrestling, Same, and Judo) for clinching or throwing, and Ground form (like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Sambo) which improve ground control and submission holds. These focus areas were initially practiced individually by competitive fighters. As the sport has become more mainstream and more widely taught the techniques have combined into a single Mixed Martial Arts program. The key to a successful result of mixed martial arts training is to find the right trainer and maintain a consistent workout schedule.

An example of such a training center with the right trainers is the Baltimore MD based Crazy 88 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu center (http://www.baltimore-mma.com). Mixed Martial Arts Baltimore is the Crazy 88 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training center. Crazy 88 BJJ is the Team Lloyd Irvin Training Center that teaches BJJ to anyone. While the center has members that compete at national levels around the United States they also have many members who train just for the high quality workout that BJJ can be. For Mixed Martial Arts in Baltimore, Crazy 88 offers the facility and trainers to enable any student to develop their skills regardless of starting level, and also to keep in shape.

Often, beginners to the BJJ training methods are intimidated by the usual training approaches. The usual approach typically involves throwing new people into advanced courses to get beat up and learn the painful way. Crazy 88 BJJ the center for Mixed Martial Arts Baltimore has specifically designed workout schedules and trainers that work with beginning students of all ages. In fact, almost 50% of their training center’s courses are “White Belt” courses, designed specifically for beginners.

While traditional Mixed Martial Arts programs have focused on training for competition, the popularity of the UFC and other type events have moved MMA and more specifically BJJ training into a mainstream fitness approach for many people. BJJ has proven to be an excellent workout routine for students of all ages and all skill levels if you have the appropriate facility, the right trainers, a flexible program, and stay consistent in the workouts.

Martial Arts Tattoo Weakens The Fighting Spirit Of Ufc Gladiators

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That a Martial Arts Tattoo could indicate who would win an MMA match is nothing short of surprising. Yet, it seems to be the fact. To be sure, this is a quite unscientific survey, yet the results seem to be fairly predictable.

The project first began a couple of weeks ago, when this martial artist/writer was spending an exciting night perched in front of the tube. Exciting, because it was man to man contests of pure savagery: the mayhem and mania of grown men pounding one another to bloody pulps. At some point during these fights the question was born: do martial artists with tattoos adorning their bodies win more, or lose more?

A balance sheet was kept, results were tallied, and the results gave a decided advantage to the uninked ones being more victorious. Mind you, there was some confusion to be sorted out. After all, the bodies being tallied had to be compared for tattoos.

Two fighters had designs swirling across their torsos. Which one used more ink? Which artwork covered more flesh?

Regardless of proportions of ink and flesh, the martial arts fighters with less ink won more times than their inkier brethren. Actual statistics were between 70 and 80 per cent. These statistics held true for later tabulations, actually leaning even more in favor of the unmarked Mixed Martial Artists.

One factor that was of interest, but proved too difficult to keep track of was whether the type of tattoo had any effect on the proportions. The speed of the matches, the motion of the fighters, it was difficult to tell whether the contestants had a Karate tattoo, or a Bruce Lee Tattoo. The only specific tat noticed by this author was in conjunction with a victory by a Latin fighter with Heysoos emblazoned across his body.

Comes the question: why would a tattoo make a difference in a fight? Various theories were considered, theories having to do with the amount of ink having an adverse effect on the ‘breathing’ of the body. Or whether ink could have an effect on the musculature under the skin.

In the end, no theory held for all the facts, one could only reach the conclusion that fighters who cared more about image were not as concerned with punching power. That fighters who cared about how they looked, were not as serious about building the unique fighting willpower that is crucial to the successful gladiator. That a Martial Arts tattoo could very well weaken the fighting spirit of a man.

Jason Mecier Mixed Media Art

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Jason Mecier is a mixed media artist that has spent over 10 years making three dimensional mosaics of pop icons. Every portrait is created from discarded items that come directly from the celebrities themselves. Working and living in San Francisco, Jason Mecier wishes ultimately to trade his art with Jane Seymour, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Marilyn Manson whose watercolors are available for sale on his website.

Among the mixed media art that he creates, Jason Mecier offers his rendition of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Created on a panel, the wide array of Elviras refuse has been put together to create not only a very close likeness, but a piece of art that any Elvira fan would enjoy. The background is created from the line of Halloween makeup that has the Elvira likeness and name attached. Made up of false nails, spiders, comics, bracelets, tubes and even a remote control, Elvira stands striking the pose so many fans know her for.

Willie Nelson is another of Jason Meciers mixed media art portraits. Made of objects such as paperclips, buttons, a feather, leaves, a die and even a plug, this portrait resembles the star whose trademark black shirt is made of roofing tiles. With wood as a backdrop, this piece could be hung on the walls of any fan or collector of Jason or Willies pieces.

Jason creates a likeness of Donald Trump in the next piece, whose background is made up of the likeness of one hundred dollar bills. A bow tie made from hair clipper guards, jacket including a remote control and a shoe, even discarded bow ties from Mr. Trump make up this fantastic image. An old cordless home phone, a hairspray can, Colgate can and an H. Urmann cigar tube are all included in this masterpiece. Cell phones, plug wires, shells and circuit boards along with the artistic touch of Jason Mecier, is all it takes to create the Trump in your home.

Phyllis Diller, the comedienne of days gone by is recreated in this stunning likeness by Jason Mecier. O a 70s inspired flowered panel, Phyllis Diller is in life a creation of mixed media art. This piece is made from many items including a Tabasco sauce bottle, doll torso, lipstick applicator, toothbrush, beads and baubles as well as perfume bottles and a matchbox from the St. Francis and scotch tape dispensers. Mecier outdone himself on this piece, as it is hard to pin down the woman in life, and depicting her in art is rarely done correctly. This piece is not only a tribute to the woman, but to Jasons hard work and determination in perfection.

When it comes to depicting the life of the rich and famous in mixed media art, it seems as though this artist has all the bases covered. From reclaimed materials and personal items to arrangement for creation of his pieces, Jason Mecier has created his own personal niche in the art world in the form of sunglasses and gum wrappers.

Martial Arts Management And The Dojo Store

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If you aren’t selling equipment, supplies, and apparel at your martial arts school, you are definitely missing out on a significant source of revenue. As a practitioner of good martial arts management, a dojo master should always be looking for ways to further serve the students and sustain the school. The sale of services and products in addition to the core school lessons is an important aspect of any successful school. The dojo store can become a very active and profitable part of your school.

Additional Sources of Revenue

In most businesses, it is important to have a few different revenue streams. This way, if the sales of the main product or service falter in any way and for any reason, the other revenue sources can carry the business, at least for a while. Having a peripheral sales generator for your school is a good insurance policy.

It may seem to you as if setting up the dojo store is a big investment of time and money up front, and it can be if it is done too quickly or too expansively. But having the basic equipment on hand, in popular sizes, can be a quick sale to new or advancing students. You may want to display some of the most popular items, but most items for sale can simply be listed on an order form.

What You Should Stock From the Beginning

Here is some of the equipment you might want to have on hand to sell to your students:

Sparring Gear – depending on the particular martial art you are teaching, this can include head protection, mouth guards, hand and foot pads, and chest and groin protectors. Shin and arm protectors are common as well.

Uniforms – especially if you are teaching children, new uniforms will be in constant demand as they grow. Children can grow into a new uniform size every year.

Dojo Logo Equipment – offer a selection of t-shirts, sweatshirts, baseball hats, bandanas, and equipment bags, all displaying the name and logo of your school. Remember that anyone wearing your logo is advertising your school.

Training Gear – you can offer the basic training gear, such as paddles or even punching bags, along with printed training cards and educational information such as books or DVDs. You should use caution with the quantity of some of these as they can be expensive to stock up front.

Keep the Stream Flowing

You should remind your students regularly about the equipment and supplies you offer for sale. Remind them with a statement in class, post flyers at your school about the sale of equipment, send email notices once in a while to all of your students, and offer periodic sales and discounts. You could even offer coupons for a certain percentage off merchandise as a birthday present and encourage people to purchase gift certificates.

If you advertise your sale of martial arts equipment in the local media, such as the yellow pages, it may even result in an increase in enrollments by getting the name of your school in front of people.

Your students will need to purchase their martial arts equipment from someone; some company down the street or on the Internet. Why shouldn’t it be you? Your dojo store can provide the equipment and supplies that your students need, and provide you with a new and profitable source of revenue, an important part of your martial arts management plan.

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