Childhood obesity is rampant in most developed countries. A current controversy facing physical education (P.E.) classes in schools everywhere is whether or not to do body composition testing on students. Body composition testing uses a series of skin-fold measurements to determine a person’s body fat percentage. Generally, calipers are used to take the skin-fold measurements; there are other methods of body composition testing available, but the caliper method is the one often used by schools and can be fairly accurate when administered by trained personnel. In a school setting, a member of the same sex should always administer the test.

Obesity is a problem in America...

April 21st, 2010

Virginia Beach KRAV MAGA

Reasons to Consider KRAV MAGA Training!

Changing Lives Martial Arts Krav Maga in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, Virginia. www.kravmagavirgniabeach.com

Krav Maga classes attract different people for different reasons. Some pursue the arts as an interesting hobby. Others consider the health and self-defense benefits of Krav Maga training. No matter the reason, there are many things to consider when making the decision to join a class. To get the most out of training, make a list of your goals and desires and explore your options. You want to find a class that will help you with your goals. Below are some common reasons for exploring Krav Maga.

Adult Health and Fitness with Changing Lives ATA Martial Arts in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake

Changing Lives ATA Martial Arts knows the physical aspects of taekwondo martial arts and makes it an effective way to exercise the whole body -- muscles, coordination, and aerobic.

Martial Arts is a physical endeavor. Students can expect to receive an intense physical workout, benefiting their strength, balance, and cardiovascular systems. This workout makes martial arts a great fitness activity to include in a personal physical fitness and exercise routine. http://atakick.com/index.php/our-programs/teens-and-adults.html

Physical Elements of a Typical ATA Martial Arts Class

Depending on the level of the class and the instructor’s preference or schedule, each class session may incorporate the following elements:

• warm-up/stretching
• stances (front stance, middle stance, ready stance, back stance, etc.)
• basics (practicing blocks, strikes, kicks, and other basic moves up and down the floor)
• forms (repeating form segments multiple times)
• sparring (intense bouts)
• one-steps (similar to mini-forms and sparring, with a partner)
• self-defense techniques

For higher belt ranks, classes may also include weapons training, advanced kicks, and various other advanced martial arts moves.

These various parts of a martial arts class strengthen students’ muscles, improve their balance and coordination, extend their endurance, and improve their cardiovascular health. For an ATA Martial Arts in the Hampton Roads Area, visit www.atakick.com.

Practicing with ATA Martial Arts Builds Muscle and Strength

The different martial arts moves work various muscles throughout the body, providing a full body physical fitness workout for adults.

Martial Arts Stances - from front stance to middle stance or to a chimbe (ready stance) etc. - all strengthen leg muscles, extending endurance and balance.

Martial Arts Kicks - front kick, round kick, crescent kick, side kick, jump front kick etc. - works different core leg muscles, from hip to thigh to calf, and merely lifting each leg exercises it and helps tone the muscles.

Martial Arts Punches and Blocks - punches, strikes, blocks, etc. - fulfill a similar function for the arm and side muscles, using the torque of muscles against one another - resulting in a tremendous amount of force providing a strong physical workout. Practicing also helps martial arts students hit targets harder and more accurately.

Martial Arts Stretching - ATA Martial Arts Certified Instructors recommend stretching before and after each martial arts lesson. Simple stretching tones, lengthens, and prepares the muscles, ensuring students avoid injuries and receive the most effective workout possible.

Practicing the multiple forms of ATA Martial Arts Improves Balance and Coordination

In addition to strengthening and toning muscles, martial arts helps improve a student’s physical coordination.

Holding stances for extended periods of time not only strengthens the leg muscles, but also aids in accomplishing greater balance. Balancing the legs in a proper stance provides a strong foundation for the body, helps transition to the next move in forms, as well as a helps in creating a solid ending stance after completing moves.

Balance is also required when executing kicks, to keep the body upright and to place the kick appropriately and consistently. It also takes coordination to throw a punch at a consistent level and specific location. Repeating forms and other moves accurately and consistently also aids with hand-eye coordination and overall covertness and confidence.

This balance and coordination, sharpen through martial arts training, helps in other areas of life, from walking down the street to balancing on a moving bus to competing in other sports activities. It can even help if a person happens to become caught in a real-life self-defense situation. For more information on reality-based martial arts training, http://atakick.com/index.php/our-programs/reality-based-training.html.

Practicing Martial Arts Provides an Aerobic Workout and Helps Improve Cardio Fitness

ATA Martial Arts classes also provides cardiovascular exercise through completing forms (poomse) and sparring (gyroogi).

Martial Arts Poomse's (forms) teach combinations of moves, simulating a “fight.” The discipline of practicing martial arts partially stem from learning forms at each belt level. Depending on the speed and number of forms to master, this repetition can provide a light, moderate, or vigorous aerobic workout.

Martial Arts Gyroogi's (sparring), which is a short intense fighting bout, as seen during mixed martial arts matches (MMA), can leave students breathless and muscles aching. Participating in a variety of sparring matches during a martial arts class gives students an intense cardio workout, while also demonstrating realistic uses of the basic moves learned in class.

Making Martial Arts a Part of an Exercise and Fitness Routine

Incorporating martial arts into a physical fitness routine is a good way to get and stay healthy and to consistently work the overall body. The varied physical fitness benefits of martial arts develop a life-long means to achieve overall health and fitness.

Every martial arts class conducted at any of the Changing Lives ATA Martial Arts locations contain several of the physical elements discussed here. Some classes might focus on basics (basic strikes and blocks), while others might concentrate on repeating forms, and still others might include sparring and self-defense techniques. This makes some sessions more aerobic and others more about strength and endurance. All classes include some similar elements, such as warming up, stretching, and holding stances.

Practicing martial arts consistently two to four times a week or more provides sufficient time working every muscle group and the body as a whole. Over time, this promotes overall health and well-being.

At Changing Lives ATA Martial Arts, committed students receive a varied and intense full-body physical workout that goes far beyond simply fighting or self-defense.

Changing Lives ATA Martial Arts in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake encourages you participate in our Free 3 Day Fitness Course. We have four locations to help you achieve your health and fitness goals. For more information, please visit us at www.atakick.com.

Changing Lives ATA Martial Arts in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake Promotes Tiny Tiger Martial Arts for Preschool Children, ages 3-6.

It is well known throughout the Hampton Roads area how beneficial training in martial arts can be for both children and adults; however, studies show that the earlier your child starts martial arts, the more it can help him or her throughout their developmental stages. Changing Lives ATA Martial Arts in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake encourage your child to grow in body, mind and spirit.

"Our Tiny Tiger ATA Martial Arts program benefits children in many self ways, like self control, self defense, and self discipline. It gives your child a chance to strengthen his or her body and mind", states Senior Master T.L. Thomas, 7th Degree Master Instructor, he owns multiple ATA Martial Arts academies in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. http://atakick.com

“Own Your Legacy” Regional Taekwondo Tournament

ATA Martial Arts Tournament Host Region 111
Master Instructor; Senior Master T. L. Thomas 7th Degree
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Date: April 16th-17th 2010
Location: Virginia Beach Convention Center
City, State: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Hotel and Resort Accommodations: http://www.vbfun.com/visitors/accommodations.aspx
ATA Tournament Information: http://atakick.com/index.php/tournament-2010.html