FITNESS: The Rickson Gracie Workout

Damn, im motivated and inspired!

Go All In and Just Do It.

HYPE: The ONE Fighting Championships: War of the Lions

The ONE Fighting Championships: War of the Lions (31st March 2012 @ The Singapore Indoor Stadium)

With just days away from Asia’s Largest Mixed Martial Arts event, I’m pretty stoked to say the least. Happening on the 31st of March at 7pm at Singapore Indoor Stadium, ONE FC is more than just a legalized “Fight Club”. Its a waterhole for the Mixed Martial Arts enthusiast around the the world to gather and enjoy what they love doing.

With ONE FC’s star-studded line-up of Asia’s best professional MMA fighters, you can expect awesome rounds of exhilarating fights and showmanship and possibly knockouts too! Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing my Fight Shape trainer – Eddie “The Magician” Ng compete against  Muay Thai specialist Jian Kai Chee from Muayfit.

After truly enjoying my short but nonetheless exciting stint at Evolve MMA (POMO branch), I must admit, mixed martial arts is a really fascinating sport and a great way to up your level of fitness. Be it your goal to lose weight (yes, i’ve seen my friends shed those pounds through MMA) OR to get that ripped fighter’s body OR simply to learn a new sport, Mixed Martial Arts is indeed a good way to start. (Read: Mixed Martial Arts: Choosing The Right Trainers)

And to those MMA Enthusiast or looking forward to catching the event, LIVE streaming is available for the selected countries below via their YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/ONEFCmma.

Sadly, the streaming is geo-blocked in Singapore and Japan (i.e as networks prefer to call it – restrict access to their online videos outside the territories where they hold the rights).

LIVE Streaming commences at:

8:00 PM – Kuala Lumpur

1:00 PM – London

8:00 AM – New York City

5:00 AM – San Francisco

Mixed Martial Arts: Choosing The Right Trainers

People have been asking me why I delve into the realm of martial arts and all these fighting disciplines like Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Thing about me is that i had always been fascinated and WOW-ed by a fighter’s physique. Well, just take a look at Bruce Lee or Mitch Chilson – simply ripped and is epitome of fit.

Bruce Lee and Mitch Chilson

Going for martial arts classes or picking up such sports DOES NOT make you a badass punk nor turn you into a Hulk when you’re mad. Doing martial arts is certainly very different from what many might think. The purpose and benefits of training in a martial arts discipline outweighs its unsavory image of blood, gore and more blood. Believe it or not, learning martial arts kinda sets you in a calm state of mind and a feel good endorphin rush as you complete it.

Personally, I have been training at Evolve MMA Academy, learning Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu there. I have rubbed shoulders with one of the great trainers there who’ll be taking part in the upcoming ONE FC – a mixed martial arts event staged right here in Singapore! Eddie “The Magician” Ng- this guy trained me in his FIGHT SHAPE class and it was AWESOME.

Eddie “The Magician” Ng

Coming out of his 1 hour class would often see me all perspiring and smiling to myself because i survived his High Intensity Training (HIT) Fight Shape class. Well, along with 10+ other students ranging from 13-year old kids to working women that is.

That being said, i think its important to get a solid, down to earth and great trainer when it comes to picking up martial arts as a sport. I believe there are 3 main things to look out for when choosing or training with a martial arts trainer: CHEMISTRY, EXPERIENCE & FUN.

1) CHEMISTRY

Just like in any relationship, chemistry is essential between a student-trainer too. You know, sometimes there are some of these trainers who come across as arrogant and in it for the money. You can tell (or sometimes SMELL) by the way the trainers interact with the students (or even you) as they impart their skills during the training sessions. If you ever come across such people, you know that is a sign to say Bye Bye. I’m sure you can do better with a trainer who makes you feel at home even though you know that he is probably gonna “kill you” during that session.

Find trainers who inspire you with more than just certificates, accolades or physique. Get the ones who is driven to change YOU and inspire YOU on a whole different level.

2) EXPERIENCE

Experience counts. Its important to have trainers who KNOW and UNDERSTAND their discipline VERY well. There is a clear line between an experienced martial artists and one who is not. Trainers who have never fought in their entire career can never be deemed as experienced to me, because seriously, that’s how it rolls isn’t it? Someone who has been through a fight or competition (win, lose or draw) has much more knowledge in imparting training methods to you than someone who is merely a textbook “fighter”.

3) FUN

Lastly, as i always emphasize in any sports which i pick up, it is important to enjoy your training. No point going through it, feeling bruised and battered but you don’t feel fun. Mentally, you would not want to go for it again and that would be the start of you not coming back for training. True story.

Till next time, Guten Tag and train hard! 

Choose the right trainers

The Skinny Of My Active Sporting Lifestyle.

Start of the 2nd month in 2012, i thought i’ll share with the newer readers: WHY I TRAIN. An old post, but nonetheless, still GOLD. And looking back at it, motivates & inspires me to work harder.

Contrary to its name, this blog has grown from merely a running blog to something which covers a wider range of sports and fitness and also health. Inspiring the uninspired to run, bike, swim and train etc. This post goes out to all those skinny guys and ANYONE who AIMS to achieve something better this year.

To be fitter, faster, stronger, better.

~

Family members, relatives and friends used to ask/tell me all sorts of questions like “Why you train so hard?”, “Concentrate on your education and not your gym/running stuff.”, “Some people people so fit also die early.” and blah blah blah. Well, this post is gonna be pretty much about me and my journey to reach my goal of achieving a the physique and fitness of a Roman God Bod.

I must say that i’ve not reached there YET. Hahaha. Slowly but surely yeah? This posts goes out especially to all the people out there who is like me, skinny and weak, and seek to have a better bod and fitness level. I feel you bro.

Anyways, I had always wanted to share my love of fitness and also my interest in weights training to achieve that physique that one can only dream of. You know, kinda like those Men’s Health front cover models. ;P I personally started gyming and understanding the different forms of exercises for different muscle groups when i was 17. Yes, i do remember it clearly because that was one of those moments in your life which you realise that your decision had made a great impact to your future self. Its like a decision to get married or to have a kid. THAT extreme? YES it is!

First and foremost, i, like many other self-claimed skinny guys out there is what scientist classify as ECTOMORPH. Also known as a “hard gainer” for our inability to gain as much weight even though we might eat the same amount as those we claim as “fat people”. We have high metabolism thus we burn more calories faster than what we take in. And guess what? Brad Pitt is an ECTOMORPH too! Yay! Got “spiritual” connection liao. Somehow, i feel like Tyler Durden (from FIGHT CLUB) and Achilles (from Troy) now.

I tried. Very hard to gain weight.

Yes, i did almost a lot of things to try and gain as much weight, but to no effect. Chin up regime when i was ard 6-7 years old didnt help much nor did eating a whole tray of rice, chicken and what nots when i was in secondary school. Okay, i was kidding about the former. Hahaha!

Basically, i was a thin and fragile kid back in my secondary school days. My weight was always fluctuating between 45-50kg AND FOR A GUY, that is kinda light. It didnt help that i was a hyperactive kid and participated in outdoor activities as well as sports. (i was a Scout Trooper from 1997-2005 & i played touch rugby from 1997-1999) As much as i tried to eat, my stomach just couldnt take in much calories and i get full very easily. *sigh sigh sigh*

2001. Scouting moments

Well anyways, i remember it as clearly as it was yesterday when back then in 2005, a female friend of mine exclaimed to me that i had a weight of a girl as we were taking our Height & Weight during our P.E lesson. There i was already having a hard time to gain weight and such, and there she was popping my confidence-balloons. Although the comments deflated me emotionally, i CHOSE to think rationally and logically and decided IT IS TIME for me to do something.

I couldnt help to see a skinny dude looking back at me whenever i look into the mirror. Could you? OMG! I bet you cant either! It sucks, really. So i decided to hit the gym and learn as much as i could from people, internet and books. Also at the same time, joining my favourite sport of RUGBY drove me to achieve a better bod and physique as (contact) rugby IS indeed a hardcore sport. Pick up a sport people. It DRIVES you to be good and serve your team/school well!

2005. JJC Cougars.

Over the course of 2 years in JC, i gained 15kg. Quite an achievement for me as on the average, i’d manage to gain only 5kg per year. Of course, i didnt become fat or bubbly as i had constant workout and high level of intensity gyming back then. But still i wasnt happy with my fitness level. Being in the army and doing all the *censored* shit out there turned out to be very useful. I grew leaner with all those morning and afternoon runs and route marches. And the constant chin-up regime before meals (even as i became a commander), propelled my physique and strength to greater heights.

2008. Post-NS days.

And as my level of fitness grew, my confidence grew too. I could wear more variety of clothing without making it look like i had an oversized jumper on me. And yes, my post NS days – when 25 chin ups were no problem and my 2.4km runs were 9min.

Fast forward to this time round, i am happy…er with what i have accomplished thus far. Participating in sports/activities ranging from  soccer to rock climbing to camp facilitating to kettlebell-ing and etc, it gave me more confidence knowing i could achieve MORE as i play the sport. I could run faster, kick harder, climb higher and lift heavier weights.

As of this current moment, the year 2012 will be a life changing year for me as i set out to achieve MORE accomplishments for myself (picking up Muay Thai & BJJ at Evolve MMA, getting my swimming fins back to work, just to name a few sports). It will be mentally draining. It will be physically tougher. It will be spiritually demanding.

End 2011. Successfully completed my personal best of 35 chin ups in one set. I plan to hit 45 by the end of 2012.

BUT hey! Playing sports and keeping fit is kinda like a drug. It makes me happy and boosts one’s confidence. And best of all, it keeps me in the company of fitness enthusiasts. Rather than wasting time sitting under the void deck, drinking, rioting, making a nuisance, might as well, i keep myself healthy and fit. I think that one great group of people whom you can train with FOR FREE (no hidden costs) is with SG TITANS. Who are they? Stay tuned to find out more. Or you can just click the SG Titans page above on my header.

And thats WHY I TRAIN.

17 years of determination and hard work. More to go.

January 2012 - Trail run cum hike from Dairy Farm Bukit Timah Hill to Kampung Chantek.

Till next time, Guten tag and lets build some hurtin’ bombs!

Of MMA and some Kung Fu (Panda) action!

Recently, i met up with a friend who shared a lot of his experience working out and sweating it out at an MMA gym. Ok, MMA, for those who do not understand such abbreviation, stands for MIXED MARTIAL ARTS. Its interesting how MMA teaches combining multi-sports like Brazilian Jujitsu, Muay Thai, TKD, Boxing and etc to actually bring down your “opponent”. To be honest, it has been very long since i actually wanted to check out an MMA gym and probably sign up for one too. Ever since Channel 5 showed THE CONTENDER and also the movie –  NEVER BACK DOWN many years back, i kinda got hooked on the Muay Thai and MMA. Its sooooo cool!

Im not trying to be a fighter or something liddat. But i feel that MMA is very very disciplined sport and it trains your physical and mental fitness as a whole. Strength, power, core, flexibility and endurance so needed in an MMA “fight”or sparring session. Its no joke. I had always believed in functionality training and exercises.

But i simply hate the fact that im ever so tied down with financial issues and commitments like school and work/job. *sigh* How i wish i could give that problem a good upper cut and take it  down with a whatever move thats cool out there! Hahaha!

I know a lot of gyms have complimentary passes to their classes to allow newbies or interested individuals try out first before signing up, but im pretty new to this industry, so im just asking, does anyone know whats a value-for-money MMA gym around Singapore? Theres so many gyms to choose from! Does anybody knows a gym which has gives reasonable price for a student and the trainers are great. Kinda asking too much am i? Hahaha. But seriously, on a more serious note – MMA is KICK ASS. Like literally.

~

On a side note, speaking of MMA and martial arts, recently i caught the premier of movie KUNG FU PANDA 2 (3D) @ The Cathay . All thanks to http://www.omy.sg/!

Anyways, the movie is a continuation of a the earlier movie – KUNG FU PANDA and tells of the continuing adventures of Po (the Panda) and his team of Kung Fu experts that compromises of a Tigress, a Monkey, a Stork, a Snake and a Praying Mantis! If you havent caught the earlier movie, you gotta go watch it! Last time, the evil enemy was some brute muscled leopard. But this time, the bad guy, or should i say animal is, you wont believe it – a peacock. Surprise, surprise! Elegant and slim, the “bad guy”this time plans to conquer China by a “secret weapon” which im not gonna reveal to NOT spoil the show for you. 

Kung Fu Panda 2 is ladened with loads of slapstick humour and wordplay and cute cuddly pandas, pigs and other animals. I wont go so much into the synopsis of the storyline but all in all, the movie is simply awesome. With their uber cool fictional “kung fu moves” along with the backdrop of a scenic “olden”China-esque location, its certainly a great movie to catch. Kept me awake despite the fact that i had just ended camp that afternoon. Tired much but the movie certainly made my day!

All in all, the movie has a few morals and teachings behind it. Very heart-warming and also tells of having Never Give Up attitude. As mentioned, its a great show/movie for the kids and parents. And also your date too cause its hilarious much.

I give  this movie a 4 awesome high kicks! Haaaaaaaiiiiii-yaaaak! *fist pumps* OH YEAH!

HAVE A BREAK & GO CATCH KUNG FU PANDA 2!