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Gym Crawley

The Benefits of Bodyweight Training…

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If you’re looking to build a leaner, stronger and more functional body then you can’t go far wrong by starting out with Bodyweight Training.

Unfortunately we’re so disconnected with our own bodies that we tend to associate fitness with the gym.  And while that’s not wrong… it’s not always the best way to get started.

For most folk the problem with the gym is you don’t really get guidance other than the ‘standard workout routine’ given to everyone regardless of their fitness goals and you’ll quickly out grow it.

Not to mention the fact that there is little point lifting weights (that you have to pay for) when you can’t even lift your own body.  Take Lat Pull-Downs for example.  You see people using the machine at the gym but how many do you see doing the bodyweight equivalent?  A pull up (or chin up depending on the grip you use).

Bodyweight training is where it all begins.

Key Benefits to Bodyweight Training

Aside from saving the time and the money you’ll save by not having to go to the gym.  And aside from the fact that you can do bodyweight training anytime and anywhere there are many more benefits.

Firstly, the vast majority of bodyweight exercises are compound exercises.  They work around more than a single join which is healthier for your body, a better calorie burner if you’re looking to lose weight and much, much better for building a functional body that works in day to day life.

Second, you can only use a machine in one way.  That gets boring but with bodyweight you have a multitude or variations that work different muscles, work them differently or put an emphasis on different areas.  Classic examples are narrow, normal or wide grip press ups — the bodyweight version of the bench press.

Third, you can do some very cool party tricks with bodyweight exercises.  Anyone who has spent any time on YouTube will be blown away with the impressive folk working on in the parks on bars, doing crazy versions of press-ups and gymnastic style hand balancing or the human flag.  Impressive feats of strength that build a great looking body and impresses your friends too.

Simple Example of Bodyweight Workouts

Bodyweight Progressions

Of course it’d be wrong to say you only have to use your bodyweight.  That’s what the faddy exercise programs want you to believe — that their system is all you need.

The reality is for many bodyweight training is enough but if you want to progress you can.

The technique you learn from bodyweight squats can be used to perform barbell squats in a rack.  The strength you build from press-ups can allow you to progress to the bench press or even harder add shoulder work to your routine with a hand stand press up!

Our Fitness Classes

At our gym in Crawley our main goal is to get people in great shape with a functionally fit body.  Our cardio sessions are intense and our workouts make the most of both bodyweight and more advanced versions with equipment.

You’ll squat, you’ll lunge, you’ll press, pull, lift and drag.

Our classes offer an all over body workout and we have classes for both men and women.

If you’d like to find out about our classes get in touch by entering your name and telephone number in the box on the side of this page or by calling a member of the team on 01293 552 511.

The Coolest Home Gym?

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How about this for a cool home gym…

Model, actor and (once up a time) rapper Mark Walhberg has invested over 2.5million in his own home gym.  The converted airplane hanger is fully equipped with everything for weights and cardio machines through to top of the range power plates and full size boxing rings.

The film star who spends a lot of time in the gym and is renowned for getting in amazing shapes for some of his roles knows a thing or two about training, diet and nutrition.  In some of his videos you can see him working on his cardio, hitting pads with his boxing trainer and using his TRX suspension trainer.

While we can’t all afford the luxury of our own home gyms we are lucky that the fitness industry continues to expand with a range of functional fitness available.

At our own gym in Manor Royal, Crawley our personal trainers and clients make the most of our boxing rings, punch bags and pads, medicine balls, plyometric boxes, chin up bars, Bulgarian Bags, TRX systems and more.

With HIIT training naturally part of our fitness classes (including our martial arts classes) it’s no surprise that so many of our members lose weight, get in shape and feel a lot better for training at our Crawley based gym.

Fitness Facilities at Our Manor Royal Gym

By | Gym Crawley, Ladies Fitness, Personal Training Crawley | No Comments

IMG_9646 Based on Priestley Way, our Manor Royal Gym is only a stones throw from the new cafes and food-joints that have popped up on the Crawley Industrial Estate.

Namely Charlies’ Deli and Subway.

A little ironic?

The gym had been based on the Gatwick Road above SL Restoration and after many a happy year there our classes had just grown too popular and we need more space.

That’s when the boss, John Jarvis, decided to up sticks and move literally around the corner to Priestley Way.

With over 5,000 sq. feet of industrial unit to work with he was quickly able to expand our timetable, improve our gym facilities and expand our reach.

Where we once catered almost exclusively to those looking to learn Muay Thai — a form of kickboxing from Thailand — we now could move offer other martial arts and open a range of fat burning fitness classes to suit everyday people.

Fortunately for us, Muay Thai is really popular with people who want to get seriously fit.

It’s a tough, total-body workout and very intense which means it’s a great calorie burner and an excellent way to lose body fat.

That lead to the opening of our Ladies Only Fitness Classes which combine the best fat burning aspects of Muay Thai with exercises designed to strengthen you legs, core and your upper body.

When you visit our gym you’ll find a range of functional training equipment.

Our Manor Royal Gym Equipment:

  • Wide range of dumb bells and weighted plates
  • Smith machine and bench
  • Multi-gym facilities for upper body strengthening
  • Dip and chin-up stations
  • Rowers and cardio equipment
  • Fit balls (or Swiss balls), Bosu Balls and Bender balls for core conditioning
  • 2 boxing rings to move around and hit the pads inside
  • Dozens of Thaiboxing pads, Focus pads and belly protectors for punching and kicking
  • A range of punch bags and heavy bags
  • B.O.B. a mannequin designed to look like a person to improve accuracy and have a little fun
  • Functional fitness zone (including tyres for flipping, lifting and jumping and a sledgehammer)
  • Battling ropes
  • A wide variety of slam balls and medicine balls

And the equipment list is ever growing as we expand our classes and keep up-to-date with the best fitness, strength and conditioning information in the industry.

Our Fitness Classes Include:

  • Personal 1-2-1 Training
  • Private tuition in Muay Thai, Boxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
  • Ladies Only Circuit Training Classes
  • Ladies Only Morning Fitness Training
  • Non-contact Muay Thai Kickboxing Classes
  • All-Level Muay Thai
  • Fighters Only Muay Thai
  • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (from beginner to advanced)
  • Kids Muay Thai Kickboxing
  • Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Grappling

If you like to get fit, learn a martial art or come along and have a look at our impressive Manor Royal gym (yes it still looks like an industrial unit on the outside. just wait to get inside) then give us a call on 01293 552 511 or enter your name and telephone number in the inquiry box on this page.

Thanks for reading and get ready to get seriously fit!

 

The Grand Opening of New Gym in Crawley

By | Gym Crawley, Kids Martial Arts | No Comments

It’s been over two years now since we ‘upgraded’ and moved our Gym in Crawley into bigger, better premises.

Moving only a couple of streets away it was a big move for our family owned gym.  We could be more different to the likes of Virgin, the K2 or the Nuffield in what we do and our approach to fitness training.

But it works!  And we’ve got a great community that ranges from our youngest children who start their martial arts training at just 4 years of age through to adults in their 50s, 60s and even 70s.

Our philosophy is that you’re prepared to try we’re prepared to help.

Experience and fitness are not necessary.

So here’s a few photos of the grand opening back in 2011 when the Crawley Mayor, a local Buddhist Monk (we teach Thaiboxing in addition to providing weights, fitness classes and personal training) as well as being attended by Shelly from the Happy Times who regularly visits and reports on  our good news events.

A buddhist monk opens and blesses our gym in Manor Royal

A buddhist monk opens and blesses our gym in Manor Royal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The local Mayor opening the new facilities

The local Mayor opening the new facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Buddha Lounge and Cafe at the gym

The Buddha Lounge and Cafe at the gym

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The official opening of the gym

The official opening of the gym

 

 

With members from across the community it was a good day to showcase the new gym, the new facilities and give our Kids Martial Arts team a chance to demonstrate their skills to an audience.

 

An Alternative Fitness Gym in Crawley West Sussex

By | Gym Crawley | No Comments

The gym isn’t for everyone.

A friend of mine recently joined a local gym in Crawley, West Sussex and said they only reminded him how unfriendly they were gyms are.

His exact words.

So what else is there?  How and where else can you get fit and — at the same time — enjoy and look forward to your training?

Well — of course we’re biased — but in our humble opinion you have to find something you enjoy, something that takes the feeling that working out is a chore and somewhere friendly.

It’s probably why dance classes like Zumba have had the success they’ve had.

They’re fun and they’re social.

Our fitness classes are very different.  For a start they’re martial based.

We teach Muay Thai, Western Boxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Plus with our range of Kombat Fitness classes and circuit train there is something for everyone.

Punching and kicking, pushing and pulling, squating, lunging and jumping — all of our classes offer a total bodyworkout and are perfect regardless of whether you’re looking to master a martial art, learn self-defence or simply burn a whole lotta calories and have a great time along the way.

Our classes are fun, they’re friendly and they’re social.

You’ll be pushed, encouraged and motivated and always walk away feeling a million times better than when you walked in at the beginning.

And — for the naughty ones among you — leave you guilt free for when you fancy a desert at the weekend.

If you’re looking to break free from the big, commercial gyms and after something a lot different that definitely works (we’ve helped people lose anything from several pounds to several stone), burn fat and tone up your entire body… then get in touch.

Easy to do, you can pick up the phone and call us on 01293 544 511 or enter your name and contact details in the form on this page.

See you in class!

The Crawley Fitness Team