Category: Kickboxing

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Introducing Shaolin Kung Fu Fighter and Martial Artist Dom D

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Dom is a 5 x British National Sanda Kickboxing Champion who has a 3rd Dan black belt in Shaolin Kung Fu as well as being a 35th generation Shaolin fighting disciple. As well as this, he is also a qualified personal trainer specialising in strength and mobility, martial arts and gymnastics and full body workouts.

How long have you been training in martial arts and what do you love about it?

I started Western style kickboxing and then switched to Taekwondo which felt like a more holistic style of exercise with emphasis on breathing, forms and tradition. I then went along to a Shaolin Monk’s class in London and although it was impossibly hard, I decided to keep going until I could finish a session without dying. Over the years I began to train there more and more which lead me to fighting at the World Games. Now I’ve been studying martial arts for 22 years and I’ve met my best friends at training. I’ve faced some big fears and challenged myself, pushed myself and found out what sort of person I could be.

What is your biggest client success story?

My most rewarding client story is when I trained an 87 year old man who had suffered serious falls and therefore found it difficult to walk. I taught him to get up off the floor unassisted and he can now move with more confidence which has given him back some of his independence.

What is your top tip for someone just starting out in martial arts?

Find a good teacher. You can learn a technique from anyone but real martial arts training should be inspiring! Find a bad teacher and they might put you off training for life!

How do you keep a balanced diet?

Generally I follow the rule that if my great grandparents wouldn’t know what it was I’ve got no business eating it, i.e. processed foods. I dip in and out of a keto diet to keep myself healthy but I’ve found it doesn’t support my level of activity enough to sustain it for extended periods… having said that, ‘Everything in moderation… including moderation!’

Where is your favourite place to travel?

South East Asia always works. Good food, friendly people, culture and amazing landscapes.

Don’t forget that our TruBe trainers can come to you right in the comfort of your own home!

To book a session with Dom, download the app and find him as one of our featured trainers.

 

Introducing Mohamed…Personal Trainer and Martial Arts Champion

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Man teaching martial arts

Mohamed is one of our newest TruBe personal trainers who specialises in HIIT training, strength and conditioning, fat loss, toning and flexibility. He is a former champion with over 20 years experience as a martial arts professional and also trains young children at youth clubs.

TruBe will be adding a new feature soon where you will be able to bring children along to your sessions for a fun and active family workout. We interviewed Mohamed to find out a little bit about him and what it’s like training with children.

How long have you been training in martial arts and how did you get into it?

I started watching martial arts when I was 16 and started to train and since then have just fallen in love with it.

What is your biggest achievement?

My biggest achievement would be winning the Moroccan championship. Whilst competing in other competitions I beat other National and European champions which was also a real achievement for me. I have also helped many athletes go on to win competitions which is really rewarding for me.

What do you enjoy about training with children?

I love teaching new techniques and it brings me great joy seeing young kids learn and believe in what they can achieve.

Which martial arts is your favourite to teach?

Taekwondo. I also teach kickboxing and boxing with TruBe.

How do you structure workouts with kids?

I begin with stretching for good 15 minutes and then move on to a warm up. I make sure to include a short break before we move on to technical movements then variations drills on pads. Towards the end of the session I like to include a few games before cooling down to keep it light and fun for the kids.

Where are the workouts held?

I teach in a youth club and with TruBe sessions I can teach across London in parks, at client’s houses or in TruBe professional studios.

What is your biggest success story?

I’ve helped a lot of young kids avoid a life of crime with martial arts giving them something to focus their energy on rather than being on the streets.

Don’t forget that our TruBe trainers can come to you right in the comfort of your own home or wherever you choose at a time that suits you.

To book a session with Mohamed, download the app and find him as one of our featured trainers.

Should kickboxing be part of your workout routine?

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Kickboxing

Kickboxing is a sport that has a multitude of benefits ranging from improvements in overall fitness to stress relief and self defence. During a TruBe kickboxing session you will experience a total body workout using all three of your bodies energy systems. This will help to rapidly develop your cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength.

Burn some serious calories

This takes us into the realms of metabolic conditioning which has been proven to have a high calorie afterburn. This means that not only could you burn between 500-750 calories in a one hour intense kickboxing session, you’ll also have a raised BMR, (Basal Metabolic Rate- calories you burn at rest to keep your body functioning), after the training has finished. This varies between males and females but can last up to 7-12 hours. So the gross calorific burn from the hours kickboxing session could be as high as 900-1000 calories.

Whole body workout

Kickboxing works out the entire body and not just isolated muscle groups. The punching and kicking techniques obviously work the arms and legs, but it’s the effect they have on the core that stands out. Working through all the planes of motion with rapid movements and the multitude of plank drills that accompany any workout puts a varied and high workload on the core.

Alex Lawson

It does everything

It also helps to stretch and tone the muscles and is proven to reduce body fat. Throw into that improvements in flexibility and mobility, coordination, timing and rhythm and you have a complete training system.

Hitting things is fun

On top of the many physical benefits the mental benefits are possibly what separates kickboxing from other sporting activities. Like most sporting pursuits, kickboxing releases the ‘happy hormone’ endorphins, but the act of striking pads can be a great way to relieve the buildup of stress and frustration that living in London can cause. It has a primal effect that allows you to generate focus within the session as they have to concentrate on the techniques and combinations.

Kickboxing
Protect yourself

Having the ability to throw kicks and punches along with the evasive movements can be a genuine plus when you consider self defence situations too.

Trube boast highly trained kickboxing instructors with decades of teaching and fighting experience. This is the real sport taught in a safe and accessible format that will keep you motivated and invigorated.

So why don’t you download the app and try a kickboxing session to see for yourself!!!

Alex – 2013 ICO light welterweight World kickboxing champion

Meet Yogi and Kickboxing Instructor Zeynep

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As a kickboxing and yoga instructor, Zeynep has mastered both high intensity and low meditative exercise. She is eager to pass on her knowledge and experience to all, so read her Q&A and book a session with her using our app.

How do you inspire your clients?
I believe in inspiring my clients through my own lifestyle, practice, health and wellbeing. This is proving to be very successful and motivating :). My clients always develop healthy addiction to sport and exercise and I inspire them to take their practice further.

zeynep blog 1

What is your biggest client success story?
I watched one particular client development over their yoga journey, mastering several expert flows. It is such a beautiful honour to see the progress of regular and disciplined practice. This is when you know that all the hard work was worth it :).

What was last obstacle you had to overcome and how ?
I have a solution for everything, therefore I do not believe in obstacles 😉

Where do you like to have fun in London?
I like to hang out everywhere as long as there is good music, cool people and tasty food. Turkish food followed by a mocha in North London, as well as watching stand up comedy in Central London. There is just sooo much choice in here! I love it!

What is the best piece of advice you have received from a mentor?
Be patient and keep practicing.

How do you keep yourself motivated?
By setting myself goals and always trying different things.

Zeynep blog 3

To book a session with Zeynep, download the app and find her as one of our featured trainers.

Introducing yoga, boxing, kickboxing and Apple Pay!

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It’s been an exciting last few months and since our launch in April, we’ve been incredibly proud by the response from Londoners looking to stay fit and healthy whilst still keeping up with their busy schedules. We’re constantly looking at improving that experience and help TruBers reach their goals faster.

Today, we’re excited to announce that we now provide yoga, boxing, kickboxing and pre/post-natal workouts in addition to our extremely popular personal training sessions. And we’ve made our booking process a lot simpler with Apple Pay – you can now book sessions and checkout with a single touch.

For people that are new to TruBe, our app matches users with highly-qualified trainers (and now, yogis!) from a range of specialist sporting backgrounds. We have an extremely talented team ready and waiting to deliver one of our signature workouts wherever and whenever you want. That means you can workout in the privacy of your own room, at the park or for the busy travellers amongst you out there, go ahead and request a workout  in your hotel room. With Apple Pay, that experience could not be quicker and simpler.

Apple Pay is a new and innovative way to pay within apps, and we are excited to be one of the first to launch in the UK. Users who have iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air 2, or iPad mini 3 can book our signature workouts without having to register for an account, making the experience of booking your next on-demand workout easy and seamless.

We’re excited about this new development, and as always, welcome your feedback via Twitter (@TruBeapp) or email (hello@trubeapp.com). Download our app now on the App Store. As a welcome, use the promo code TRUBE10 when booking your next session and enjoy £10 off.

For more updates follow us on Instagram and Twitter, @TruBeapp.

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