Congratulations on taking the first step to a positive lifestyle. Research shows that living a healthy lifestyle through fitness and martial arts have many physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Doctors and health experts have prescribed physical activities to improve our overall well-being before modern medicine was in full effect and continues to do so till today.
Participating in activities such as FaMA Fit, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Muay Thai fosters growth and development, reduces the risk of various chronic diseases, and can make one feel better, function better, and sleep better. Here’s a guide on how to prepare for a free week trial at FaMA - Fitness and Martial Arts.
Clean Bill of Health
Before embarking on a journey that will test our physical capabilities, it is advisable to talk to a doctor first. Whether it is running a marathon as a beginner or doing Muay Thai, a doctor would be able to tell how hard to push in training. Everyone is different and no two people react the same way to physical stress, so talking to an expert before smashing pads or rolling around on the mat is a sensible thing to do. This however does not mean that you should set an appointment with your doctor to run a series of tests that will cost a lot of money. If you have done your annual medical checkup within the past six to nine months and there are no red flags, you are good to go.
Ego at the Door
Training martial arts does not only challenge us physically but also spiritually and emotionally. It is a humbling experience and be mentally ready for that. On the mats, it is pretty common to see a 50-kilogram, 5’2 teenage girl be an absolute savage and manhandle a fully grown adult. This happens quite frequently as BJJ relies on technique and not strength. Do not be discouraged and enjoy the journey. Injuries happen when ego gets in the way as we try to explode out of something or create an unnatural movement to escape a submission or position. Remember, tap today and you will train tomorrow.
It’s Okay to Suck
Most people that sign up for a free one week trial have not tried martial arts at all. Others did it as a kid but gave it up after a few years and spent years behind a desk. Just like how we learnt to crawl before we walked and walked before we ran, martial arts and fitness is about progression. Take baby steps and remember that it is ok not to understand a move on the first day or be able to complete a circuit the first time around. Even the instructors have been there. Feel free to ask questions after class and don’t worry about taking a break if you need it. All of us remember our first day in training and we know that fitness and martial arts is a marathon, not a sprint.
Expect to be Part of a Family, Not Just a Gym
It may be week-long trial but expect to have a conversation with everyone. Martial arts classes can be intimidating and knowing this, everyone at FaMA tries to create a friendly, welcoming environment. So don’t be alarmed if a stranger starts talking to you before or after class. As you get acquainted and get closer to the family, there will be invites to have lunch or dinner together, kids birthday celebrations, and get togethers. FaMA, at the end of day, is a more than a gym or just another fitness and martial arts school. It is a family.
FaMA - Fitness and Martial Arts Established in 2016, FaMA is a world-class martial arts training facility located in the heart of the Central Business District in Singapore. Walking distance from the Clarke Quay MRT station, FaMA’s main goal is to help people improve their lives through martial arts regardless of age or athletic capability. Each program is led by experts in their respective fields. Whether it is weight loss, a fun workout, camaraderie, competition training, or just to break a sweat, FaMA has something for everyone.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai, or The Art of Eight Limbs, is a martial art developed in Thailand thousands of years ago to help the Kingdom protect itself against invaders. Using the human body as a weapon, Muay Thai practitioners are well-versed in punching, elbowing, kicking, kneeing, and clinching with their opponents. What was once only used for self-defence and protection of the Kingdom, Muay Thai has grown to become one of the most popular sports not only in Thailand but in the world. Muay Thai is known to provide a complete total-body workout that will help build lean muscle, core strength, and help with weight loss. At FaMA, Muay Thai classes are taught daily by Tanaphong Khunhankaew, or better known as Kru Ping, and Kru Jerel Louie.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or BJJ as it is commonly known around the world, is a self-defence martial art that enables a smaller, weaker person to protect themselves against a much larger attacker using leverage and pressure. Formed from Kodokan Judo in Japan, Jiu Jitsu found its way to Brazil in the 1910s through Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese judoka and no-holds-barred prize fighter. During his time in Brazil, Maeda accepted a young Carlos Gracie as his student. Carlos would later pass on his knowledge to his brothers, most notably Helio Gracie - the father of modern Brazilian Jiujitsu. The Gracie family would go on to spread BJJ through The Gracie Challenge and eventually the creation of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Today, BJJ has grown to be more than just an effective unarmed fighting system. It helps young children deal with bullies and adults live a healthy lifestyle. BJJ classes are offered daily at FaMA under the tutelage of Black Belts Zoro Moreira, Robyn Goudy and Thiago Gaspary.
FaMA Fit
An all-in-one fitness class suitable for everyone, FaMA Fit incorporates moves from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing and Kickboxing together with functional training to help develop flexibility, mobility, strength, balance, and stamina. For beginners who are just starting out, the FaMA Fit Fundamentals class is an entry-level program that will work the entire body. FaMA Fit and FaMA Fit Fundamentals classes are run by professional athlete Coach Kirstie Gannaway.