Gyms that incorporate boxing, kickboxing, combat, and MMA conditioning for fitness are popping up worldwide. These workout styles are high-energy and allow one to burn between 350-400 calories. The classes challenge your technique, endurance and concentration. This idea gives you a fun way of working out and take you outside of your regular gym routine!

Boxing
​Fitness boxing is a combination of training movements of a boxer and structured aerobic training incorporating your mind and body. Boxing workouts can increase endurance, strength and speed. The high intensity makes you work up a sweat and helps burn calories and fat. Through this workout you have the ability to condition the entire body in one workout. Bring the fighter out of you and train like a pro.  

The class is typically a high intensity total body workout focusing on the upper body, rather than boxing skills. It can include hitting heavy bags, shadowboxing and sport specific weightlifting. There is no one-on-one contact involved, but by throwing punches with power and precision you will begin to see more muscle definition. Your cardiovascular system will benefit from the constant moving around, keeping your heart rate up majority of the session. This is a way to make cardio fun, although knowing how to throw a punch isn’t a bad skill to have.

Kickboxing
Kickboxing fitness classes are not intended to train you to fight, it takes the sport and its physical demands and turns it into a fun and challenging workout. Kickboxing is a high impact workout focusing on the muscle groups in your lower body such as your legs, glutes and calves, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be incorporating muscles from other groups. For example, although you are doing a lot of kicking you are engaging your core most of the time because you have to remain balanced.  

This style of work out improves flexibility, power, balance, coordination and agility. The classes typically involve bag work, strikes and isometrics to maximize your workout. By combining technique with fast paced cardio, you are able to burn a significant number of calories. Everyone hates the thought of cardio, but with kickboxing it can be fun and not dreadful. 

MMA Conditioning
MMA conditioning is what pro MMA athletes do to prepare for battles. So that means this class is training you like a pro MMA fighter would. The program is designed to mimic specific moments in fights. For example, we use a punching bag as our opponent. The opponent is laying on top of you and in order to get that person off your going to need to use force and explosiveness to throw them despite being fatigued. Training your body to be powerful when tired will increase muscle gains, calorie expenditure and not to mention you’ll come out being mentally tough.

MMA CONDITIONING PROVIDES YOU WITH A TOTAL BODY WORKOUT. MMA WORKOUTS ARE DESIGNED TO INCORPORATE ALMOST EVERY MUSCLE IN YOUR BODY, BECAUSE FIGHTERS NEED TO HAVE A STRONG LOWER BODY, UPPER BODY AND CORE. THE WORKOUTS INCORPORATE STRENGTH, AGILITY, ENDURANCE, AND POWER. SINCE YOU ARE ALSO LEARNING SELF-DEFENSE YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO; WORKING OUT NO LONGER SEEMS LIKE A CHORE. THIS STYLE OF FITNESS PUSHES YOUR BODY TO INTENSE LIMITS WHILE GETTING YOU RESULTS. 

Combat Fitness
Combat fitness is an exercise technique originating from military training. It consists of functional movements being executed at a high intensity utilizing all muscle groups. This fitness technique will provide you with physical and mental competence. This workout is performed at a high intensity designed to build strength and fitness through a variety of obstacles. For example, you may be flipping tires, carrying sand filled buckets, and your typically weight training. They generally include a mix of strength training, speed and aerobic exercises.

This technique builds up your endurance and strength. It offers a more challenging workout requiring little to no equipment. Since it is derived from military training it is very intense. If you are looking to test your bodies strength, this is the workout for you. The obstacles are not only challenging but fun. 

These evolving styles of working out take a professional sport and turns it into fun fitness. Working out at a regular gym can be repetitive and you find yourself having little motivation to get through your workout. The8Block fitness studio provides the clients with what we call 30-minute performance series fitness classes. The classes are 30 minutes long but don’t be surprised if you burn 400 calories in that half-hour. The studio’s high energy environment provides unique moves and EVER-CHANGING sessions to the clients. You can enjoy the performance series experience through our virtual studio from the comfort of your home. This will get you pumped and be ready to sign up for the specialty classes as soon as our studios open back up; We would love to have you join our crew!

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to health and fitness is motivation and there’s no bigger killer for motivation than scales. During weight loss efforts addicts tend to weigh themselves many times per day.  The number on the scale is often tied to our body image, which is something that many of us struggle with on a regular basis 
 
The body is a complex system and daily weight fluctuations are common, whether it be upward or downward. It is usual for a person’s weight to go up or down a few pounds every day, either from water retention/loss, glycogen depletion/storage or lean mass production and body fat reduction. Note that different types of mass have different weights. Let’s take lean mass vs. body fat for example. We’ve all heard the term, “muscle weighs more than fat” and that is correct, yet the scale can’t tell the difference. The scale takes the components that make up our body such as muscle, bone, skin, fat, and water and gives us a single, raw number. When you get on the scale and receive that raw number, you need to realize it’s just that: a number. That’s it! It’s not a body fat meter or a lean mass indicator, it’s a number that is approximating the amount of downward force the gravity is exerting upon us. It’s not a measurement of your body composition (the real health marker). When a person focuses too much on their weight or looks it increases their chances of developing eating disorders.  

DISTURBANCES IN WEIGHT ARE DETRIMENTAL TO A PERSON’S HEALTH. WITH SCALE OBSESSION, COMES EATING DISORDERS. THESE DISORDERS TYPICALLY RANGE FROM STARVING ONESELF TO EXTREME OVEREATING, DEPENDING ON THE PERSONS GOALS. EATING DISORDERS CAN STEM FROM A DESIRE TO OBTAIN A CERTAIN BODY WEIGHT. A PERSON WILL SEIZE UPON A CERTAIN NUMBER AND OBSESS OVER THAT NUMBER, DOING ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING TO REACH IT. COMMON TYPES OF EATING DISORDERS ARE ANOREXIA, BULIMIA AND BINGE EATING. THESE DISORDERS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE BODY AND CAN AFFECT EVERY ORGAN IN YOUR BODY. FOR EXAMPLE, ONE-WAY PEOPLE THINK THEY CAN DECREASE THEIR WEIGHT IS BY CONSUMING FEWER CALORIES. THIS ULTIMATELY WILL MAKE THE BODY START BREAKING DOWN ITS OWN TISSUE TO USE FOR FUEL. ONE OF THE FIRST ORGANS TO BE BROKEN DOWN IN THIS CASE IS MUSCLE. IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOUR HEART IS CONSIDERED A MUSCLE. SO, YOUR PULSE AND BLOOD PRESSURE WILL BEGIN TO DROP BECAUSE THE HEART HAS LESS FUEL TO PUMP BLOOD. THIS PUTS YOU AT A GREATER RISK FOR HEART FAILURE. THAT’S JUST ONE-WAY EATING DISORDERS CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR BODY. THESE DISORDERS CAN HAVE SERIOUS LONG-LASTING CONSEQUENCES TO YOUR HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY.  
​

Ectomorph: Long and lean, Delicate frame, finds it difficult to build muscle and fat, body similar to a marathon runner, Fast metabolism. You find it difficult to gain muscle or fat, so you should focus on compound movements as opposed to isolated movements. This will allow you to use more muscle groups in one exercise increasing your chances to build muscle.  
Mesomorph: Middle of the body types, can be lean and muscular simultaneously, Natural athletics build with well-defined muscles. You find it easier to build muscle and lose fat. You do not have to go insanely heavy on the weights to get results, you can lift moderately and still progress. It is also best to include HIIT training in your exercises, to help get your heart rate up and your blood pumping. 
Endomorph: Stocky build, Wider body, Stores fuel (both muscle and fat) in the lower half of their bodies, more muscle but comes with more fat, Has the best strength but may find it difficult to stay lean, Slow metabolism. To help the body lose fat the best workouts include HIIT (high intensity interval training). This training will help train the overall body and enhance metabolism. 
Don’t obsess over a number! Listen to your body. Prevent weight loss obsession by applying a sustainable, stress free nutrition that you can maintain long term. Check out some tips on how you can fuel your body correctly on
​ Frankie Results Nutrition Blog. 

Injuries are painful and have potential to set you back weeks or months from your workout goals. It is important to communicate to your trainer the aches and pains associated with your body. It typically does no good to be quiet about these situations. In order to get your body back healthy your trainer will make the proper modifications to your workout. 

THE8BLOCK FITNESS STUDIO TRAINERS HAVE THE CREATIVITY TO PROVIDE CLIENTS WITH A VARIETY OF WORKOUTS AND NEEDED MODIFICATIONS. THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU ARE NEVER REPEATING THE SAME MUSCLE MOVEMENTS. REPEATING THE SAME MUSCLES CAN LEAD TO OVERUSE AND REPETITIVE-USE INJURY. THE STUDIO ALSO SPECIALIZES IN SMALL GROUP FITNESS ALLOWING CLIENTS TO GET INDIVIDUALIZED COACHING. WORKING OUT IN A SMALL GROUP ALLOWS THE PERSONAL TRAINER TO OFFER CORRECTIONS AND APPROPRIATE MODIFICATIONS. THIS CLOSE-KNIT TRAINING ALLOWS YOU TO SPEND MORE TIME FOCUSING ON FORM TO DECREASE YOUR RISK OF INJURY AS WELL AS SET AND REACH PERSONAL GOALS. ​

​However, this is only the case when stretching is done correctly! There are two different types of stretching: Ballistic and Static. Ballistic stretching, bouncy/jerky movements, should be avoided. This type of stretching may increase the amount of tension on your muscles, possibly resulting in a strain. On the other hand, Static stretching is the most safe and effective method. Gradually stretching to a point of mild discomfort without pain, is most optimal. The right way is to do so comfortably, gently and consistently. It is very important to stretch BEFORE and AFTER exercise! The body has over 500 muscles, so one might ask “Which should I concentrate on?” This depends on the exercises you are participating in.

In addition to properly working out and stretching, your body needs vitamins and minerals to achieve optimal function, promote healing and minimize inflammation. Nutritional supplements are often overlooked but is a key to optimal body function. The8Block fitness studio partners with Previnex, a nutritional supplement company that seeks to change healthcare through prevention, to introduce the highest quality of supplements to their clients. If you are recovering from an injury, you want to focus on healing as quickly but as efficiently as possible. The Previnex Joint Health Plus provides your body with nutrients to maximize healing and recovery as well as minimize downtime. It does this by utilizing the power of Natural Eggshell Membrane to provide the fastest joint relief possible (just 7-10 days) and support joint tissue health, comfort and flexibility. It also provides additional support to bone health, mobility, balance and overall joint functionality. Many clients in the studio have used this product and have seen significant results. You can check this amazing product out by clicking here , at checkout use FRANKIE154LIFE to receive your discount. 

Unconventional Training methods are quickly being implemented into the fitness routines of people around the world. Athletes and trainers are utilizing unconventional training tools and techniques because they offer numerous benefits for performance and sports. Some benefits include the decrease chance of injury and it’s easier and causes less wear and tear on the joints. This training method is different and challenges you in a variety of new ways. The innovative methods and exercises of unconventional training become addicting.  NOW, With pro athletes adding this method to their routine and the use of the internet people are able to see the results firsthand causing more people to hop on board. Although, traditional methods still have a place in the unconventional training world.

Conventional training uses barbells, dumbbells and machines.  This training is categorized by the traditional bodybuilding routines seen in commercial gyms. These workouts are what gym-goers think of as “arm day” or “leg day”. They include isolating a specific group of muscles by lifting weights to maximize muscle strength. Conventional methods focus on one type of exercise at a time and incorporates an individual body part with single joint movement. When most people think of working out their mind brainstorms the basic movements and tactics which are essentially associated with conventional training.  Since these movements are simple, it involves the same exercises day in and day out; there’s not much room for variety.  They don’t allow the body to move through various planes of motion with a full range. Traditional training methods can be effective and beneficial to overall fitness and performance and It can surely build bodies into a work of art if done properly. However, it is not the only way to train and achieve goals.

Unconventional training, also known as “non-traditional fitness”, is a big movement from the common body building equipment and techniques that have been popular for decades.  It is characterized by the use of compound and isolated exercises. The most common training tools are the kettle bell, steel mace, steel club, and battle ropes. Some other equipment includes sandbags, medicine balls, suspension trainers, and even your own body weight. These tools are awkward with different weight distribution, feel and shape, which makes it optimal for building functional, real world strength. This concept targets larger muscle groups as well as the stabilizer muscles.  This means that in one exercise you are building power, strength, coordination and stability which conventional training lacks. This workout method requires your body to move in a way that challenges multiple muscle groups at one time.   This training is about becoming a natural athlete by improving performance, health and well-being.  Unconventional fitness does not follow a repetitive plan; we are always switching it up! It is different, and again challenges the body in many new ways.  Don’t be resistant to change and don’t be left behind!

Unconventional training methods are intense, challenging and test your body and mind. Whether you are training for a competition or want to achieve peak physical conditions this method will help you reach your personal goals. While conventional approaches to training continue to be relevant, the blending of methodologies are helping maximize individual results. At THE8BLOCK Fitness Studio we specialize in unconventional small group and personal training with REAL RESULTS!
NO MORE CROWDED GYMS!
NO MORE PLATEAUS!
NO MORE EXCUSES!
it's TIME FOR REAL RESULTS!