At Storm Combat, you acquire way more than just a set of combat skills – you institute a discipline that enhances your life in many ways. Part of that includes the discipline of consistent training. This benefits you both on and off the mats. Here's why:
Building Warriors
Yes, we know that attending classes results in increased fitness levels – but it goes way beyond physical health. Storm Combat is not a normal gym – it is un-apologetically a Combat Gym. We are in the business of developing warriors. And with this comes the development of a warrior mind-set characterized by mental strength, courage and toughness – not to mention self-discipline. We don’t give up when the going gets tough, or uncomfortable. Grit, tenacity and focus are integral to the physical training and techniques. This is Combat - there is no slacking off - even in the fast approaching colder winter months. Storm Combat people show up, regardless of the weather. The up-side is that - this kind of mindset is applied to all aspects of life. Many of our students have commented that the mental benefits of consistent training have helped them improve their professional and personal lives. Every time you step into the gym you challenge yourself physically and mentally, and walk out different from when you walked in. Even if you are not in the mood to train, the workout that you did far exceeds the workout you never got around to because you didn’t feel like training.
Keeping Pace with the Combat Evolution
But all this comes at a cost. This kind of training is not a one-time event. It's a lifelong journey that requires passion, commitment and dedication. Staying up-to-date with the constant evolution of the modus operandi of criminals can save your life. Combat Sports such as MMA, BJJ and Boxing are constantly evolving. New techniques and strategies are incorporated almost weekly at the club. We consider it a serious responsibility to stay up to date with latest developments and schools of thought on the combat scene and share this knowledge with our students. Consistent training ensures that you are keeping pace and always evolving and improving with the system.
Building the Athlete in You
Combat training is, by it’s very nature, a full-body workout. You are constantly improving your strength, flexibility, agility and overall fitness levels. And, an additional benefit is that you are also building lean muscle mass. I strongly maintain that flexibility and agility determine athleticism and engaging in this type of activity keeps you young. An added bonus is the matter of endorphins released when exercising. They help you stay out of prison, when negotiating load-shedding traffic - reducing stress levels and improving your general mood. So, training is great therapy and is potentially life-saving for taxi-drivers! On the days you don’t feel like training remember that you will walk out happier than when you walked in.
Tapping into your Tribe
While there are days you spend your time tapping out - there are just as many days where you are tapping into your warrior tribe. Storm Combat people have an awesome, friendly “vibe” - it’s our ethos - and we intend to keep it that way. Training is a social activity and great way to meet new people, connect with our community of like-minded individuals and belong to a family. Camaraderie and motivation are the order of the day - difficult or nigh impossible to match when working out alone. Our people are from diverse backgrounds, ages and fitness levels. However, we all come together to learn and improve our skill-sets. This creates a system of support, encouragement and accountability among the members of the community. Having a supportive community is crucial in training for several reasons. When you are surrounded by people who are encouraging and supportive, you are more likely to push yourself out of your comfort zone and try new things. You have a safe and non-judgmental environment for learning. It’s easy to feel discouraged if you don't get things right the first time. However, when you have a supportive community, you can make mistakes and learn from them without fear of being judged or ridiculed. The tribe provides accountability and motivation. When you are part of the Storm family, you are encouraged to show up to class, work hard, and stick to your goals. This can help you to stay on track with your training and achieve your desired outcomes.
Quick Thinking
When it comes to self-defense situations quick thinking and a calm demeanor can mean the difference between life and death. At Storm Combat you are not learning fancy moves to impress, but gaining the critical knowledge and skill to protect yourself and your loved ones in real-life situations. Attackers on the street, muggings, armed robberies, hijackings and home invasions are served up every day in South Africa, as standard fare. Without consistent training the ability to maintain your situational awareness, quickly neutralize the threat and escape the situation unfortunately diminishes with every passing month. Knowing that you have the skills to protect yourself can give you a sense of empowerment and self-assurance. You don’t carry yourself the same way anymore. You walk tall - knowing that if trouble comes your way you have the capacity to eliminate it. Again, this is the fruit of consistent training and repetition.
Reaction Time
Repetition and muscle memory are critical components of both Self-Defence and Combat Sports. It is said that it takes approximately 10,000 repetitions to develop muscle memory for a particular movement. In combat, muscle memory is essential because it allows practitioners to react quickly and efficiently in real-life situations. The more a technique is practiced, the more automatic and intuitive it becomes - also helping you stay calm under pressure. Repetition also builds endurance and strengthens muscles, an important factor in combat situations where quick reactions and sustained physical effort could mean the difference between winning and losing, or life and death. Repetition and muscle memory is built via consistent training.
Building Motivation
Being part of Storm Combat is a way of life. Consistent training is crucial for mastering any of your chosen combat disciplines and achieving your combat goals. It’s not uncommon for students to struggle with motivation and commitment, especially when their busy lives get in the way. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated and committed to consistent training, especially as we head into the darker, colder winter months.
Set goals and work towards them. For example - Work towards the next Belt Grading or the prepare for the next Boxing or BJJ Competition. This will help you stay focused and motivated throughout your training.
Work with a regular training partner: Training with a partner can help you stay accountable and motivated. If you are absent from class, your partner suffers.
Mix it up: Vary your training routine to keep it interesting and challenging. You have so many combat disciplines to choose from at Storm. Incorporate different disciplines, techniques, drills, and workouts into your training.
Remember the benefits:
Developing your inner warrior
Building a warrior mind-set
Developing quick thinking and calm demeanour
Building grit and tenacity
Increasing your mental strength, courage and toughness
Improving your self-discipline
Building strength and lean muscle mass.
Building agility thereby improving your athleticism
Keeping yourself young
Reducing stress and improving mood
Challenging yourself physically and mentally
Keeping pace with international developments
Evolving and improving with the system.
Connecting with community
Creating Bonds
Accountability
Experiencing the positive impact on all aspects of life.
In short, consistent training improves your physical fitness, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. Storm Combat is not just a combat gym, but offers you a way to become the best version of yourself.
See you on the mats, warrior.