Club Blog

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legend, Clark Gracie, teaches between four and five classes at week in San Diego at the La Jolla Sports Club. In every class you can expect not only a challenging workout but to learn fighting and self defense techniques from one of the best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighters in the United States. Check out this short video on what each class has to offer and feel free to come visit our club to try out a class for yourself!

(ARA) – More than just aches and pains, arthritis is a chronic disease that damages joints and can lead to loss of function or disability. In fact, it is the most common cause of disability in the United States, affecting 50 million Americans or 22 percent of the total population.

For years it was believed that people with arthritis should not exercise because movement could cause further damage to joints. Now, physical activity is recognized as playing an integral role in the prevention and treatment of arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, exercise provides relief from pain, improves physical function and quality of life, and delays the onset of disability without worsening symptoms or the progression of the disease.

Unfortunately, the already staggering social and economic impact of arthritis in the United States is set to explode in coming decades.  A new government report found that the number of adults with arthritis has increased by almost 1 million since 2003 to 2005 and it’s estimated that arthritis will affect 67 million Americans in 2030. 

The effects of arthritis can be devastating, but self-management strategies such as weight loss and increasing physical activity can lessen pain and improve function, and may prevent or limit the impact of arthritis on daily activities. “For every one pound you lose, that’s four pounds of pressure off each knee,” says Dr. Patience H. White, the Arthritis Foundation’s vice president of public health. In addition, losing as little as 11 pounds can reduce your risk of developing knee osteoarthritis by 50 percent.

It is important for Americans to make daily movement a year-round goal. While it may seem hard to get started, there are plenty of opportunities for you to move year-round, no matter where you are or what the season:

* Move with others. Enjoy exercise more by making it a social activity you can enjoy with your friends. The Arthritis Foundation organizes events year-round to keep people moving, including the Jingle Bell Run/Walk and Arthritis Walk, which also raise money for important arthritis research and community services. You can get started today by registering for an event near you.

* Take a walk. A stroll around your neighborhood or on a walking path will not only leave you with a trimmer physique and less joint pain, but can also improve your mood and overall sense of well-being. When it’s too cold or hot outside, move indoors by using a treadmill or walking in place. For a walking program that is specifically designed to reduce arthritis discomfort and improve overall health, try the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk with Ease program.

* Try Tai Chi. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese exercise with a variety of proven health benefits, such as reducing stress and relieving arthritis pain. Because its gentle movements are easy to learn and do not require uncomfortable bending or squatting, Tai Chi is a great way to move all year. Check with your local Arthritis Foundation office to find a class near you.

To find out about more ways you can move year-round, visit www.letsmovetogether.org.

Beyond the physical benefits of attending fitness boot camps, there are several aspects of each boot camp that can further help you achieve your fitness goals. Here are a few of the reasons why attending a fitness boot camp may be right for you:

Boot Camps: Motivation through Teamwork
The camaraderie of having other soldiers sweating and working right next to you will push you to new levels. The group aspect of fitness boot camps will provide you with the support and motivation you need, making each session more enjoyable. For the first time ever, you might even look forward to working out!

Boot Camps: Personal Training Results, Not Price
Hiring a good trainer can be expensive, but finding a good trainer who also does fitness boot camps can help you get similar results at a fraction of the price. With a fitness boot camp you get the expert advice and guidance without the high costs. You have a trained professional watching you to make sure you are doing each exercise correctly and giving you workouts you probably wouldn’t do on your own.

Boot Camps: Customized Service
Similar to personal training, many fitness boot camps will provide you with body analysis and performance testing. This vital information will allow you to track your progress and gauge your improvement. This information will help you stay motivated through times when you may not see physical changes in your body. Fitness boot camps instructors will also use this information to customize the exercise and intensity of each exercise you do during each boot camp session.

Boot Camps: Get Outside
Boot camps are also great because you’re not confined to machines in gyms in or in your home. Fitness boot camps take your workout outdoors with minimal equipment, or even none at all, and you are still guaranteed an intense, fat-burning workout. You can find fitness boot camps happening in parks, on the beach, in parking lots, or a variety of other outdoor locations.

Understand your Goals

The most common goal is to lose weight but other motivators can be to improve self confidence, kick start a fitness routine or meet new people. Whatever your personal motivation, it is important to keep this in mind when you are choosing your fitness provider. If you don’t get the impression that it will be a fun and positive experience for you, then it is probably worth looking at other options.

Timing & Location

Make it easy on yourself. If it is too hard to get there or creates stress in other parts of your life, then it is probably not the right program for you. By choosing a time and location that can easily fit into your routine, you immediately eliminate your barriers to regular exercise. After all, exercise is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, not another source of stress in your life.

Choose your Preferred Training Technique

As I mentioned in the introduction, group fitness is not all about being yelled at. The new direction in group fitness means that:

• Not all group fitness providers will yell at you to ‘motivate’ you

• There are alternatives to running around at the crack of dawn

• Not all group fitness classes are the same

The important thing is to take a good look at your trainers qualifications, experience and fitness philosophy. If you think that it will work for you then go for it. Group fitness can be a really positive experience in a great social environment, so take the time to find a provider that fits your needs.

If you are interested in working out in a group, there are a variety of methods to help you find the group that is right for you. First, you must determine what kind of exercise you prefer the most. If you do not have a preference, then try several different types and select one or two that make you feel particularly enthusiastic about working out.

Next, contact an organization that supplies the type of activity that you seek. If you are a body-builder, then you will want to contact local gyms. If you wrestle, contact local wrestling studios. Yoga practitioners can contact local yoga studios and so on.

Before you commit to an extended membership at a gym or studio, ask to schedule a visit and sample work-out session. During your visit, go through a simple routine or follow along with the class. Ask yourself if you feel comfortable and stimulated in the environment and if the other participants will motivate and inspire you to achieve your physical goals.

Once you have settled on the facility that feels right for you, make a commitment to spend at least one hour three days a week there. Get to know the staff – they will keep track of you and, surprisingly, motivate you to return if you feel you are faltering. Make friends in your class or gym so that you can have casual camaraderie during your session. Feeling social connected and motivated can help you stick to your work out goals, especially when the hustle and bustle of life compels you elsewhere.