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Martial Arts Classes to Try: Krav Maga, Tai Chi, and Tae Kwon Do

Heather Dale — Fri, 06 May 2011 02:24:53 PDT

Martial arts is an umbrella term used for systems of training for combat. Boxing, karate, tai chi, tae kwon do, krav maga, kung fu, kickboxing, wrestling, and jiu jitsu all fall into the martial arts category, because they all have the same underlying principle - protection from physical threat. Martial arts can be broken into five categories including: grappling styles, stand-up or striking styles, low-impact styles, weapons-based styles, and MMA (a hybrid sports style).
Now that the weather is finally workout-friendly, you've gotten back into your Spring training groove. To keep your momentum from losing any speed, be sure to mix up your workout routine with interesting new classes. Here are three types of martial arts sports that are guaranteed to mix up your regular workout routine!

Ashton Kutcher Uses P90X to Deliver the Blows in Killers

FitSugar — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:02:52 PDT

Ashton Kutcher really got into his role as a spy in the upcoming action-packed romantic comedy Killers. During a press conference, Collider.com reports that Ashton admitted to accidentally knocking out a stuntman and kicking actor Rob Riggle in the face during the fight scenes. Based on what Ashton says, it sounds like the movie is going to have some pretty fantastic action scenes.

"My stunt guy went to the hospital twice for jumping through glass. I did jump off a boat and I did most of the fight stuff. I bought one of those DVDs off the TV - those exercise tapes. And I put it in and watched it and got in shape. I did some fight training. I learned Krav Maga, Muay Thai, and Kali, which is a Filipino knife fighting."

In case you're wondering what Ashton works out to at home, it's the P90X system, which also counts Pink as a fan. The P90X system is a series of 12 targeted workouts (including yoga, circuit training, and plyometrics) and a nutrition program that promises to transform your body in three months. Ashton's wife, Demi Moore, first started tweeting that the couple were using P90X last year though she had only done the yoga component of the workout series. It looks like the idea of filming Killers was big motivation for Ashton to get in shape. Shortly after getting his P90X system he tweeted, "stepping up the work outs to 2 a days. time to get serious. I'm so paranoid about doing scenes with my shirt off."

As far as knocking out his stuntman goes, Ashton feels pretty bad: "That was a bad ordeal . . . I hurt a lot of people. I should have just let the stunt guy do everything, to be honest, and stuck to just making jokes."

Swank Worthy: Krav Maga

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:30:00 PST

On the red carpet yesterday, Oscar veteran Hilary Swank mentioned she was keeping fit with Krav Maga. The name sounds a little like a spell from the Harry Potter series, but the health and fitness nut seems to be expanding her workout repertoire.

Krav Maga is a form of self-defense used by the Israeli army, and "Krav Maga" translates literally from Hebrew to mean "contact combat." Let me tell you, it sounds intense, both mentally and physically. Krav Maga is described as a "practical and tactical system, which teaches how to prevent, deal, and overcome all kinds of violence and attacks." The classes seem extremely physical and are designed to create fatigue using stress drills that help students learn and react under adverse conditions. Sounds really fierce to me.

To see what Hilary has to say about it, just

read more. Hilary explains it like this:

You punch, you kick, you also learn how to get out of a choke hold. I love, love it.

Krav Maga academies are located internationally. If you are interested in studying this form of self-defense, you can find a school near you here. The studio near my house offers two classes for free so you can try it out before buying a class package. Taking a physically intense self-defense class like this sounds like a way to burn some serious calories and learn some important skills at the same time. Have you tried Krav Maga? Tell me about in the comments section below. Source

Healthy Dose Link Time: Demi Moore Addresses Weight Loss

Michele Foley — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:37:30 PST

Demi Moore speaks out on her dramatic weight loss - Fit Celeb
Healthy? Hardly. Don't be tricked by these food labeling tricks - HuffPo
Quick doesn't always mean bad: picking the right instant oatmeal - Fitness
Check out model Bar Refaeli's Krav Maga-inspired workout - Shape
How to make healthy resolutions work for you this year - Prevention
Not only are these 20 foods super, they'll help with weight loss - Self

Work Out Like a Captain: Tips For Staying Fit on Planet Earth

GeekSugar — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:37:15 PDT

Just because you live in space, doesn't mean you can't stay fit. Captain Picard is known throughout the Starfleet for his excellent health (despite some cardiac complications after a near-fatal stabbing through the heart) and fit physique, and he keeps fit by playing sports of all kinds. Check out some of his favorite activities on board the Enterprise and on solid ground. Remember to take a tip from the captain and relax every once in awhile - an extended holiday is good for your health!

Running

Captain Picard is in excellent shape due to his love of running. He is the first freshman to win the Starfleet Academy Marathon, a 24-mile race on the planet Dranula II. If you're not at your tip-top shape just yet, FitSugar can give you plenty of tips on how to keep common running injuries at bay.

Racquetball

Captain Picard enjoys sports on the Enterprise, thanks to the holodeck, one of his favorites being racquetball. Racquetball provides an amazing workout (blasting over 200 calories in 30 minutes) and tests your hand-eye coordination with the quick moving target.

See the rest after the break.

Demi Moore Keeps Her Bikini Strings Attached While NYE Yachting With Ashton

Katie Henry — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 07:27:54 PST

Demi Moore spent a luxurious New Year's Eve yachting off the coast of St. Barts in a skimpy Missoni bikini on Friday. She looked toned and tanned in her two-piece with husband Ashton Kutcher by her side. Ashton kept covered up, but the January Men's Fitness cover model revealed his workout regimen of hot Bikram yoga, running, and Krav Maga. He's back in fighting shape and ready to promote No Strings Attached, which opens on Jan. 21. Ashton stars opposite recently engaged mom-to-be Natalie Portman in the romantic comedy that has them casually shacking up and constantly making out.