Schedule Fits for Family Training

“I sought the training options at Vanguard due to my need for exercise and a desire to get son involved in an extracurricular activity. I needed an option that met my family’s busy schedule.  To be frank, it was quite difficult finding anything that started at 7:00 p.m. on weeknights.  I was very excited to find a viable option for my son and I to participate in that worked into our schedule.

Vanguard Gym has provided my son and I the opportunity to participate in a sport together, build our father-son bond, improve our level of fitness and self confidence, and have fun.  My son has significantly improved his school grades and self confidence since attending Vanguard.  Doug and the other coaches are true professionals who take the time to ensure that all the students, no matter what level of experience, grasp the techniques being taught and demonstrate proper execution of each sequential move.

My original goal was primarily based on getting my son involved in an extracurricular activity that met our schedule.  That goal has been met, as my son truly enjoys attending Vanguard. At the end of the day, both my son and I are reaping a number of rewards from attending Vanguard: exercise, father-son time, education, additional social interaction and self confidence. I’m involved in something with my son – that is priceless.  My son has improved significantly in his school grades and I have lost fifteen pounds since attending Vanguard.  Additionally, since I am older than the majority of the members, I feel good about being able to hang with the younger guys at my level.”

-Michael

Cross Training for Swimming

“I have always been involved in sports and enjoy being apart of a team. At Vanguard Gym the facility is absolutely awesome and the team involvement and respect everyone has towards the gym, sport and each other is unparalleled. Since joining the gym, I came out of retirement with swimming.  I have combined Mixed Martial Arts and CrossFit into my training regiment.  The training has made me stronger in the pool and my times are improving. I have noticed that my fast twitch muscles have been improving as well as my strength and conditioning.  I had great expectations starting out and I am still, always impressed! My alternative way of training with Vanguard has definitely turned some heads with the swimming community in the Northern Va/DC area.  I strongly feel that the training I do at Vanguard will help me get to the elite level in US swimming.”

-Joe

The Role of Challenge In Our Lives

Let me start by saying that, as a society, we are not challenged enough.  Many feel that they are challenged by their relationships, work, traffic, or other factor in their life – but few are truly challenged and tested on a daily basis.  Not to long ago Americans had to hunt and raise their own food.  They had to chop their own wood and build their own houses.  Their basic needs of food, shelter, and water were something they had to attend to on a day to day basis.  But as time has progressed along with technology in this century our challenges to defend ourselves against others, provide for our basic needs, and develop tribal ties for protection and support have gone away.

This doesn’t mean that our genetic, social, and psychological programming to challenge ourselves has gone away.  I firmly believe that a day that you don’t challenge yourself in some way is a day wasted.  If you don’t set goals to move forward, fight entropy, and be a better human being on a daily basis, you are just spinning your wheels… or worse; regressing.  Vanguard Gym is a place where you are challenged to improve in a mutually supportive environment.  You can set goals to improve just one percent per day, and see amazing results in short order.  You can test yourself against your environment, push yourself past your own limits, and train with and against your teammates to develop your skills.

The skills for self-defense, fitness, and healthy living are invaluable life skills, but you will also learn goal-setting, confidence, commitment, mental focus, humility, the value of a team or tribe, and improve the quality of your life in so many other ways.

You can explore all of the benefits training martial arts and CrossFit at Vanguard Gym here.  http://vanguardgym.com/blog/category/benefits/

What Training Has Brought Me…

“The benefits I’ve seen since my time at Vanguard Gym have far exceeded any expectations I had when I decided to venture into the sport. I’ve been able to set goals for myself and conquer them in a way I’d never of imagined had it not been for the help of the coaches and my fellow training partners.

The day I stepped through the door at Vanguard Gym I knew I wanted to be a fighter, and while I had a solid base in physical fitness I lacked many things that one would require in order to become such a fighter. Though through much hard work, dedication, and the invaluable knowledge and instruction of the Coaches, and Assistant Coaches, I was able to transform myself from an ordinary athletic guy, to a mixed martial arts fighter. And while becoming a fighter was my primary goal, I found so much more within the gym. Through working with the coaches, and my training partners, I forged a bond that I can think of no other way to describe it then “like family”. The one thing that I believe our gym has that conventional gyms don’t is this, all of the guys and girls within the gym form a family like bond, one that has helped me not only achieve physical goals, but internal goals as well. We all hear about how sports have changed people physically, but for me, some of the biggest and most rewarding changes being apart of the gym has helped me with are changes within myself. They say “iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another” this phrase couldn’t be any truer when I look back on all of the things I’ve gained since becoming a member of Vanguard Gym. Self Confidence, discipline, a sense of being a part of something, these are all things that I’ve improved on tremendously thanks to the gym, the Coaches, and everyone within the gym.”

-Mike Pope

Weight Loss and Self-Control

“When I first came to Vanguard Gym, I was walking around at 192 lbs.  After less than a year training at Vanguard, I’ve lost 45 lbs and compete in the lightweight division.  I feel great, I’m in the best shape of my life and my confidence great.  Training at Vanguard, I’ve learned to control my emotions.  I’ve become more mellow to the point where things that used to bother me don’t anymore.  I’ve gained skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and MMA.  Only Vanguard has the program that fits the expectation I need and to push me to my limits.  I have more self -control and self-discipline.  I believe training at Vanguard can help me accomplish my goals.   I highly recommend joining Vanguard Gym, whether you just want to get into shape or become a great fighter.”

-Duy

Law Enforcement Officer’s Testimonial

“When I decided to come to Vanguard I had done my homework and researched other schools in the area before choosing to join.  I was looking for a gym that had an instructor with a good background and solid skill set to teach from, along with other students that were experienced and competitive.  Quality training is something that is hard to find, although there are plenty of impostors, I was looking for the best in the area.  What I have found has exceeded my expectations, and raised my personal goals.  The excellent instruction, combined with the friendly and competitive environment have helped me learn and grow faster than I ever expected.  I am learning new techniques that I did not know before, and I have been able to apply them in my career in law enforcement.  I have noticed a drastic improvement in my game.  The techniques are taught in a very thorough fashion that include instruction and live practice with others in class.  I look forward to being a student at Vanguard for a long time, and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for quality training.  As soon as my children are old enough I will be bringing them to the children’s class!”

-George

Father of two boys…

I have two boys.  Boys have a need to test themselves.  They want to stay in shape.  They want to develop skills they can be proud of.  They want to be around people they can learn from.

Training martial arts is like learning a musical instrument in that they have to earn the skills they want.  They just can’t show up and hang out and expect to learn how to fight and get stronger.  They have to mix it up with guys who have something to offer and instructors have to have the wisdom to push them (inspire) to learn more every day.  I want them to see how much they are learning to keep them motivated.  I love seeing them excited to tell me what they did that day.

I am praying that this will be a lifetime pursuit.  Something they will pass on to their kids.  Just like learning an instrument this is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, the best thing I think the boys could do would be to make a lifetime commitment to train.  I am grateful that Vanguard is run as a Dojo.  There is obviously a sacred commitment to what is being taught there.  There is respect and fun and appreciation.  Martial artists are also given the opportunity to compete to really test themselves.  Vanguard Gym is a very inspirational place.

Commitment

Commitment – by committing to short and long-term goals practitioners of Mixed Martial Arts and CrossFit find the value and reap the benefits of following through with their commitments.  By applying the goal-setting and problem-solving skills learned in martial arts to the rest of their lives, practitioners live more fulfilled and purpose driven lives.

Focus

The philosophical components of the Mixed Martial Arts. Mental and Spiritual Focus – learning to deal with stressful situations and control anger and fear. Many find Stress Management tools in the training, and learn to work toward near-term and far-term goals. Practitioners learn to stay calm and respond to stressful situations appropriately.

Family

Family – families enjoy activities together. Being able to build life skills in a fun and safe training environment together is a benefit that many find invaluable.