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Sports

HEALTH SPOTLIGHT: BJJ Conquest

Crofton's BJJ Conquest offers an alternative workout with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Push-ups, sit-ups, jogging and crab crawls.

And that was just the warm-up before the real workout began.

The real workout is the world’s fastest growing martial art called Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is based on grappling, submissions and takedowns through the use of leverage.

This martial art originated in India about 1,000 years ago and it came to Brazil during the 1930s.  It has been practiced in the United States since the early 1990s.

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Croftonites who are not into working out at the gym but still want to exercise can experience classes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) at BJJ Conquest.

According to BJJ Conquest, MMA incorporates striking and kicking with takedowns and grappling for the purpose of both sport and self-defense. It is also a rapidly growing sport in the United States due to the popularity of organizations such as the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship).

“Most of the ground techniques used in the UFC are based in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu,” BJJ Conquest co-owner Lance Trippett said. Trippett has over 15 years Martial Arts experience and has a Black Belt in American Kenpo.

BJJ Conquest co-owner Kail Bosque, a purple belt and nationally ranked Jiu Jitsu competitor, said the health benefits of the martial arts are limitless.

“It is excellent for cardio. I think it is the best thing out there for weight loss.  We’ve had several students come in and within the first two months they’ve lost up to 30 pounds,” Bosque said. “They didn’t change their diet; they just came in three times a week. My dad, who is 50, is in the best shape of his life and he was in the military.  Since he’s been doing Jiu Jitsu over a year, his cholesterol and weight has been lower than it’s ever been. That’s a great example of an older person benefiting from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu just for coming in three times a week.”

Trippett said that once students start coming to class and being around other people who are exercising and eating healthier, a pattern forms. He believes everyone starts getting on the healthier lifestyle wagon.

For more information about classes at BJJ Conquest, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA visit www.bjjconquest.com.

Have you ever incorporated martial arts into your exercise regimen? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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