Don’t join a gym until you’ve read this… The biggest goal for many people at the start of the New Year is to get fit and healthy.  Everywhere you look are adverts claiming ‘New Year, New You’ or ‘Drop a Dress size in January’. But how do you do get in kick-ass shape and develop...

Why Every Child Should Learn Martial Arts Naomi started training at Masters Academy in 2000 when she was 4 years old. In this short interview she talks about how training martial arts has benefited her life and why she feels every child should learn martial arts. If you have ever wondered whether Martial Arts training...

Mastering Martial Arts Ep.11: Lifestyle Challenges Three weeks in and I was shredded. And I mean Arnie level shredded. Not Arnie in Terminator Genesis, I’m talking Arnie in his Mr Universe days. I had a full six pack and my back looked like the Himalayas. All I’d done is make one simple change to my...

Essential Boxing: Lessons 3 & 4 It took just under 6 minutes for Holly Holm to knock out Ronda Rousey at UFC 193. And she did it all with simple techniques and excellent movement. Going into this title fight, Rousey had a perfect 12-0 record and had demolished her last three opponents in a combined...

Essential Boxing: Lessons 1 & 2 Since July Masters Academy Plymouth have been working with the Ultra White Collar Boxing (UWCB) organisation. The UWCB has been running events round the UK for 6 years and have so far raised over £2,000,000 for Cancer Research UK. The events are not for professionals boxers, instead they are...

Mastering Martial Arts #10: Five Easy Nutrition Tips In 2008, I was in the process of losing 5kg to make weight for the World Grappling Games.Losing 5kg when you’re already lean is a challenge. Particularly when the weigh in and fight are only a few hours apart. I had reduced my calorie intake, I was...

Mastering Martial Arts Ep.09: Training with Injuries Injuries or breaks from training are inevitable but they don’t have to stop your development. In fact its possible to return from a break in training better than when you stopped. In this video you’ll learn how to keep progressing even if you can’t physically train. Key Points:...

Hand Wraps for Boxing and Muay Thai Kickboxing What is hand wrapping? Why should you do it? How do you do it? Coach Louis answers all these questions and demonstrates how he likes to wrap his hands in this short video. For more information about Boxing or Muay Thai Kickboxing classes in Plymouth call 01752...

Mastering Martial Arts Ep.08: Hierarchy of Technique How you learn a new technique is crucial in the how quickly you’ll be able to use it. Unfortunately, most people place do it completely wrong. In this short video Masters Academy Coach, Tom Barlow, shares the best way to learn a new technique. Key Points: Focus on...

Mastering Martial Arts Ep.06: Belts and Grading Belts and grading are an integral part of most martial arts. However, they are often misunderstood. Coloured belts are a relatively new tradition, originally the only belt you received was a white belt. This stayed with you throughout your entire martial arts journey. Over the years your white...