News

Every man on some level would love to be a sporting hero, or rise to a physical challenge and excel above and beyond. The ambitious, competitive, macho streak of single minded determination is lurking in even the most office-bound non-gym type of male.

High intensity training (HIT) was developed as a technique for building strength and potentially size through using weights. High intensity interval training (HIIT) is a variation on a theme and designed to really get your cardio system going with short, intense workouts that bring the muscles to the point of fatigue.

Body images of women have changed with fluctuating trends over the years, and amongst the media images and fashions of the day, there are real women considering what they want too. So what do women actually want when it comes to their fitness and their bodies? Is it all about being slim and trim, or more about being toned and improving function? What motivates women to keep fit today?

Exercise Vs Women?

In 1912 Harpers & Bazaar magazine asked women: 'Are Athletics a Menace to Motherhood?' Over the years, this idea of exercise potentially working against women's best interest has been evident, with question marks over fertility and fitness.

Toddlers as young as two, with unhealthy profiles, could have greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) when they're older. So says a large-scale European study which recommends activity guidelines for the under-9s. This latest research adds to the already worrying trend that obesity in children is on the rise and that many youngsters are simply not doing enough.

Workshops with U.S. Shuai chiao pioneer,
Dr. Chi-hsiu Daniel Weng
Friday September 20
&
Saturday September 21

Dr. Weng performing Shuai chiao demo in Yixing, China

First Defense is honored to host Dr. Chi-hsiu Daniel Weng for a series of workshops on Shuai chiao (also spelled Shuaijiao), or "Chinese Wrestling".

The oldest form of Kung-fu, dating back to the days of Huan-Ti, the "Yellow Emperor" (2700 B.C.) Shuai-chiao or Shuaijiao (sometimes referred to as "Chinese Wrestling") focuses on the use of throws, trips, and take downs.

First Defense is excited to bring our 8-Week Krav Maga Foundations Course to Fairfax!
We will hold the courses at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center (3740 Old Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA 22030).  There are 2 Sessions available:

SESSION 1 begins on Monday, September 9th & the class time is 7:30-8:30pm and will run for 8 consecutive Monday evenings.

We're always being told that exercise invigorates your whole body and really releases energy, giving you a new lease of life. What it can also do is help you nod off. Not because you are bored of course, but because working out has long been touted as an antidote for insomnia, or at least worthwhile in the pursuit of a restful night's sleep.

A great plus point that drives many fitness seekers to the expertise of a personal trainer is the motivation having your very own fitness guru can bring. Having to answer to one other person and have a committed trainer on hand, focusing on you, can definitely transform your body, your mind and your lifestyle.

Any mom knows just how exhausting a new baby can be, so surely pregnancy is a time to put your feet up, isn't it? This is the time when you relax and do as little as possible, making the most of the relative calm before the storm of nappies and sleepless nights.

You're so vain, you probably think this article's about you, don't you? Well, if you do, then perhaps you're one of those men who are glancing back in the mirror and asking, as many women who've gone before them have, "does my behind look big in this?" The problems potentially arise though when concern about how you look turns into a bad body image.