The Advantages of Power Fitness Classes

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Power fitness classes, sounds intimidating doesn’t it? You imagine a grueling workout and sore muscles for days after the class and you decide that it’s just not right for you. If you leave it at that, you are doing yourself a great disservice.

Power fitness is a total body workout; it works your muscles, strengthens your heart and gets you into shape quickly. There are many benefits to a power workout:
• Weight control / loss
• Build core strength
• Boost and strengthen your immune system
• Reduces stress, depression and anxiety

You only get out of it what you put in, and when you attend power fitness classes at Renzo Gracie NH, you will find that our routine is intense, however, it is also a lot of fun. We incorporated Jiu jitsu and kick boxing into our routine so you are not only getting a power fitness workout, you are also learning skills that you can use to defend yourself if necessary.

Life today is stressful; work, home and family obligations can stress you to your limit; Our power fitness classes are a fun way relieve stress, and improve your mood and your attitude. With each class that you take, you notice how good you feel and your confidence and self-esteem rising. When you are in shape, you just feel better about yourself. You will look forward to coming back again and again.

Professor Kevin Landry brings all of his knowledge and skills to each class; he has trained with the greatest masters in the world today. When you attend a power fitness class at Renzo Gracie NH, you will benefit from their knowledge and expertise.

It is up to you to take the first step, once you do, you will see an incredible transformation on how you look and feel; Call us today to get started on the road to great health!

August 27, 2015/by Renzo Gracie NH

Stop Bullying before it begins!

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The first day of school is approaching quickly and children everywhere are both excited to see old friends and nervous about advancing to a new grade. For some kids, fear of being bullied gives them nightmares and they dread going to school. Whether bullying takes place on the school bus, playground, hallways or bathrooms, bullied children are at risk for hurting themselves to make the bullying stop.

Even though most schools have a zero tolerance policy against bullying, these crafty kids find a way to torment those who are smaller than them and those who are timid. Parents struggle to find solutions to this growing problem however they are often met with resistance from school officials who deny that there is a problem. There are ways for parents to take action and stop their child from being bullied.
One way to stop bullying is to teach your child how to defend himself or herself. Martial arts is an excellent way to teach your children to stand up for themselves and stop the bullies. At Renzo Gracie NH, our Jiu Jitsu classes are not only designed with self-defense in mind, they teach children to self-respect and confidence. You will notice the difference after the very first class.
Studies have shown that bullied children do poorly in school, their grades fall, they cannot focus and in extreme cases they can hurt themselves. Bullies know how to get around being noticed by teachers and school staff and they can inflict a lot of pain and suffering on a child and lower their self-esteem and confidence. They will eventually believe what the bully tells them.

Our Jiu Jitsu classes are taught by Professor Kevin Landry, a master of the arts. He will teach your child:

• Self Defense
• Discipline
• Confidence
• Self esteem

What’s more is that your child will have fun learning! We offer a family friendly atmosphere, a place where children feel comfortable and no pressure. They actually enjoy the lessons that will allow them to be free from bullying.
Call us now to schedule a tour of our facility, we guarantee your child will benefit from our experience!

August 26, 2015/by Renzo Gracie NH

Power Fitness Classes; get in the best shape of your life!

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Life today can be hectic; working all day, coming home to clean and prepare dinner and taking the kids to their afterschool activities can leave you exhausted. All you want to do is sit down, grab the remote and a snack and just relax; this is the scenario in thousands of households across the country. The problem is, when you do this day after day, you can get out of shape very quickly and there are serious health risks for those who are overweight. Getting back into shape is very important to your health.
One of the best ways to get back into shape is power fitness classes; it is a high energy, total body workout that builds your core strength. This may sound hard, however, at Renzo Gracie NH, we make it fun! We have developed a power fitness class that combines Jiu jitsu and kickboxing into our routine and you will see for yourself the benefits of joining our power fitness classes.

• Weight loss
• Boosts and strengthen your immune system
• Improves confidence and self esteem
• Learn self-defense techniques
These are just a few benefits of our classes. The high energy level of our power fitness class improves your mood and attitude like nothing else can; it; even though the class is an hour long, the time just flies by! In just a few classes, you will see the results of your hard work! It will improve your self-esteem and your confidence will soar!
Power fitness classes at Renzo Gracie NH are a great way to relieve stress; you leave feeling better, happier and more relaxed. It’s the perfect way to clear your head and become focused on important matters and you are more confident that you can accomplish the goals that you set for yourself.
An added benefit to our power fitness classes is that we incorporate self-defense techniques into our routine; you will have the peace of mind in knowing that you will be able to protect yourself if the need arises.
Any doctor will tell you that exercise is a necessity to staying in shape, a good cardio workout is great for keeping your heart strong and overall good health. Our power fitness class is a great cardio workout you can feel the difference even after the first class.
Our friendly, family orientated atmosphere promotes a sense of unity; a place where families can be together and have fun while getting in shape. We encourage all family members to do their best in a supportive and friendly manner.

Renzo Gracie NH invites you to come in and see what we can do for you! Call us now to schedule your first class!

August 25, 2015/by Renzo Gracie NH

Renzo Gracie NH Power Fitness Classes

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At Renzo Gracie NH, we think that getting in shape should be more fun than a dreaded chore; we’ve designed our Power Fitness and Jiu Jitsu classes to be an exciting way to get in shape, lose weight and have fun doing it. It is a way to raise your self-esteem and feel better about yourself.

In the business world today appearance is everything; you only get one chance to make a first impression and being physically fit goes a long way in corporate America. Getting or staying in shape can be difficult when you sit at a desk for eight hours a day or more. There is a craze today to get in shape; three quarter of the world is overweight or obese.

Most people want to lose the unwanted pounds, however, doing it the right way is critical to sustained weight loss. Fad diets and weight loss supplements may result in losing the extra weight, however it almost always comes back and for those who lose weight too quickly, there is the problem of saggy skin. That is most definitely not attractive.

In order to lose weight and sustain it, you need a total body workout; an exercise routine that will build your core strength. Taking the first steps will be the hardest, however once you do, you will be glad you did!

Our power fitness classes are designed to be high energy, to develops high endurance and leads to overall better health, weight loss, and stress relief. You leave with a better attitude then when you came in. And with each class that you take, you will notice how much better you look and feel.

It is understandable that after a long and almost always stressful day, you want to go home and relax; make dinner, sit on the couch and watch TV, often with a high fat snack. This does nothing to get yourself in shape. Power fitness is not to be feared; it is an incredible way to build your self-esteem, reduce stress and boost your immune system.

Power Fitness does take some work, however everything worth having is worth working for right? Many people think that you have to be in shape to start the power fitness class at Renzo Gracie NH; nothing could be further from the truth! Our classes are designed to get you in the best shape of your life!

Call us now and see what our power fitness can do for you! Once you take the first class you’ll want to do more!! Call us now!

August 19, 2015/by Renzo Gracie NH

Can Martial Arts Stop Bullying?

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Bullying today has gotten way out of control; whether it is at school, on social media sites or in the workplace, bullying has become intolerable, especially in schools. Every year, thousands of children attend school knowing that they will be bullied. Many of them are too afraid to tell their parents because of fear of reprisal from the bully, and some just do not think their parents can help.

Did you know there are 3 different types of bullying and each can have devastating effects on your child?
• Social – Schools have always had social groups, gangs or whatever you want to call them, however each can and often are cruel. They tease and torment classmates by starting rumors to humiliate them forcing them to withdraw from school activities and events.
• Verbal – in most schools, this is not tolerated however, in hallways and bathrooms where teachers cannot hear them, they find their victims and assault them with words. This often results in lower grades and the victim dreading school.
• Physical – this is the worst kind of bullying, it leave the victim with a physical reminder of what they are going through.
Parents struggle as they watch their child suffer, especially when all their efforts to stop the bullying end in failure.
With the new school year fast approaching, students are getting ready to go back to school, some are excited, and some are terrified of it. Why? Because they are bullied. Bullies pick on those who are small and timid, the children they know will not and cannot stand up to them.
Excessive bullying can affect a child for his or her entire life. It causes:
• Low self-esteem
• Bad grades
• Anxiety
• Self-loathing
• It can cause them to hurt themselves
• In extreme cases, suicide

The best way to help your child succeed is to teach them that they do not have to submit to bullies; one of the best methods to accomplish this is martial arts classes.
You may be wondering ‘can martial arts stop bullying?’ and the answer is yes! There are different forms of the martial arts, and each teaches your child restraint, self-discipline and most of all, self-defense.

Self defenses classes for kids will raise your child’s confidence level by teaching them the art of self-defense. Parents may be concerned that martial Arts classes will teach their children how to fight; that is not the idea.

When your child attends quality martial arts classes, the instructors teach him or her to defend himself or herself and also that under no circumstances to hurt another. They build their confidence and their self-esteem so they will not be bullied in school or anywhere else.

Call us now or Click the button below to get your child started on a bully-free future!

August 6, 2015/by Renzo Gracie NH

Good Hygiene for Jiu Jitsu Classes

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Good Hygiene for Jiu Jitsu Classes

Have you ever been to Jiu Jitsu class and had a rolling partner be that guy or girl with the stinky gi? Your trying to hold your breath and keep your guard together at the same time. Here are some tips to keep your rolling sessions fresh and clean.

Copyright Meerkatsu published with permission.

For those that do not know, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a close combat system. It is unlike almost any other sport that people participate in. You are touching or just inches away from your teammates or opponents almost the entire time. It is disrespectful not just to yourself but also your rolling partners to not have a high level of personal hygiene. In this article I will offer some advice on how to properly keep your hygiene what I have dubbed “Jiu-Jitsu Clean”. I wish I didn’t have to write this article. I have never ran into an unclean person rolling along with my teammates, yet I know this will help guide some people to prepare properly for class.

The first thing you will want to do is keep your gi clean and dried. Once you are done rolling in it and you’ve changed to go home from the academy it should be washed. I bring a gym bag to class, yet I fold my pants into my Kimono and use my belt to loop it around as a neat package. I find this helps me to take it into the house and leave the bag in the car.

Follow your Gi manufacturer’s instructions. Most will say gentle cold water and hang dry. Do not use bleach on gi’s, this will damage the fabric. If you train more than twice a week, then adding a second gi to your line up can be a time saver. When you wash your gi, it’s a good habit to wash your belt and any rash guards and hand towels as well. I use a hemp belt and as much as it is toted for being anti-bacterial I still wash it.

Now that your gi is taken care of, you’ll want to take care of yourself. Conventional soap works, but I find ones with tea tree oil helps fight against bacteria as an extra precaution. I have used Grounders Soap for months, but have heard amazing things about Fight Soap, Arm Bar Soap and Soap-A-Licious as well. I know what you’re thinking, “Soap made specifically for BJJ?” yes, and I don’t mind paying for a quality product that keeps me feeling clean while knowing I am treating my skin to a handmade healthy product.

You should always shower before and after class. This cuts down on the chances of ring worm, staff infections and other nasty’s. Please make sure your finger and toe nails are trimmed. I was at the IBJFF Boston Open a few months back and treated a random purple belt, during his match his opponent tried to get a triangle and the guy’s eagle talon of a big toe nail scratched his face enough to bleed.

If you use a mouth guard it must be cleaned after each session. You’re placing a product directly into your mouth and have a much higher rate of bacteria growing there. There are sprays that are made specifically for disinfecting mouth guards. You may also use a toothbrush and toothpaste followed by a cold water rinse, then rinse it with mouth wash and pat dry.

So there you have it, keep your gi; belt, gear and yourself clean and you’ll be the stylish guy or girl in the academy that people will be happy to roll with. If there is someone in your school that needs a gentle reminder that they may be lacking good hygiene, a gentle pull to the side at the end of class is the best approach. Keep it respectful and quiet. Everyone has an off day. One last bit of advice, I like to wash my gym bag once a week to kill any lurker germs that could be in there. I hope you enjoyed this blog article and would love if you checked out the official Renzo Gracie NH Facebook. There is a new, free email subscription that we have set up on the main page, sign up and receive a new detailed instructional video each month. Till next time, keep your gi clean, keep going to your Jiu Jitsu classes and keep learning.

A special thank you to Meerkatsu and Grounders Soap for their permission to use their artwork and photo.

June 24, 2015/by Renzo Gracie NH

The Top Five Benefits of Self Defense Classes for Kids

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Top Five Benefits of Self-Defense Classes for Kids

I arrived to class this week to see my BJJ team mates and showed up a bit early. I wasn’t planning on rolling, as I had a little princess at home waiting for me to read to her and put her to bed. Such is the life of a BJJ dad or mom. When I walked into the academy I saw the mats were filled nicely with children ranging from 4 to 12 on the mats in separate groups based on size. This was self-defense classes for kids and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

I would not realize the importance of this visit until a few days later. Up until this point, I had not placed much thought into the kids jiu jitsu classes. Even with a year and a half year old toddler at home, I figured she would eventually join because it’s something I love and have a passion for. Let me take a moment and give a quick explanation of what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is. BJJ is a sport and self defense system that focuses on submissions on the ground. There are no strikes taught, as leverage and pressure create arm, foot and headlocks. It teaches techniques that a smaller, weaker person can use to stop and defeat a larger attacker.

I was like most every other kid who grew up in the Eighties, my parents thought that Karate would be the best thing for me and keep me out of the arcade. What actually happened was a latchkey after school program that had almost zero bearing on discipline, self defense, nor activity. Now please understand, Karate has it’s place and I have the utmost respect for it. I am not slamming Karate, but the school and Instructor that I, and many other people attended are what I found lacking.

So many Karate academies focus on building the students self esteem up with various belt test and promotions. It makes the kids chase the colors, not the goal. It seems kids have a belt test every two months, leaving the child holding a belt rank that wasn’t vested.

We would fill in each day and tie our belts, bow to the flag and teacher, bow to each other then practice throwing imaginary punches and kicks into thin air, then afterwards we would practice Kata, which are detailed choreographed patterns to give muscle memory. I remember not staying there for too long as we were lower income and we could not afford the constant belt test fees.

So back to the class going on at Renzo Gracie New Hampshire. There are several purple belts on the mats with the kids, each have a line leading to them, practicing kicks and a take down of the leg.

The children are focused and pay attention to the instructions. They hit actual padded targets, not air, so they get instant feedback. The purple belts are correcting mistakes in a manner that encourages the children. Parents look from just behind the partition, with pride as the children’s smiles grown bigger when they are asked if they would like to do some jiu jitsu.

The kids are shown a side control technique that will help them to escape or subdue an attack.

The older students are instructed to find clear places on the mat, and get into a guard position, the younger students form a line against the wall and each find a partner. They slap hands and bump fist, and start to practice. They get feed back not only from their training partners but the purple belts and Professor Landry as they walk around checking to make sure the technique is done correctly and safely. If they get past the persons defense, the winner gets on the ground and another child partners up with them and they slapped hands and go for a fresh round.

The kids finish class, bow to the mat and run to their parents, talking about the class. They just spent an hour having fun, building social skills, learning and exercising all at the same time. I was jealous. I wished I had been shown BJJ at such an early age. Deep down I know it would of better prepared me for life. It would of kept me focused during my years in school, kept me healthier and definitely kept me a bit less socially awkward.

As someone who has lived almost his entire life with obesity and low self esteem, who is also in the process of turning his health around, you don’t have to take my word for it. Taken directly from the CDC website; “Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.”

I hope this answers some questions about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The 8 year old in me hopes that you take your child to a free introduction class. When you see the smile on their face and their confidence grow, you will see the benefits first hand.

What lesson did I learn you ask? I learned that my little daughter will join me on the mats as soon as she is old enough. The Renzo Gracie Self Defense classes for kids will help her learn team work and goal building. The benefits of using your mind and body to overcome a bigger attacker will giver her tools that she will use all of her life. Mental and physical sharpness, confidence, and self esteem all while being a humble and respectful young adult.

Key Takeaways:

Your child will learn to defend themselves from bullying in a safe and nurturing environment.
They will gain confidence in their daily life.
Your child will learn about team work and camaraderie.
They will learn about discipline, its principles and how to work towards goals.
They will increase their exercise habits and learn healthy living habits that will last a life time.

June 4, 2015/by Renzo Gracie NH

BJJ Classes – The First Week

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Where did I leave off with my BJJ classes? Oh yes, I finished my first day sore but extremely happy.

The next morning I had the previous night’s events fresh in my head and it felt as if I picked the right school to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I was nervous, sure, but it felt right to be on the mat and learning about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu history and techniques.

Two days go by and I head back for an open mat session. Some of the same people who greeted me before were already there warming up with smiles on their faces.

I share a smile and head nod and head to the changing room. I didn’t have a gi yet so I was wearing my shorts and a rash guard I picked up from a box store. I can feel some of the anxiousness in my gut return from just a few days before. I do my best to shrug it off and walk out of the changing room, most likely as pale as a Super Mario Brothers ghost.

I head for the mat and do my warm up, adding what I learned from my first night into my routine. Some teammates and I share some greetings and I notice I am the only one going no gi. I had not received my gi yet, and figured just showing up and watching would further my knowledge. Heck, I was a blank canvas when it came to Jiu Jitsu and wanted to immerse myself into it. As I am done warming up, I apologize to those around me that I don’t have my uniform just yet – I’m told it’s not a big deal and that I’ll get my gi soon.

A blue belt comes and grabs me for some roll time. We pick a clear corner and I take his lead. He shows me what is called a Kimura. I looked the move up after class and find out it’s a double joint arm lock, named after Masahiko Kimura. Masahiko used the move on Helio Gracie in a famous match; Helio was one of the founders of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Prior to being renamed to Kimura, it was called a reverse arm entanglement. Back to the mat, my partner talks about proper posture and how Jiu Jitsu is about leverage and technique not size and strength. He shows me how to sit in someone’s guard, and goes over some of the terms. He also shows me how to hip out – in this case – a move where you push your hips and hands as a way to create space when you’re in the guard position.

After about 30 minutes we go our separate ways and I grab some needed water and a moment to catch my breath. I meet a few more fellow teammates and have some short conversations. I go back to the mat and practice hipping out. I was having a hard time being agile like my training partner. Mostly due to the 150 pounds difference and my amount of inexperience. I know that if I don’t give up I’ll be able to move around much better soon enough.

I grab some wall space and watch the others roll. I look for any clues on how to improve. A white belt comes up and introduces himself. We slap hands, bump fists and he shows me some moves as well. Before I know it, an hour has passed and its time to clean up and go. I throw my sweatpants on and head to my car. It’s winter in New Hampshire and the thermometer in the car is already 3 degrees. I head home gulping down water trying to replenish what I lost. If I was going to stay in the game I told myself I’d have to make sure I got my water in. It was a long week but I love this stuff. Till next time.

May 11, 2015/by Renzo Gracie NH

Top 10 Reasons Why You Need to Attend the Ultimate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Seminar

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Blog_The Ultimate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Seminar

Maybe you’re a white belt and think this seminar is for higher ranking Gracie Jiu Jitsu practitioners.

Maybe you feel intimated by the sheer number of black belts who’ll be on the mats.

Or maybe you think you could never train with a Gracie…never mind five of them.

I get it. Really I do. Fear and doubt stop the best of us from doing things we think aren’t for us but really are exactly right for us.

If you are a student of Professor Kevin Landry, the Ultimate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Seminar is exactly right for you. Here’s why:

You’ll Accelerate Your Training

Maybe there’s a move or technique you’re struggling to master. Or maybe you’ve reached a plateau in your training and you feel stuck. Attending the Ultimate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu may help you push past your mastery struggle. It will infuse new ideas and ways to improve your training.

Improve Your BJJ Technique

Any time you get the opportunity to train with the best of the best, you’ll learn skills and techniques that you’ll be able to put to immediate use whether you train to compete or train to stay in shape.

Learn From the Best of the Best

Five Gracies. Enough said.

Rolles Gracie

Silver Medal, ADCC World Championship
No-Gi American National Super Heavy Weight Champion
No-Gi Pan-American Champion
3-time Pan-American Champion
Ranked #1 North America
Rolles’ list of championship wins doesn’t end there either!

Igor Gracie

4x Rio de Janeiro State Champion
2x World Championships Bronze Medalist,
Pan American Championship Silver Medalist
2x Brazilian Nationals Champion
US National No Gi Champion 2010
Black Belt Pan American No Gi Champion 2009.

Gregor “Gracie” Rangel

2x World Champion
Pan American Champion
Brazilian National Champion
2x Brazilian National Teams Champion
4x Grapplers Quest Champion
ADCC Bronze Medalist
No-Gi World Championships Silver Medalist
Pan American Silver Medalist

Neiman Gracie

Medalist World No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu championship,
Medalist Pan Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi championships
Medalist New York International Open IBJJF Championship.
He also recently won his first Bellator fight against Bobby Flynn on February 27, 2015.

Daniel Gracie

5x Brazilian National Champion
2x Mundial Champion
3x PRIDE Wins

Professor Kevin is Getting Promoted to 2nd Degree Black Belt

Professor Kevin has been training under Renzo Gracie since 1994. He has also trained alongside Ryan Gracie, Rodrigo Gracie, Matt Serra, Ricardo Almeida, John Danaher, Rolles Gracie, Igor Gracie, Gregor Gracie, Daniel Gracie, just to name a few.

FIRST Black Belt in the state of New Hampshire
Gold Medal New York Open Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championship

March 30, 2015/by Renzo Gracie NH

The Way of Gracie Jiu Jitsu: An Interview With Daniel Gracie

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interview with daniel gracie

Train to the level you want to reach…

Your team has your back…

The Way of Gracie Jiu Jitsu: An Interview with Daniel Gracie

One of the best things about Renzo Gracie NH Jiu Jitsu is that we get to experience the best of the best instructors. Not too long ago, Rolles Gracie was up for a weekend seminar and a few days ago, the Renzo Gracie NH team in Exeter had Daniel Gracie stop in to teach a class.

I had the honor of sitting down with Professor Daniel and chatting about all things Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

Let me tell you a little about Daniel.

Daniel Gracie is a 5th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has training academies in the United States, Brazil, and Japan.

In Brazil, Daniel trained under Carlinhos Gracie and received his Black Belt from him at the age of twenty-three. Daniel began competing in various city and state Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in 1982.

Beginning in 1994, Daniel competed in the Brasilian Nationals and in the Mundials. His submission grappling career includes two events in 2003 and in 2005.

In Japan, the Gracie family were regular competitors in the PRIDE events. Beginning in 2002, Daniel fought in four PRIDE events as a Heavyweight, winning three times. Daniel fought against some of Japan’s top competitors, each time in an arena with well over 60,000 fans.

In Europe, Daniel has fought in the inaugural IFC Israel Fighting Championship in Tel Aviv, Israel in 2010. He won by Rear Naked Choke over his opponent Martin Wojcik.

Listen in as Daniel talks about: