thePULSEComing to a Gym Near You
By Bobby Hankinson
Tom Cruise, Lucy Liu, Uma Thurman – each actor can kick some serious butt on the screen, but it all seems a little too much don’t-try-this-at-home for the average movie-goer. If you lust after the toned tummies of the action heroes and heroines, results may be more realistic than you think. Whether you’re fighting crime or fighting flab, you too can kick and punch like the stars with celluloid-inspired workouts.
Before Jet Li and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” martial arts were already leaping off of the screen and into Western workouts. Kung-fu reached new heights of popularity with the Bruce Lee films of the 1960s and 1970s. Since then, there’s been an all-out explosion of new and exotic forms of exercise practiced around the globe and popularized by movies that brought them to the masses.
For those who like their workouts with a little edge, the Samurai sword training Forza is perfect to keep your body looking sharp. Italian for strength, Forza combines Kendo and Aikijujitsu styles to help shape the upper and lower body and build strength. Forza’s seen a recent surge in popularity since Uma Thurman tore through 88 assassins (as well as several other bad guys) in Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill.” Don’t worry about any extra danger, though, the swords used in Forza are made of plastic.
If you prefer your simulated combat hand-to-hand, then maybe Powerstrike will suit your fitness needs. A hybrid of karate and kickboxing from the same creator of Forza, Powerstrike is a fierce combination of calorie burning and self-defense. There are many different types of Powerstrike classes ~ including impact, kicks and self-defense driven “on guard” ~ so even the most novice martial artists can jump right in. If you want to see what Powerstrike looks like, pop in the new “Charlie’s Angels” flicks and watch Drew, Cameron and Lucy kick butt in a similar fashion.
Not all the hot, new fitness trends, however, are inspired from the East. Capoeira is a fast-paced Brazilian style that mixes dance, martial arts and acrobatics. There are two styles: Angola, which focuses more on the tradition of Capoeira created by African slaves in Brazil during the colonial period, and Regional, which stresses technique and strategy. The aim of Capoeira is not to hurt your opponent, but to show more skill. “Only the Strong” (1993) is the quintessential Capoeira film, but the style has appeared in several recent films including “Mission Impossible: 2,” “Ocean’s Twelve,” and “The Rundown.” Capoeira’s influence is not limited to film, as many of its moves were incorporated into the creation of breakdancing in the 1970s.
In contrast, Krav Maga is all about laying on some serious hurt. Originally intended as a military combat system, Krav Maga, or just “Krav” for short, was adopted by various Israeli military services. The civilian classes taught throughout the U.S., however, omit the killing techniques taught to the military or the holds taught to police. Translated from Hebrew as “Close combat,” Krav still focuses on self-defense today. Jennifer Lopez picked up the style in her film “Enough” to fight back against her abusive husband. If you’re looking for a workout that’s all about keeping the combat realistic and practical, Krav Maga could be perfect to help you feel a little safer walking home at night.
There are countless other styles out there, so check gym class schedules ~ or, better yet, check the video store or add a little something to your Netflix list..
