Joining The Blast was a great decision! I worked out at a health club for almost two years with little results. It was hard for me to motivate myself to go, and even when I did go, I wasn't motivated to work myself very hard. Nor was I having any fun. Looking for something different, I found my way to the Blast and started training in Muay Thai kickboxing and Jeet Kune Do. Martial arts are a ton of fun. It's physically demanding and intellectually stimulating. And the structure of the classes has helped me stay disciplined with my exercise routines. You have to be at class at a certain time, you can't slack off because people are watching you, most of the work is done with partners and you don't want to let that person down, and the instructors know whether or not you've been to class. I definitely recommend giving The Blast a try if you're looking for a new work out plan, self-esteem boost, weight loss, improved cardio, or a fun activity.

I initially joined The Blast by enrolling in Boot Camp, with the goal of getting in better shape. I had previously tried all kinds of training, including group classes, yoga on my own, weight lifting, and running, but nothing held my interest more than a few weeks so I thought Boot Camp would be a positive change in my fitness routine–and it was. The best part of Boot Camp, however, is that it introduced me to Muay Thai, which I practice now. Muay Thai workouts are fun, mentally and physically challenging, and teach me discipline. I really look forward to each class because the instructors are motivational and I can actually see progress in my skills and fitness level. And while Muay Thai has definitely helped me become more healthy overall, the greatest benefit I've gained is a new self-image and higher self-confidence!

Before moving to Madison, I would try to keep in shape by running and moderate weight lifting. I was in pretty decent shape, but not even close to my potential. A few weeks after moving to Madison (and not working out at all), I wanted to keep in shape by trying a martial art, so a friend suggested I try Muay Thai. I searched for a place in Madison, and The Blast came up. I was expecting an email back, but the next day, I got a phone call asking if (and when) I wanted to have my free trial lesson. I took it a few days later.

When I first arrived, I was a bit nervous but more excited to finally try a martial art. I met Mike, and did my free trial lesson. Despite it being much shorter, the workout I got from it was more intense than any I experienced in my years of running. I signed up a few days later, and was instantly hooked.

The workouts were amazing. Within a few months, despite having stopped running, I was in far better shape than I had been even while running several miles nearly every day. I even lost weight in those first few months! My confidence, discipline and good health increased. It didn't just stop there, though. Three and a half years later, the classes still push me to my max. The other great aspect is the personal aspect. I have made many friends from The Blast and I know I will make many more.

I am very glad I picked The Blast over the other results that came up that day. I still find it hard to believe a single phone call could change my life like that call did. I am in, by far, the best shape of my life thanks to The Blast!

I joined The Blast looking for some martial arts exposure while preparing for the Marine Corps Officer Candidates School and the experience has been everything I've hoped for so far. The skills I'm learning in both BJJ and MTK will be applicable for my needs in the future and the conditioning each provide are an awesome added bonus. Mike is a fantastic instructor and his well structured classes are a joy to attend every week. Couldn't ask to train with better people in a better environment!

I’ve been training at The Blast for approx 3 years and can honestly say it has been a life changing experience. Before I started, I had poor diet, exercise and life balance. Since joining, I have lost over 30 lbs and developed skills in Muay Thai Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and MMA. Unlike traditional gym memberships, I actually look forward to going to the Blast due to the fun and friendly competitive environment. The instructors are experts in a variety of martial arts, as well as fitness and diet. A membership here will improve the health of body and mind, and has paid dividends for me in all other areas of my life. I am a better person, father, husband, and employee at work as a result!

The Blast (Functional Martial Arts and Fitness) has provided an excellent atmosphere for me to learn multiple forms of martial arts and to learn more about myself. The philosophy of The Blast has been life-changing in terms of diet, fitness, and mental concentration and therefore it has been a tremendous value for the benefits received for the cost. All of the instructors are on time for classes, motivational, and consistent in their respect of all students whether an advanced member, child, or new attendee. Every week provides new training techniques and each “block” is finalized with a review of all the material covered in a very rewarding “belt testing”. I cannot think of anyone who could not benefit from attending The Blast!

I am a student of Mike’s and I have really enjoyed the past 2 years training and hanging out with the people at THE BLAST. I am on TEAM BLAST and have had 1 kickboxing match that I have won, and I plan on doing another one later this year. I partake in all of Mike’s classes. I enjoy learning about every aspect of Jeet Kune Do and I also like to compete in fight competitions.

I have seen the school go through a lot of changes since I have been there and they are all for the better. Where we are at now is a million miles from where we started back at Heroes Gym. I would recommend THE BLAST to anyone [since] there are all kinds of different classes for people to take. I am in the best shape of my life and I owe all of it to THE BLAST, because I love to go and work out and enjoy the company of the people around me. The training is second to none and I will never go anywhere else.

The first time I walked into THE BLAST, I was nervous and a little scared. My first class was Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and even though my big brother was there with me, the thought of rolling around on the ground with strange men was unnerving at best. Throughout the first week of class, Mike did an amazing job of making me feel comfortable and encouraging me. If he saw a hint of discomfort in my face, he would remind me that I should only do what I was comfortable with and that it was OK if I needed to take a break. The discomfort I felt during those first classes quickly faded as I got to know Mike and his team members.

For all the smack these tough guys like to talk, they’re all just a bunch of big brothers at heart. Everyone loves to challenge you and encourage you and help you become a better martial artist as long as you’re willing to get in there and give it a try. I have a lot of love for the people I have met at THE BLAST. They have taught me about humility, pride, and respect. I am an all around better person thanks to them.

Since joining THE BLAST I have become stronger, quicker, more confident, and thicker skinned. I have more energy, I have a better body image and the little things don’t bother me so much anymore. Now I just sweat them out in practice and turn all that tension into consumable energy.

#1 Set Goals

I know you have heard me say this a million times, so let’s make it a million and one. Successful people set goals!! Why you ask? Goals give you a vision of where you want to be and what you are working towards. If you have never set a goal before, it is simple. Sit down for 20 minutes and day dream about what you really want to achieve. Keep the goal realistic. Visualize it as if you were truly living it. Now, hold onto that thought and begin developing your vision, how you want to achieve the goal, what it will do for you. Set a reasonable deadline, one which allows for unforeseen obstacles that may develop yet a deadline that still forces you to work hard. Develop a plan for each week, adjusting for weeks where you see a lot of improvement or for ones which hold you up slightly. Keep making those weekly plans until you achieve the goal. You must stay intense through the entire process. Reaching a goal is not easy, if it were, more people would be successful and living their dreams. You must preserve and work hard, not allowing obstacles to stand in your way. To learn more about this method, I recommend the book Flight Plan by success guru Brian Tracy.

#2 Develop a Passion

Every successful person I have met or observed has passion for what they do. You can just tell by talking to them or reading their books that they love what they do because of every word they speak or write has a spark to it. Conversations with passionate people are enjoyable and usually inspiring. Some people are born with their passion and others develop it over time. If you are not already passionate about something, visualizing a dream or goal that may help build that passion, and once you get it, focus on achieving your goal so it will become a priority.

#3 Fuel the Body

Everyone needs to fuel their body, but to be a success you have to make sure you are running on all cylinders. I am not just talking about eating right, although that should be number one on everyone’s list because without proper nutrition, you won’t have the necessary energy to push through all the challenges that face you on a daily basis. I am talking about more than food, I am talking about fueling your mind with education and intellectual conversation, fueling your body with nutrition and physical activity, fueling your soul with family, friends, and fun. When I say fuel your body, I mean fuel everything from head to toe, inside and out. Taking care of yourself will ensure you are physically and emotionally able to achieve the goal you set to achieve.

#4 Renew your inner faith

Life is hard and at times you may feel like mentally or emotionally you are not all there. You may have picked up that bad habit you quit years ago, you may have stopped participating in an activity you once enjoyed, or maybe you are just stuck in a rut without a way out. In the fast pace life we lead it is easy to lose track of who we are and more importantly where we want to go. Don’t forget to take time out for yourself regardless of what is happening in your life. There is a time and place for what I like to call self meditation or ‘getting back into the zone.’ Self meditation can be different for everyone – for me it’s taking a run, hitting the heavy bags, training my dogs, or hunting, whatever helps me get back to me. For you it might be hitting golf balls, playing basketball, listening to music or anything else. Inner faith keeps you balanced and on schedule, without it, time and life will pass you by endlessly.

#5 Self Discipline

This is a topic that gets my blood boiling quickly. Being a martial arts/fitness instructor it drives me absolutely crazy when people have NO SELF DISCIPLINE!! I feel the need to Thai kick people in their cranium to help them realize they need SELF DISCIPLINE if you want to succeed! Your path in life is not always glorified, in fact it hardly ever is and most people won’t ever see your successes. If you are waiting for other people to recognize your success it won’t happen, so understand that now. To better yourself, you need to be self disciplined. You need to develop positive habits to change your lifestyle one step at a time, like taking a run when you wake up, making your bed, eating breakfast daily, reading a inspirational quote daily, saving a $1 a day and the list goes on and on. If you just do one of these things each day for 30 days you would be surprised with the changes you would see. Now turn those new things into a routine and you are on your way to a self disciplined better you. Successful people always talk about making positive changes in their lives, making them habits. To get on track with you self discipline, I recommend the book “Becoming a Better You” by Joel Osteen.

Take these 5 tips to heart and start your new and improved life today. This is what martial arts is all about, Self Improvement. Martial arts is a physical and mental tool to improve ourselves on a daily basis!

The girls thought the class was great. It was informative and fun. Megan was trying out the moves as soon as she got home. The PPP definitely made the girls more aware of the dangers around them and how to deal with them, even if they don’t remember all the moves perfectly.