Wear It Pink October


I started running pink early October wherever I go.

In this essential month of October, we have launched programmes to spread awareness in conjunction of Pink October Breast Cancer Awareness. Our main highlights was to promote self-defense among ladies. On the 21st. October we held a free Kickboxing class for our customers at the Hammerfist Fight Club to promote health awareness on breast cancer. To pay respect for the breast cancer survivors, we showed support and care by wearing pink on that day. We limited the number of participants to 20 people as the fight studio isn’t that big. Many people showed up more than we expected and most importantly, they were all in pink! Frankly, we could not not help feeling a little bit moved to see how dedicated the supporters were that day. Kudos to people who care!

Here are some pictures of our participants showing their pink spirit.

Sisters standing up for each other. We gotcha’ back sis!



Having fun learning self defense with our trainer, Benny.


Give up or give it all you’ve got! We chose the latter.

Here are some short clips of us giving our best in spite of zero experience in kickboxing.

We highlighted our pink coloured products and encouraged our customers to share their post on instagram wearing pink to show support through social media.

Amin Sports Hijab in fuschia. Riada Nahl in pink.
Tron 2 Ultra Top streaked in hot pink.
Our dear customer, Azzie Mohd showed support wearing full Nashata items in pink.

Until the end of the month, even our founder, Eliza Noordin portrayed endless support by wearing pink Heather Floral Top during participating a marathon in Jakarta.

In a nutshell, though October has come to an end, Pink October spirit will always live in our hearts. Hats off to the breast cancer survivors! Our thoughts and prayers will always be with you heroes.

Kickboxing: The New Fitness Workout

Self-defense awareness has been widely spread globally. This is specified on women whom men look at as a very easy victim of their wrong doings. In the previous blog post, we’ve already talked on self-defense majoring in Taekwondo. Since I’ve been joining Kickboxing Class for a month, I’ll share with you my experience joining this stand-up combat sports class.

WHAT IS KICKBOXING?

Kickboxing is a type of martial arts that is based on kicking and punching. Kickboxing focuses on everything from cardio conditioning to self-defense and martial arts. Anyone who wants a perfect total body workout would enjoy this type of sports as it requires the whole body movement.

WHY KICKBOXING?

Initially, the only intention why I joined kickboxing was to just fill in my free time, meet new people, plus it’s located within walking distance from my office. The training place is called HammerFist Fight Club, Cyberjaya. As I started to watch the kickboxing lessons, I was friendly-asked by the trainer, Benny, to join the class as a free trial class. I wasn’t ready but on second thought, it’s now or never. So, I decided to join and for the first time in my life I’ve never felt like drenching in my own sweat.

With the coaches, Benny (left) and Ravshan (right)

Gearing up

Outfit wise, it’s better to wear comfortable clothing which is not to tight (so it won’t block your blood circulation) and not too loose to allow full movement in the arms and legs during training.

My fav outfit for kickboxing – Hooda Ellipse Sports, Ultra Top and Riada Active Pants

These are the gears I used when training:

Hand wrap bandage for extra protection

Bandages – Hand wraps are generally worn underneath the gloves to help support the wrist, fist and knuckles when training. It serves as an extra protection inside.

A Pro Training Glove of 16 oz

Gloves – The most essential gear during training. It protects the hands and provide some protection to the opponent against your hit force.

Shin guards – Shin guards are usually only used for training purposes. They are compulsory for amateur kickboxing bouts, but not always during professional play. I’m an amateur so I’ll be needing it.

 

Warming Up

Before we start the core lesson, 15 minutes warm up session is a must to loosen up the joints, increase blood circulations by increasing the heart rates and that’ll make you less prone to injury and will make your muscle easier to stretch whenever you’re striking or training. Basically, we start from head to toe; turn heads side to side and up and down, shoulder rotation, body stretching, and jogging and sprinting in circle.

Here are few clips of getting-fit workouts I’ve managed to share:

Cardio Workout – Legs toning

Battle Rope Workout – For arms, shoulder and abs toning

The Core Training

After the warm up, the best part begins; The Core Training. Here, I learn the basics of Kickboxing movement: Jab, Cross, Hook, Uppercut, Front Kick, Side Kick and more to go.

Here are some clips of training I did:

Jab and Cross Training

Jab, Cross and Side Kick Training

WHAT I GET FROM KICKBOXING

  • A lot of things gained from this training which I only thought it’s all about self-defense. I used to have a very low self-esteem which always keeps me holding back from what I want to do in life. Not anymore, kickboxing class has changed me a lot. During training, endorphins, a natural booster are released which boost up my self-esteem. Along the training, it helps me to stand tall and improves my self-confidence.
  • The ability to use different parts of the body together really improves my focus and coordination which I needed the most (especially at work).
  • It’s also a fun and faster way to burn fat. At least I get to prevent those monotonous routine of gym boredom. Kickboxing has the added benefit of including an exciting and unusual cross-training element to your normal workouts.

     

    “It’s an incredibly efficient workout. Kickboxing alone burns about 750 calories in an hour,” says Sammie Kennedy, CEO and creator of Femme Fitale, Ontario’s newest women’s-only kickboxing and mixed martial arts program (MMA). “Add in jump rope and conditioning drills, and you could burn anywhere from 750 to 900 calories in an hour.”

     

  • The good thing about this training is because it’s one of the ways of releasing stress by releasing those pent up frustrations with a high-energy routine. As my concentration levels improves, it also enables me to focus on stressing less.

Not much of things to share as I am just a newbie. I hope you guys get the idea of what kickboxing is. Maybe you guys should try it too. Better try than just wondering, it could be the best sports you’ve ever engaged in. Thanks for reading! 🙂

Credits:

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/fitness/benefits-of-kickboxing-for-women/