Martial arts
“if we must fight, we have no excuse for not fighting well.”
- TE Lawrence
Middle Ground offers Kickboxing and Judo for well-rounded fighting skills for fitness, self defense and competition. Private training for these arts as well Karate (Okinawan Goju ), is also available. Although fitness is an important factor in all martial arts, our goal is to teach people to fight and defend themselves with reliable techniques and realistic training. Classes are open to all levels, ages 16 and up. Students are expected to maintain good hygiene, and abide by the principles of mutual benefit and mutual respect.
There is no such thing as non-contact self defense training.
Self defense takes time to develop and regular practice to retain. A few workshops or cardio kickboxing aren't sufficient.
The best approach to learning self defense skills is ongoing training in martial arts/combat sports
with regular live practice (against meaningful resistance).
Interested in Fitness (non-contact)? Personal Training provides non-contact martial arts-based fitness
Interested in Self Defense or Competition? Kickboxing and Judo classes involve controlled contact and practice against resistance. These are absolutely essential elements in realistic self defense training.
We also host Staunton Kendo, Iaido and Jojutsu, which offers classes in Jojutsu (Japanese short staff) and Iaido (Japanese sword). Please contact them directly with inquiries.
In memory of Robert Miller
Class Descriptions
KICKBOXING
Our Kickboxing program integrates offensive and defensive skills from the striking arts and sports with a focus on self defense. Students learn and develop comprehensive striking skills from long range to clinch fighting through technical work, conditioning, partner drills, and rounds on the bags and mitts. Live sparring is open to intermediate-advanced students. Conditioning aspects rotate to improve endurance, power, agility, and injury prevention. All experience and ability levels welcome. This isn't "cardio kickboxing", but students can expect to burn 600-800 calories per class! Training involves controlled contact.
Required Personal Equipment (loaner gloves are available for a trial class)
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12-16 oz gloves, hand wraps
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Shin guards, mouth guard
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CLEAN wrestling/boxing shoes if needed, barefoot is otherwise required for kickboxing
JUDO
NEW STUDENTS WITH NO EXPERIENCE- must complete 4 weeks of Beginner Judo.
Its often claimed that most fights end up on the ground, but increasingly it seems to be forgetten that they all start on your feet. Judo is a complete grappling martial art and combat sport known for its powerful throws, takedowns and fast-paced ground work. Judo's techniques are ideal for taking opponents to the ground while staying on your feet, transitioning seamlessly from throws to pins and submissions, and defending standing holds and clinches. This combination of skills has made it a foundation for modern self-defense, MMA and BJJ. Classes include gi and no-gi variations of throws, standing grappling, newaza (ground grappling), and include live randori (Judo sparring). We train along the lines of classic and Freestyle Judo in order develop the full scope of Judo techniques.
Our Judo students have competed successfully in local and state level gi and no-gi jiujitsu and submission grappling tournaments, bringing home multiple gold and silver medals.
Judo involves body contact and falls. Students must demonstrate/learn good falling skills before participating.
Required Personal Equipment
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Judo or BJJ gi, clean t-shirt or rash guard
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Mouth guard recommended
KID's JUDO
NEW STUDENTS WITH NO EXPERIENCE- only accepted in the first week of the month.
Our youth Judo program provides instruction in fundamental Judo skills for kids ages 10-14. We require students to come and observe a class before signing up. Classes cover breakfalls and rolls, Judo throws and takedowns, and ground work (grappling/newaza).
Required Personal Equipment
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Judo gi, clean t-shirt or rash guard. BJJ gi not preferred.
SPARRING/FIGHT TEAM
By invite only, contact Coach Jason or Randy.
CONDITIONING
Fitness is an essential requirement for any martial art. These classes are designed to enhance endurance, power, speed, quickness, strength and recovery. Bag work, calisthenics, kettlebells, jump ropes, battle ropes, maces and clubs and more are combined in circuits that challenge every system of the body and promote mental focus.
OPEN MAT
Saturdays 9-11ish. Sharpen distancing, timing, targeting, attack and defense against resistance in technical drills and sparring. Participants can review the week's material, spar with combined striking, throwing and ground work, or drill specific techniques and scenarios. Class is not open to drop-in participation- participants need to be gym members or contact the instructor beforehand.
Required personal equipment depending on your focus:
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14-16 oz boxing gloves, hand wraps
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7 oz MMA gloves
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Shin guards, mouth guard, cup
CHINESE INTERNAL ARTS*
Taijiquan (Tai Chi), Xingyiquan, and Baguazhang are the primary arts studied and taught. We explore each of these in turn, and adjust the intensity of our training according to the seasons. Nei Gong (qigong) exercises are a foundational part of our practice. Taught by Grayson Pritchard of Blue Heron Healing Arts.
*Participation requires membership with the North American Tang Shou Tao Association.
"HE laughs last who hits hardest."
- jack dempsey
Personal Training
SPACE IS LIMITED! EMAIL US AT
MIDDLEGROUNDMARTIALARTS.GMAIL.COM TO INQUIRE
Kettlebells
SMALL GROUP TRAINING @ Tues/Thurs, 7 AM
Rock Steady
EXERCISE THERAPY FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE. Please contact us for more information.