Home Of Champions!

XTC is proud to be the HOME of Erick Lopez, NAGA Champion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Alexander Enriquez, So Cal State Champion in Boxing.  Here at XTC we make, build, mold and create Champions.  Stop by if you wish to be part of this amazing training facility.

A Champion is Created!

Alexander "The Great" Enriquez

FIGHT NIGHT with Alexander “The Great” Enriquez.

It’s another Sunday afternoon. The gym is closed, and as we turn the keys, all three of us know we’d rather be at the beach, at the park, or eating cheeseburgers. But like devout churchgoers, we are here.  For my brother George and I, it is a Sunday ritual to train our fighter Alexander “The Great” Enriquez.

He is about 125 pounds, quiet, serious and has never fought; all reasons people might assume he is paltry. At first, I wasn’t sure if his unassuming nature was a form of arrogance or respect. I couldn’t read those green eyes of his. But as time went by, I learned he has the heart of a lion and the determination of a wolf.

“How are you feeling?” I ask him.

“Good,” he responds, and I nod. 

We all know where we’re going and somehow not just for the day. Alex steps on the mat, I rush to the office computer to see what the NFL is doing, and my brother puts on some coffee. The Pats are winning, the air smells like caffeine and I soon hear the familiar tick tock tick tock of Alex’s jump rope.  As seconds wind up to minutes and the bells of the timer bob and weave into our ears and subconscious minds where the stillness is - I believe we make time move.

Stiff jabs rip the air, introductions to combinations of hand movements bound by fists, followed by graceful angles of cutting and moving that have us lost in the paradoxes of blind mirrors and shadow boxing with no shadows. The slip ball, lateral movement, sit ups, pushups, bag work… his warm up.

Eventually I get off the chair and put on the gear. I’m getting too old for this, but I want to give him some good sparring. So we step into the ring.

“Don’t hit my head. I want you to do only body sparring” I tell him - as I’m still feeling the pain of a car accident a few months ago. He nods. I lift my shirt and show him a bruised rib and hip, courtesy of yesterday’s training session and his left hooks.

 “I’m coming for you, cause of this,” I tell him and put on my gloves. “I’m gonna knock you out.” He smiles that freaky mouth piece smile. My brother readies the camera. We record it and my brother points out our errors afterwards on the TV, while we deplete the boss’s supply of waters and peanuts.

“Don’t throw punches you know won’t land!” “Keep your hands up!” “Look at me in the eyes!” “Don’t circle into your opponent’s power!” we pop off instructions. We bark out praise and criticism. I punch his face. We do this for 18 minutes. 

He listens, he implements and soaks up every word the way canvas soaks up blood on fight night. After this, he will run three miles on the treadmill. I push him as the wheels spin, eight miles an hour, then ten miles an hour, I put him on full inclines that reach in and try to rip out his lungs. I stand still next to the machine, but chase him worse than a hound chases a fox or a ghost a live soul - till he almost falls off.

“If you fall off, you will break your arm or your foot, and your six months of training will be for nothing” I tell him as he limps dangerously close to falling off the treadmill. He tries to tell me he has a cramp, but he has no air left in his lungs. The treadmill is hurting his insides, but I am sure he is doing the same thing to it; all his sweat, puddles and pools, fall on this machine rusting up its bolts. He will break it someday, or at least that’s what I tell him.

Fight night is Friday. “Friday, Friday, Friday” I say like it is not a day on the calendar but the end of the world. “You need to hurt this man.”

Our first fight was cancelled, as our opponent got cold feet. Three weeks later we drove over an hour to a gym, but were not put on the card, and now it is finally here. We have a scheduled fight for sure.

“Are you nervous?” I ask him. “Yes,” he tells me, and I admire him for his honesty because I was nervous the first time I fought.  “That’s OK,” I tell him. “I want you to be nervous. You eat eggs in the morning, to gain power for training, and a few minutes before you step into that ring, you will eat the nervous and you will have power for winning.” He nods. He listens, he soaks up every word.  My brother starts talking to him now. He teaches him combinations and secrets of the sweet science, something I watch play out in front of me, over and over and over and over.

I won’t describe all of Friday to you. Not the way I lived it anyhow, for it would take too long. But I will tell you Alexander’s family is there. A few diehards from the gym are there. We are there. And Kobi Julian – the owner of XTC gym – is there. She smiles proudly and I catch her admiring “her fighter.” I give her a thumbs up as we plan where we are going to film our fight from. 

The night is electric. Somebody has already been knocked out; he beat the count, argued with the ref for stopping the fight, and then stumbled towards his corner - before collapsing on his face, untouched; doctors rushing to see if he is OK.  

After three bells, Alex lifts the trophy, and he looks at us and smiles - the biggest smile ever. He exits the ring and is hugged and kissed by all who love him. He doesn’t want us to cut his wraps off, not yet anyway. He is 1-0 now and wants to savor this moment like a glass of wine.

Later as he sits in the car, still with his hands wrapped, he asks my brother “how did you know I wasn’t breathing?” My brother smiles and pats his head. “Take the day off tomorrow, Sunday, we will do it all over again.” And we do.

Since writing this article, Alex is now 2-0. He won his second fight by TKO in the second round. If you have ever wanted to compete, or simply learn how to box, please come and inquire at XTC gym.

XTC GYM 2131 Colorado Boulevard Eagle Rock CA 90041-1221

info@xtcgym.com    +1 (323) 259-9009

 By: Evangelos Giovanis

Embrace Optimisim

Why does optimism matter?  Because if your future looks rosy, being happy in the present is easier.  Beyond the simple reality that optimists are happier people (and happiness is what you are striving for), optimism has other benefits as well:


* Optimists enjoy a greater degree of  success than pessimists do, because they believe they can achieve it, therefore they make smart decisions, and work harder to get to it.

* Optimists tend to set more specific goals than pessimists do.  The more specific and concrete your goals are, the more likely you will be to achieve success.  For example, if you need to loose weight, set attainable goals, 2 lbs a week is more achievable and getting there is easier, than a pessimists who needs to loose 50lbs and believes there is no way I can do this in one month.  This is mathematically and physically impossible. 

* Optimists are more self-confident than pessimists are.  They believe in themselves more than fate.  They do not look for the "magic pill".

* Optimists persist and persevere.  They are not quitters!  They schedule their workout routine, they don't leave it to " I will get to it later attitude".


* Optimists welcome second chances after they fail more than pessimists do, because they expect to achieve a better result the second time around. If they miss one or two training sessions, they make sure they make it up ASAP.  If they cheated on dessert, they substitute more healthy foods for the next few outings.


* Optimists cope with stress better than pessimists do.  Pessimists worry, optimists act.  A person with coronary heart disease who is pessimists "hopes for better health".  The optimists heart patient leaves a little to chance and starts an exercise regimen. 


So at the end, being optimist will get you closer to your happiness in life.  And if your health/fitness level stops you from being  happy, join a fitness program that suits you and make sure you consult your physician in advance.

The Art of Capoeira

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chegado and I have been training the art of Capoeira for 14 years, each of us stumbled upon the art in different ways but stayed for the same reason, it is truly a captivating art.  It is an art form that challenges you physically and intellectually.  Each person that trains Capoeira is drawn to it for their own specific and personal reason, it develops  your rhythm, strength, agility, reflex, as well as your musical, acrobatic and dance skills.  But for most, it is the history, the tradition, the cultural and the profound sense of community that are sticking points. 

Capoeira is the art of survival, with a history that dates back more than 500 years to the slave trade in Brazil.  It was and is an art of empowerment, a celebration of the African roots in Brazil; from the music to the movement it tells the story of a people oppressed, enslaved and later liberated through their strength and will.  

We made the decision to pursue the art form professionally because we believe Capoeira is a vehicle for positive change and cultural enrichment.  The art form promotes diversity, understanding, creativity, health, and discipline for youth and adults alike. Northeast Los Angeles is a vibrant and eclectic community that appreciates and searches out cultural diversity in the arts and we are blessed to have found our home here.

 

 

Why Fitness Is So Important When You Have Cancer

Why Fitness Is So Important When You Have Cancer

By: David Haas

Struggling against cancer can be an extremely draining experience- mentally, physically, and emotionally. The diagnosis itself can come like a punch in the gut, and the treatment can leave you feeling fatigued, anxious, or depressed. The good news is that there are things you can do to help. Getting in shape is one. The cancer and the treatments for it are only one factor in how you are feeling. Science is telling us that our fitness level has a greater impact on our energy levels, mood, and overall health than was previously known. Let's take a look at just a few of the benefits that come from adding regular exercise into your treatment regimen when you are battling even a serious cancer like mesothelioma.

Mood Boost

Exercise boosts energy levels. One of the ways it does so is by reducing levels of a stress chemical in your body called cortisol. Cortisol is usually referred to as the "fight or flight" substance. It is there to put your body into danger mode in the case you are confronted with a highly stressful situation like a fight. Anxiety raises cortisol levels. But it isn't good to constantly feel anxious and places an additional burden on your already stressed body. When you exercise, cortisol levels are reduced and the anxiety you were experiencing is replaced by feelings of calm and contentment.

Energy Levels

Another reason to start exercising is that you will increase your energy levels. A common complaint heard among cancer patients is lack of energy. The treatments help with the cancer, but healthy cells are also affected. Fatigue can be alleviated through regular exercise. Of course, there will be a short period of tiredness immediately following your exercise. But over time, it pays off in the form of increased energy levels throughout the day. Your investment in exercise will pay dividends and allow you to get more done, in spite of your illness.

Increased energy is usually seen soon after beginning an exercise plan. And if you should miss a few days, you will definitely notice it in terms of reduced energy. Make a commitment to exercise and you won't regret it.

Better Sleep

One often overlooked benefit of exercise is improved sleep. Your body wants to active. You will sleep better and longer when you exercise regularly. Studies have shown that people who regularly exercise experience better sleep and less daytime fatigue. Your body desperately needs that sleep to heal itself. You will also be less irritable and have more energy when you sleep well.

Do make sure, however, that you get your exercise in several hours before your bedtime so that you don't have trouble falling asleep afterwards.

Happiness starts with a healthy body!

              

   Happiness is an important part of life-no less than anger, sadness, and fear.  It begins with life itself: what mother does not recognize the look of happiness on the face of her newborn? Human beings are wired with an innate, neurological potential for happiness, but whether this potential eventually becomes a reality depends on how we choose to live our lives.  In other words, happiness isn’t an accident, and it isn’t a gift from other sources- it is the gift you give yourself!

                 

                  If you are like the majority of the population, you are far too passive when it comes to experiencing happiness.  You wait for it to find you instead of exercising your right to pursue it.  It is because most people are passive when it comes to happiness that happiness seems so elusive!  Face it: We live in a proactive world, people don’t wait for freedom- they fight for it.  Wealth is no longer something you inherit- you can create it.

                

                 People are living longer now days.  Why? Because we are learning that we can improve the  quality of our life through the everyday choices we make.     Being healthy and staying in shape does not come in a bottle any more.  You need to make a conscious decision to be active and exercise regularly at least 30 minutes a day five days a week.  Jump on the XTC wagon and  make the best decision of your life and see how fulfilling and happy your life will be when you are healthy and active.

Weight Mangement Program!

There is nothing more fulfilling than being healthy.  Staying healthy requires a great deal of commitment.  Here at XTC we are launching a new Weight Management Program that emphasizes on Mind, Body, and Spirit.  We believe if you can control your mind, the rest is easy....we provide the coaching, the training and the nutrition for you. 
However, there is a great deal of responsibility rests on your shoulders, you must make your first move.....We have a better suggestion, studies show when two people join an exercise regimen, they are both most likely to finish the program as one is accountable for the other one.  Get a friend who will motivate you, and both will benefit from this great program. We promise you won't regret this....this would be the best investment you have ever made.  Check out our website for the update on the program.

MMA is happening at XTC

Xtreme Training Center is the place you want to be to practice mixed martial arts in Los Angeles. XTC offers MMA training so that you combine your skills into this popular sport. MMA helps you utilize your strengths in a strategic and combative manner. Mixed Martial Arts is a combination of Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Tae Kwon Do, strength and conditioning. This intense workout will help you challenge your skills and excel.

Dorien Tharps is the head trainer for MMA here at XTC.  He has successfully maintained undefeated record as a member of  California Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Organization, Inc.  He is planning to take a few of our clients to their first fight soon.  He teaches techniques, sparing and conditioning, three days a week and the other two days clients train for Muay Thai.  He has so much to offer to the MMA world.  We are happy that he is part of XTC.