The pressure to achieve a picture perfect body is one of the causes of modern mankind’s anxiety.
These days, most of us are driven by all the best intentions of hitting the gym hard and meeting those lofty new year’s resolutions that are never quite fully honoured.
While looking good may be the goal, has anyone ever thought of exercise for the sake of being part of a group dynamic?
There’s something to be said for a social gathering that fosters your physical goals as well as a feeling of belonging. While you may not immediately think of martial arts, it’s certainly a good alternative for fitness and a sense of community.
Muay Thai, not to be confused with kickboxing, originated in Thailand and is known as the art that makes use of all four limbs in eight methods of contact: Kicking, kneeing, elbow strikes and punches.
Combat Club Windhoek is a Muay Thai training centre that incorporates the origins of open air training with music to accompany the adrenalin rush.
Trainer Pedro Costa, who owns the club, lives by the philosophy of introducing the martial art to all age ranges and to invite anybody to join in on this routine that provides a total body workout.
“The idea is that you want everyone to enjoy the weekly sessions as they will always have their own goals,” Costa explains.
He adds that people come for self-defence purposes, self-esteem and confidence development and sometimes to escape the pressure of everyday life, or simply for better health and fitness.
Costa was introduced to Muay Thai in 2007 in Portugal. He believes that the way for the art to grow is for each of his students to take it further themselves. “It would be an ideal dream if one of the members here can grow Muay Thai somewhere else in Namibia.”
Paulo Nunes is a fighter originally from Angola who competes at events.
“I heard about Muay Thai from friends, and I was trying to look for it in Namibia,” Nunes says. “I was first training in mixed martial arts (MMA) in Windhoek, and the MMA coach introduced me to Pedro.”
Another fighter, Abriu Ferreira, shares what got him into the sport: “I began training in 2017 and also got involved through a friend. I have trust in the coach and his teachings. When you are at the club, you feel relaxed and you can focus on enjoying the training.”
Michelle Stein, one of the female members, says she’s contemplating going pro.
“I joined in January, and I heard of it through a friend. I started for fitness reasons, but I have been enjoying it so much. At first, I wanted to get out of the house, but it has become such an enjoyable routine that I want to be here every day.”
Costa says he doesn’t have to know why people join and what their goals may be, as he thinks this is unique for each person. “I look at each person’s capabilities and we provide feedback to them as they train. People don’t have to feel insecure about themselves when they are here.”
In terms of anyone with previous sports injuries, Costa says that members usually indicate any past injuries or approach the trainers for assistance. “They come forward on what they can and can’t do.”
The club was started in 2016 with the help of Costa’s wife Sheila Martins, and they now have more than 100 members. They have joined the Namibia Kickboxing Federation and other affiliate organisations.
Combat Club Windhoek is located behind Ferreira’s Nursery and Hyper Motor City. The club has training sessions weekdays from 18h00.
