Canuckles Mixed Martial Arts

Canuckles MMA is the first pure mixed martial arts academy to open in the city of Calgary. The club has grown from a small team in a small training facility to a large martial arts club with clients of all ages, sizes, and personalities.
The gym has a large matted area with a cage, a full weight training area, a full ring, punching bags, speed bags, exercise bikes, caveman exercise equipment, and much more! (pics and more details available on website).
I have been a member at Canuckles since December 2008, and I have many positive things to say about the club (and the sport of MMA as a whole). I will tell you firsthand that there is no other sport that will give you a better workout than the sport of fighting. MMA is an entirely different form of cardio. It’s not like other sports where you play for a quick shift, run up and down the field, and substitute for a fresh body. Nobody is fighting but you, and there are no breaks. You can’t take a timeout in the middle of a fight! Even if the tank is empty and you are running on fumes, you gotta get out of that car and start pushing! You also have to learn to stay calm and composed when all your adrenaline is pumping from the act of hand to hand combat. MMA involves everything, so you must learn the speed and skill of striking, as well as the art and complex technique of grappling. In this day and age, you must be well-​rounded in all areas.
MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world, yet it has gained a bad reputation through uneducated people and the media as being «a bloodsport», «human cock-​fighting», and «a sport that only skinhead white people are interested in». These statements couldn’t be further from the truth and I have seen many different benefits from people practicing mixed martial arts.
I have seen people come in to the gym overweight and unatheltic, and in no time at all, lower their weight and become in shape. It’s not uncommon for someone to lose 30 pounds in their first two months.
I have seen people walk in to the gym as pack-​a-​day cigarette smokers and just one month later kick the habit. It makes you realize how cigarettes affect your body at a time when you need every ounce of energy and air you can take. Some of these ex-​smokers are now some of the most athletic guys there.
I have seen kids that started out super shy and quiet and now, after training, are sociable and confident. Martial arts gave them the confidence to stand up for themselves and come out of their shell. It also teaches kids to never give up, to respect each other, to work and progress together as a team, and it dissuades them from wanting to fight in the street.
I (and I’m sure many of you are the same way) was very nervous about getting into mixed martial arts. It’s a big step to walk into that martial arts gym on your first day, not knowing what is in store for you, if you are going to get beat up, if you are going to be embarrassed, if people are going to want to be your friend… After all, this is a place owned by and full of cage-​fighters, and it can be especially intimidating if you’re by yourself. This is not the case at all! All of the instructors and team members at Canuckles are more than friendly, and because of the diversity of the team, there’s always someone new that you can work with. And if there isn’t, the more experienced guys are more than willing to lend you a hand. As long as you have a good attitude, you try your best, you don’t smell like shit, and you respect your teammates and coaches, everyone will welcome you right in! We all help each other and work with together, just like any other team sport.
So if you feel like getting in great shape, improving your body, learning the most practical form of fighting/​self-​defense, meeting some new people, or even fighting in the ring one day, Canuckles MMA (or any other reputable MMA gym) is a great place to help you reach your goals.