Looking for consistency in training?
What were some of your struggles before you came to CMDA?
I believe that when I started with CDMA I wasn’t aware of any struggles I had. Since joining it was evident that what my training lacked was consistency. I was a regularly going to the gym but had very little direction on what I wanted to accomplish or why I was going, other than attempting to keep ‘in shape’. I believe that one of the fundamental things that have kept my training consistent is being able to set myself goals with the guidance of the instructors and CDMA and to accurately reflect on what I have achieved both in the short-term and in the long-term. The danger with training without direction is that your training plateaus, you become demotivated and ultimately stop training. The innovative and progressive training given by the instructors at CDMA have enabled me to avoid these pitfalls and enjoy the training week-to-week, month-to-month and year-to-year.
What made you contact CDMA?
Initially my contact with CDMA was purely by chance. They ran Karate sessions at the gym I was currently training at and my interest in martial arts encouraged me to give it a go. Ben Richardson was very welcoming, as were the other instructors, and I very quickly felt at home with the club.
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What are some of the significant results you’ve gotten from training with CDMA?
I have had some measurable results in the form of martial arts belts obtained and accomplishments within martial arts competitions, that I would not have been able to achieve without the training provided at CDMA, but for me the results go beyond the accolades and I have earned. The persistence in training, ability to overcome obstacles and having an adaptable approach to my training and learning, have been competencies which I have transposed over into both my personal and business life. These have proven to be valuable lessons and are evidence that the rewards gained through training have gone beyond my initial expectations.
What are the top 3 tips which helped you gain success at CDMA?
Persistence is progression – Without a doubt this has been a perspective that I have had to embrace. Everyone has bad days with negative thoughts but pushing through in spite of this has allowed me to develop further.
Be realistic with you expectations – I had an image of what I wanted to be and very high expectations of what I wanted to achieve. What I failed to look at the effort that others put in comparison to myself. Wanting to be like an athlete when you are not training like one is just not realistic. By starting to measure myself against my own progression rather than comparing myself to others allowed me to view my training more positively and more accepting of my own improvements.
Enjoy your training – If you don’t enjoy what you do you will not stick with it! Different training approaches work for different people. Don’t be afraid to try new things, train hard and make sure you leave enjoying the experience.
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What separates CDMA from other systems and gyms you’ve been part of?
For me, there have been two clear areas that for me have kept me training with CDMA and I have seen lacking in other organisations. These are Consciousness and Progression;
Consciousness – I like to understand what I do and why I do it and as such I like to ask questions. I like to train with people who feel the same way. I don’t always expect a perfect answer but I need to understand why I am being asked to do a certain exercise or technique. Whenever I have asked questions of the CDMA team they have always provided an informed answer. There is a reason to the training other than just working hard and I have not seen this understanding in other organisations.
Progression – At CMDA, more than anywhere else I have trained, there is always been one eye that is kept on progression. This is not just accepting the latest ‘fad’ training equipment but understanding new approaches and implementing new training methods that will benefit the students. They accept feedback from their students and have a real understanding for what works and what does not have the desired effect.