kick off
the new year
try mixed martial arts at Greubel’s to get in shape
martial arts for everyone: STEVIE dement, tonya dunaway, chris mcclain and Mark Greubel (clockwise from top)
I laughed when Mark Greubel suggested a martial arts workout to me. Sure, I know my way around a gym – but a mixed martial arts place? Maybe 20 years ago. These days, I couldn’t kick a frog’s butt without losing my balance. Mixed martial arts?! “We start at age 7 and go all the way up to the senior citizen range,” said Greubel, the owner of Greubel’s Mixed Martial Arts. “Ninety-eight percent of our people that train here don’t spar at all. They want to come in, get a great workout and learn some martial arts to be able to defend themselves.” While there might be a misconception that Greubel’s is merely for those looking to kick butt and take names in the ring – a rumor fueled in part by the fact that the two percent of Greubel’s members that do fight have not lost a local match since the business opened six years ago – it is the other 98 percent that keeps the doors open. “We welcome everyone from the whitecollar professional to stay-at-home moms,” said Greubel. “The first month is basically a transitionary period to go from couch-potato state to getting your body moving, learning how the mechanics in your body work and building your confidence and strength up slowly.” And how could the average Joe not gain confidence? Imagine getting training from a world class athlete without having to take out a loan. Greubel’s staff is made up of heavy hitters with major pedigrees in boxing, kick boxing, karate, jiu-jitsu, judo, muay Thai and wrestling. Though other schools might have one head coach or trainer with a similar background, Greubel’s has a mastermind group of coaches from which to pull knowledge and skill. “That’s why we offer a free month,” said Greubel. “I guarantee if you go try out another martial arts gym and then try our 30-day free trial, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t sign up here.”
If a free month of working out is not enough to get the average Joe to take a look around, maybe a few words from 42-year-old Greubel’s trainer and fighter Stevie Dement will. Dement was the oldest competitor in the World Association of Kickboxing Organization World Kick Boxing Championships in Dublin, Ireland, beating the Irish champion and receiving a bronze medal. “I get people asking me all the time where to go and learn martial arts,” said Dement. “I’m biased. I will pull for Mark every time but I tell people, and I mean it with all my heart, go everywhere else first and when you’re sure you’ve seen every one come to us. It’s going to be so head and shoulders above, so day and night different, it’s a sure thing to do. We’re the place to go.” So what have you got you lose? Kick off 2012 right and try a month – free – at Greubel’s Mixed Martial Arts and maybe this year you will actually be able to pull off that New Year’s resolution to get in shape that has been hounding you for years. Greubel’s Mixed Martial Arts is located at 2917 River West Drive, Suite 105, in Martinez. For more information, call 706.737.0911. GREUBELSMMA.COM by JOHN “STONEY” CANNON photos LEAH DESLANDES
vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 7