Urijah Faber visits David Lubin School The retired mixed martial artist champ to open gym in East Sac By LANCE ARMSTRONG Lance@valcomnews.com
Surrounded by a large crowd of young students at David Lubin Elementary School in East Sacramento, recently retired mixed martial artist Urijah Faber spoke about the importance of fitness and his plan to open a new gym on Folsom Boulevard. Faber, who spent 14 years competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is a pioneer in the sport, won the World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight championship in 2006. But Faber, an East Sacramento resident who understands the importance for athletes to be fit, emphasized a need for everyone to keep active and exercise. “It’s not just about being an athlete as far as a career, but being active is good for you in a lot of different ways,” he said. “How many people feel good after they have recess? Well, there’s a reason for that. When you work out and you eat healthy and you choose healthy lifestyle choices, your brain is making things that make you feel good. It makes you feel happy, your bones are getting stronger, your muscles are getting stronger. So, I’m always encouraging you guys to eat healthy, be out there and be active.” As part of Faber’s Jan. 27 presentation at the school, he held a push up contest for students. Following the contest, Faber said, “Everybody has the ability to be the winner, if they put their mind to it. I just wanted to let them know that the mentality is the biggest part of anything.” And in furthering his ongoing efforts to encourage people to maintain active, healthy lifestyles and to build both their bodies and minds, Faber will relocate his 11-year-old business, Uriah Faber’s Ultimate Fitness, to 6700 Folsom Blvd. this March. Faber said that the move represents a major expansion from his current location at 1705 I St. “We’re revamping and having a bigger facility,” he said. “It’s going to be two and a half times the size of the current gym. So, we’re going to do all sorts of mixed martial arts based classes for conditioning and just technique. We’re also going to have general fitness classes like TRX (Total Resistance eXercise) and yoga, and high intensity training.” The new, 20,000-square-foot facility will also include dry saunas, an outdoor area and unlimited parking. Faber mentioned that the new gym will also serve as home to Faber’s team, Team Alpha Male. “We have some of the best fighters on the planet, the current UFC world champion Cody Garbrandt, UFC superstar Paige VanZant and a whole host of up-and-comers who are professionals in the sport that are representing for Sacramento,” he said. “We’re creating an environment that is uplifting and it’s motivating. You’re training alongside some of the best pros in the world.” Faber said that his gym is a place for people of all ages, including kids. “It would be exciting to get these kids in here, too,” he said. “That’s something we really want to focus on in this new gym is providing a place for the
Photo by Lance Armstrong
Urijah Faber speaks to students at David Lubin Elementary School on Jan. 27.
Photo by Lance Armstrong
Urijah Faber congratulates the winner of the push up contest.
community to bring their kids and be a part of the energy that’s there.” David Lubin Principal Richard Dixon said that he appreciated Faber’s encouragement for kids to be interested in fitness. “Our focus is science, technology, engineering, arts and math, and we think rigorous mental activity goes hand in hand with physical activity,” he said. “So, to hear him share with our kids the importance of that, the importance of nutrition, a balanced life, to realize your potential, that’s what we want to push at our school. “(Faber’s visit) is the kind of thing that can make a difference in a child’s life, so it was a privilege to have him out (at the school).”
East Sacramento News • February 16, 2017 • www.valcomnews.com
Photo by Lance Armstrong
David Lubin Elementary School Principal Richard Dixon spends a moment with retired mixed martial artist Urijah Faber. Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.