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From the Mat

Training, competition, and martial arts insights

Long-form articles from Warrior Fitness Center on BJJ, Muay Thai, MMA, Kickboxing, coaching, and the culture of combat sports in Colorado Springs.

Your Training Partners Are the Product

Blog

Your Training Partners Are the Product

A martial arts membership buys more than instruction. It buys access to a room of people who can sharpen your skill, waste your time, or get you hurt.

July 14, 2026

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What to Do When Your Kid Wants to Quit Martial Arts

Blog

What to Do When Your Kid Wants to Quit Martial Arts

Most kids go through a phase of wanting to quit martial arts. Here's how to tell a rough patch from a real problem, and what to say in the car.

May 30, 2026

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BJJ Belt Progression at Warrior Fitness Center

BJJ

BJJ Belt Progression at Warrior Fitness Center

How the BJJ belt system works at Warrior in Colorado Springs, white through black, what each rank means, how promotions are earned, and realistic timelines.

May 28, 2026

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Classic Muay Thai at Warrior: What the Affiliation Actually Means

Muay Thai

Classic Muay Thai at Warrior: What the Affiliation Actually Means

How the Classic Muay Thai system shapes our striking program in Colorado Springs, Tyler Wombles' lineage, what we teach, and why it matters for students.

May 28, 2026

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Gi vs No-Gi BJJ: Which Should Beginners Start With?

BJJ

Gi vs No-Gi BJJ: Which Should Beginners Start With?

How to choose between Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a beginner in Colorado Springs, the differences, the benefits of each, and what most students do.

May 28, 2026

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Kickboxing and Muay Thai at Warrior: Two Traditions, One Combined Session

Striking

Kickboxing and Muay Thai at Warrior: Two Traditions, One Combined Session

Why Warrior Fitness Center teaches Kickboxing and Muay Thai together in one class in Colorado Springs, what each tradition emphasizes and how the combined session benefits every striker.

May 28, 2026

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What to Expect at Your Child's First BJJ Class

Kids

What to Expect at Your Child's First BJJ Class

A practical guide for parents in Colorado Springs whose kids are starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, what to bring, how class is structured, safety, and what kids will actually be doing.

May 28, 2026

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Why Incentives Shape Gym Culture More Than Values Do

Blog

Why Incentives Shape Gym Culture More Than Values Do

Gym culture is built by what gets rewarded, not what gets said. How incentive structures shape behavior on the mats and why toughness can become a Veblen good.

April 10, 2026

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Competition Anxiety in Combat Sports

Blog

Competition Anxiety in Combat Sports

A coach's view on competition anxiety, judgment, and how martial artists can handle pressure before tournaments and fights.

March 26, 2026

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BJJ for Beginners: What to Expect at Your First Class

BJJ

BJJ for Beginners: What to Expect at Your First Class

Everything you need to know before your first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class at Warrior Fitness Center in Colorado Springs.

March 19, 2026

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Muay Thai vs Kickboxing: What's the Difference?

Striking

Muay Thai vs Kickboxing: What's the Difference?

A practical breakdown of Muay Thai and kickboxing for beginners deciding how to start striking training in Colorado Springs.

March 17, 2026

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Benefits of BJJ for Military and Veterans

BJJ

Benefits of BJJ for Military and Veterans

Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu works so well for active duty service members and veterans training in Colorado Springs.

March 15, 2026

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The Economics of Combat Sports Part 2

Culture

The Economics of Combat Sports Part 2

A gym-owner perspective on why coaching quality, room culture, and athlete development matter more than surface-level hype.

March 13, 2026

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Tips on Holding Yourself Accountable

Blog

Tips on Holding Yourself Accountable

Practical advice for building accountability, training consistency, and better habits inside and outside the gym.

July 31, 2023

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The Economics of Combat Sports (Part 1)

Blog

The Economics of Combat Sports (Part 1)

A gym-owner perspective on combat sports incentives, competition culture, coaching quality, and long-term athlete development.

June 25, 2019

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BJJ Training Mentality Podcast

Blog

BJJ Training Mentality Podcast

A podcast conversation with BJJ professor Benjamin Westrich about training mentality, fighting, and life on and off the mats.

October 31, 2018

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Routines for Consistent Competition (Part 2)

Blog

Routines for Consistent Competition (Part 2)

How deliberate training routines help combat-sports athletes compete with more consistency and less guesswork.

July 16, 2018

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Team Doctor on Fighting and Mindset

Blog

Team Doctor on Fighting and Mindset

A guest post from Warrior's team doctor on motivation, pressure, and the mindset needed to face hard training and competition.

November 6, 2017

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Is My Gym the "Best"?

Blog

Is My Gym the "Best"?

A practical look at gym fit, coaching standards, training culture, and how students should choose the right martial arts room.

October 23, 2017

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How Am I Holding Myself Back?

BJJ

How Am I Holding Myself Back?

A BJJ coach's reflection on self-sabotage, training accountability, and the habits that hold martial artists back.

September 19, 2016

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Routines for Consistent Competition (Part 1)

BJJ

Routines for Consistent Competition (Part 1)

Why pre-competition routines matter and how athletes can prepare more consistently before stepping on the mat.

September 14, 2016

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Post-Competition Accountability: Having "The Talk"

BJJ

Post-Competition Accountability: Having "The Talk"

How competitors should process losses, judging, feedback, and accountability after a hard day on the mats.

April 19, 2016

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Are BJJ Competitions Required?

BJJ

Are BJJ Competitions Required?

A practical look at whether BJJ competition is necessary for progress, promotion, and honest skill development.

April 12, 2016

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Why the IBJJF Frustrates Me

Blog

Why the IBJJF Frustrates Me

A coach's view on IBJJF rules, competition incentives, and what grapplers can do to improve the sport.

March 28, 2016

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Advice I Needed at White Belt

Blog

Advice I Needed at White Belt

Practical white-belt advice on ego, training habits, consistency, and enjoying the early stages of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

March 26, 2016

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Return From Pan Ams

Blog

Return From Pan Ams

Competition reflections from IBJJF Pan Ams and how Warrior approaches preparation, training habits, and long-term improvement.

March 25, 2016

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