The TCG Pitbull

So here's the first of what I hope will be many pieces of art - I plan on designing logos and T-shirts etc. If all goes to plan I'll be getting some t-shirts designed and made, and will have them available for sale; that's the plan anyway...

Decided to give the TCG Pitbull a makeover - I know he's not perfect but I'm really pleased as it was my first attempt at using Illustrator. Many thanks go out to my friends in the art community for their advice during his creation. Let me know what you all think, and if you'd be interested in buying any t-shirts; I have some awesome ideas, just have to try and get them onto paper.

Andre Galvao's Drill to Win: 12 Months to Better Jiu Jitsu

RRP: £30.00

Andre Galvao’s grappling credentials are without question, so when you have the opportunity to learn even a small amount of what he has to offer, you should jump at the chance.

In ‘Drill to Win’ Galvao sets about giving readers a thorough understanding of the oft overlooked, but massively important, drilling in BJJ. First impressions of the book are that it is big, colourful and well constructed; this will take the abuse of being in and out of the gym bag, to and from class, with relative ease. A quick flick through the book shows that there are a huge amount of techniques, all backed up by beautiful illustrations and accurate instructions.

The book itself is very well written; it opens with a miniature, and refreshingly frank biography of Galvao and how he came to be the Jiu Jitsu phenomenon that he is today. It’s reassuring to know that someone who overcame poverty and chronic asthma became the multiple time BJJ world champion, and is now guiding you through your own journey.

The structure of the book is excellent. It begins with a comprehensive index (an often overlooked, but essential component) before starting into the structured drill program. The program itself is set out in days, weeks and months (as the title suggests, the book is meant to cover you for the next 12 months) with training taking place three to four days per week.

Galvao is realistic and honest when he informs the reader that the new drilling programme is not going to take the place of their usual routine, but rather, when used to supplement their routine they should see massive gains in their performance. As with all good programmes of this nature it highlights the need for improved diet; Galvao tells us that it is the foundation upon which the rest of his BJJ is formed. The book then sets about a course of effective drills, each chapter building on the skills developed in the last. Users can quite easily pick and choose drills to suit their specific needs, or to create their own circuit. However, to get the most use of the book readers should follow the book from cover to cover, in order.

In conclusion, the book is excellent and will become a valuable asset to any BJJ practitioner who follows it. The drills in the book are also substantially good for developing general health and fitness, alongside sport specific technique.

A very special thanks to the folks over at Victory Belt Publishing for sending me this copy to review.

GSP's Rushfit Feature

As I patiently wait for my copy of Drill to Win by Andre Galvao to arrive, that I will review, I have to think of something interesting to post in the meantime. I have decided that I will follow the GSP Rushfit program and keep you all informed of how I'm getting on, what I think of it etc. Having read some reviews of it there seems to be some pretty positive views of it - granted there is still an (understandably) large amount of sceptics who question the value of a home DVD program; but those who have actually tried the program seem to be impressed by it. I think keeping you all informed of how I'm doing also means that I'm now committed to it and can't just give up as I might have done otherwise! My first impressions of it are that it isn't as cheesy as many of the other home workouts out there, and seeing GSP perform to failure is definitely a reassuring sight that it can't be that bad.

That's all for now but I'll be sure to keep you updated


image copyright of gsprushfit.com

Bad Boy UFC 128 Shogun Walkout T-Shirt Review

RRP: £29.99

I came across the Shogun walkout Tee as I had been looking for some new MMA clothing, and it just happened to be during the run up to UFC 128. Generally, most of my MMA shirts are Tapout; I love the designs but am not entirely thrilled on the cut of them - I personally find them to be a little loose or baggy in the wrong places. However, I was looking for something a bit different and came across the Bad Boy shirt.

The Material

When the order arrived I checked the label (an old habit to make sure I've got the right size) and saw that it was only 37% cotton and 63% Polyester - I say only because I'm a 100% cotton man, and knew instantly that this shirt would be massively uncomfortable...or so I thought. I put the T-Shirt on and was massively impressed by how smooth and comfortable it was. I also wore it to an incredibly hot event that night and it kept me surprisingly cool.


Style

The artwork on the shirt is fantastic! The front is typical Bad Boy - a minimalist but eye catching design, and the back is simply brilliant. The design is very busy and has also been made to look distressed. I really like the green & yellow colours that appear on the shirt and I'm also a big fan of the little insignias on the sleeves. My favourite thing about the T-Shirt however is the cut of it - its snug around the arms, shoulders and chest (not too tight) but forgiving around the midriff (perfect for my physique).

Value

The shirt has been washed several times now and has not lost any of the colour in the design; impressive given that some of the design is black against a white material. The fact that it is printed using dye sublimation also means that the pattern won't crack like cheaper T-Shirts. It also isn't a bad price for an MMA shirt (especially compared to the likes of Affliction)

All in all this is a brilliant T-Shirt and I'd definitely buy something from Bad Boy again.