Health & Fitness in Stafford

The expert instructors at Zion Mixed Martial Arts & Fitness believe that students can pursue the principles of fitness and sound personal defense at any age. Under the watchful eye of their gi-clad sensei, kids as young as five learn the underpinnings of Brazilian jiujitsu, building their self-confidence more effectively than replacing their glasses with a visor that reads "you're a champ!" on the inside. Older students often continue their study of jiujitsu, or expand their self-defense arsenals by branching off into kickboxing and mixed martial arts. Those just looking to shed a few pounds can enroll in the center's targeted training programs, which are dedicated to weight loss and body sculpting.

Herbal poultices, warm oils, and energy balancing aren’t the tools of a typical spa, but at Santhigram Kerala Ayurvedic Center they’re a primary defense against stress and discomfort. The doctors, one of whom has studied ayurvedic medicine since childhood, take a holistic approach to health and happiness. They use herbs relied on by the ayurvedic method for thousands of years and believe that the natural remedies without side effects can help assuage a vast range of medical and emotional concerns. Traditional treatments include pouring thin streams of warm oil onto foreheads to reduce stress, opening pores with steam baths, and producing giggles with acupressure massage.

Sheepdog Tactical Training, LLC's NRA-certified instructors—including an army veteran and a retired Special-Forces sergeant major—share their expertise in firearm safety and self-defense skills with an array of classes for all levels. At their facility or a convenient location for students, the teachers introduce or help build upon techniques for handling pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Both in the classroom and on the shooting range, they cover subjects such as grip, trigger control, and advanced-fighting skills such as apologizing. To cater to varying comfort levels, they administer private lessons and lead women's-only classes.

After playing football at the collegiate and professional levels, Chris White earned his ACSM certification as a health-and-fitness specialist. He puts this experience to use at Fit With Chris, where—along with his fellow trainers—he helps clients shed pounds and lead healthier lives. Some of Chris's fitness services include personal training, group boot camps, and custom meal plans.

The trainers at Natural Talent Martial Arts and Fitness collectively hold more than 45 world titles. Armed with competition experience and years of training, they introduce kids and adults to the core values and principles behind martial arts. Beginning with students as young as 3, they offer kids karate classes that focus on cementing combat techniques while also instilling respect, honor, discipline, and self-respect into each pupil. They train adults in mixed martial arts and fitness kickboxing, and also hold Zumba classes for fitness-minded fighters.

Sometimes it seems that timeless movies and holiday meals are the only way to simultaneously entertain three generations at once, but CrossFit Caveman adds a third activity to the mix: going to the gym. There, certified coaches engage entire families in fun workouts, scaling movements to suit everyone from grandparents to 3-year-olds. Each CrossFit routine incorporates exercises modeled off of real-life actions: pushing, jumping, running, and changing a monster truck’s tire, for example. Students master these techniques during introductory sessions before reporting to mainstream classes that hone their form and tone muscles through weightlifting, gymnastics maneuvers, and calisthenics.

Owners Sharon and Ray welcome clients of all sizes to their "cave." They and their staff—which includes sports enthusiasts, a Navy drill instructor, and a CrossFit Havoc Strongman competitor—push their students to achieve milestones that once seemed incredible, such as completing a series of chin-ups or using a kettlebell for something other than a parking-space saver. In addition to their regular curriculum, they host classes for kids aged 3–12, as well as sport-specific regimens and women-only sessions.