Rising Phoenix Health & Fitness, Labrador Primary School Hall/Turpin Road, Labrador

The trainers at Rising Phoenix are great; while we're all doing the Griffon program (or Little Monkeys for the kids) the training is tailored to best challenge and excite the individual. Classes are run Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and have a splash of casual mixed into the respectful martial arts atmosphere that makes communicating new goals, difficulties and directions a breeze. The trainers are flexible and responsive to feedback and give excellent value for the cost - far more interesting and involving than paying double or triple to slave away on a treadmill. The martial art system, Phoenix Arts, involves fitness and strength building workouts, the traditional forms and strike/kick templates, flexibility and body mechanics, two-person work - both standing and groundwork, and my personal highlight, the weapons! All students (whatever the age) train with the staff - six stunning feet of bamboo spinning goodness. It's a rather calming weapon to practice in and the staff tricks all look very impressive. The sword builds an agile strength and is a weapon which, to me, aids focus and attention the most. Cutting the air with a sword and making the blade sing brings the world around you into a much sharper focus, and shifts your perspective. The school also trains in double fans, which I'll leave off the running commentary, as it is a few gradings in. All in all this martial arts school exceeded my expectations - it is no stifling ancient art governed by unseen forces. It is founded here and is a unique, exciting and fun way to build strength and improve health and fitness. And no, I'm not being paid or coerced into saying this! I love the Phoenix Arts school and simply want to see it grow so I have even more newbs to pit myself against.