If sticking to a fitness routine were easy, the streets would be filled with six pack sporting citizens flaunting their tightly toned physiques. Maintaining a fit lifestyle is even harder than taking that first step toward a healthier you. Few people can afford a personal trainer, and without that external voice providing an extra push, most lack the motivation to put in the hard work in the gym. Lifting weights or riding the treadmill eventually become so monotonous and boring that the inevitable happens: You quit working out.If sticking to a fitness routine were easy, the streets would be filled with six pack sporting citizens flaunting their tightly toned physiques. Maintaining a fit lifestyle is even harder than taking that first step toward a healthier you. Few people can afford a personal trainer, and without that external voice providing an extra push, most lack the motivation to put in the hard work in the gym. Lifting weights or riding the treadmill eventually become so monotonous and boring that the inevitable happens: You quit working out.

The amazing popularity of mixed martial arts has shown the general public a new way to work out. With fighters like George St. Pierre and Anderson Silva sporting chiseled, lean physiques, many people have decided to give MMA a try. Of course, your average

person doesn't want to be a fighter, or put in the four to six hours a day it takes to compete on a high level.

The good news is anyone can benefit from mixed martial arts training. Drills from wrestling, jiu jitsu and judo and the kicking and punching of Muay Thai and boxing will help build muscle, burn fat and increase coordination and flexiblility. The ever changing techniques keep your workouts fun and exciting and group classes can be a great opportunity to build camaraderie with training partners. Don't forget the other major benefit you won't get from the gym: self defense skills!

Get away from your boring routine and give MMA training a try. Most schools will offer a free class so you can get a sense of the instructor and other students. You've got nothing to lose except that layer of fat you promised to get rid of before summer!