Trainer brings Brazilian beats to Brandon

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This article was published 21/09/2019 (2439 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Walking down McTavish Avenue south of 10th street, one will be greeted with the joyful and hypnotic sounds of drums and singing at the recently opened gym AR Training Centre.

The beautiful Brazilian beats draw crowds to the window, where they can watch athletes practise the art form that is Capoeira.

AR Training Centre, owned by Aron Ramalho, officially opened its doors on Monday and has Capoeira, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai classes paired with personal and group training.

Ramalho’s favourite class to teach is Capoeira — an Afro-Brazilian mixed martial arts that incorporates dance, acrobatics and gymnastics. While training, students work out as musicians play drums and sing.

Ramalho has been practising Capoeira since he was five.

Hailing from Minas Gerais, Brazil, Ramalho explained that kids tend to start either soccer or martial arts at an early age.

“I started soccer, but it was not my thing,” he said with a grin. “Martial arts is my thing, it’s in the blood.”

Ramalho has been training in Capoeira for more than three decades.

“I’m so happy to pass my knowledge around — I’m making people’s lives better.”

Ramalho has earned a red belt in Capoeira, a purple belt with two stripes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a black belt in Muay Thai. His jiu-jitsu master, Marcelo Ferreira, gave Ramalho his belt. His picture graces the wall out of respect.

“I’m offering everything for martial arts,” Ramalho said with a grin.

Ramalho has been teaching in the city for 10 years. This marks the second gym he has had. The original one was located in downtown Brandon.

However, it proved difficult to run because of the “sketchy” reputation the area has, he said.

“It was hard to get members down there,” Ramalho said.

He is pleased with the new location, and said it has proved a welcomed change for members.

“I’m very happy, there’s been a lot of crowds coming down,” Ramalho said. “A lot of people have already started training.”

He loves being a trainer and having the opportunity to help people be physically active while learning a new skill.

His gym is unique, Ramalho said, because it is a community, and the students help and encourage each other to find success on the gym mats.

He often sees generations of one family training together, explaining that he works athletes anywhere from five to more than 70 years old.

His kids Adriana, 8, and Davi, 5, are following in his footsteps, taking up Capoeira as well.

Age is only a number in the class, Ramalho said, explaining that everyone receives the same training and works based on their ability.

“It’s awesome to see how different ages enjoy the classes together,” Ramalho said.

He hopes to see people come out to his new gym and join in on the fun, he said, because one can feel the camaraderie between students as they train.

Melissa Chartrand has been training with Ramalho for years.

“It’s been awesome,” she said. “It’s great for all ages.”

She got into it through her son, who started taking martial-arts lessons with Ramalho, and her daughter trained in Capoeira.

The entire family now trains with Ramalho, she said, which is great because it brings them closer together.

It can be intimidating trying something new, but Ramalho is great at introducing students to new challenges, she said.

It is an amazing feeling seeing how quickly students can grow, get stronger and get better at sport when they stick to it, she said.

“It isn’t something that’s for everyone, but I think everyone should come out and try it,” Chartrand said. “You would be surprised at what you’re capable of doing.”

AR Training is located at Unit 1-601 Ninth Street.

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