Mixed Martial Arts Mats - Pine Wave Martial Arts Testimonial

Starting at the age of six, Konsta Myrick has been training a wide range of martial arts disciplines over the past 30-plus years, which has taken a toll on his body as well as the bodies of his students at Pine Wave Martial Arts in Kansas City, Missouri. But that all changed in 2017 when he began training on Greatmats interlocking judo jiu jitsu mats.

A Myriad of Martial Arts Disciplines

Myrick began his training in 1987 in Chung Do Tae Kwon Do and is currently a 5th degree black belt with Master Instructor Certification.

Next, he studied Goju Ryu Karate and expanded his training to include Shotokan and Sho Lum Te Karate Styles working his way to a sixth-degree black belt in Karate-Do - also with Master Instructor Certification.

He also trained extensively in boxing, kickboxing, kali and Gung Fu, earning the title of Sifu in the Art of Gung Fu.

The Need For Proper Martial Arts Flooring

Pine Wave Martial Arts began in 2006 as a program at the Cleaver Family YMCA where martial arts students could practice everything from Shotokan and Goju Ryu Karate to Jiu Jitsu, Kobudo, Kali/Escrima and practical self defense. Over the years a need arose to move the program to a separate location that allowed for more classes per week and fewer distractions.

That’s when Myrick opted to upgrade his dojo flooring to include Greatmats 1.25 inch thick martial arts puzzle mats.

“I chose the 1.25 inch puzzle mats (in 2017) because of their thickness and cushion,” Shihan Myrick said. “I wanted to save not only my ailing joints but also those of my students who had been training on hard flooring for a number of years with me. I like the size, look, and ultimately the feel of the mats when executing techniques and moving at a fast pace. I am more inclined to stay after my own class and work out now as opposed to before when I would just go home and workout after.”

After experiencing the difference the mats made for his training at the school, Myrick decided to also outfit his home gym with the same mats.

“These mats were a true life and health saver,” he says. “I no longer have ankle pain after class, and students do not wince anymore from running on hard flooring. I can concentrate more on technical execution and not worry about how my foot will feel when it hits the floor. They are easy to clean and have excellent traction once the initial oil wears off.”

Konsta Myrick

Pine Wave Martial Arts

Kansas City MO 64114