Tim, I did a search on this discussion board for conditioning exercises, and while you mentioned the general ideas (variations on pushup abs work, kicks, squats, rolls, etc.), I guess the best way would be to learn what you do would be to visit your school. As I am on the east coast, that is not likely in the near future.

I was wondering if there are any good conditioning programs (book, dvd, etc.) that you could recommend? Also, in my search I turned up references to a book you were working on regarding internal power training: whatever happened to that?

Thanks for your reply

www.intocombat.com

www.rmax.tv

www.trainforstrength.com

www.crossfit.com

www.dragondoor.com

http://www.bodybuilding.com/

More than you'll ever need!!!!!

More......

www.maxcondition.com

www.mikemahler.com

www.dolfzine.com

If you bookmark these sites, read over a few articles from each site a day, you'll have more knowledge on conditioning real athletes than almost anyone you know.

Notice the common themes. Compare and contrast and find your own way!

One more......

www.exrx.net

I think This site is just about the only one you might ever need:

http://www.mattfurey.com/

The entire Combat Conditioning book and dvd set are pretty damn extensive, and consists of nothing but body weight excercises.

I think you just need the book. I plan to order this one in the next few weeks. There are more than enough excercises in it to last you a lifetime and all will build true natural power.

I've glanced at the book and many of the excersies have been in the xing yi program i am in for many years, but there are still some I haven't seen before and want to try.

I also like the authors attitude towards bodyweight vs. lifting weights. Although hes about as corny about self-motivation as everyone else.

I can't believe I forgot Matt!

You can buy the book and video, but here's an article from one of the sites above that will give you the meat of the program:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/mahler19.htm

It's good basic stuff. It's very expensive. It's stuff you can find free in the sites I listed. It gives you good GPP, but not SPP for fighting. Karl Gotch's video(wher Matt got his stuff from)is more SPP for fighting. It has some incredible stuff.

As Charles stated, for basic conditioning it's all you'll need. But as an athlete in MMA, you'll need more SPP.

Backarcher,

Thanks for posting the links.

Where can you buy Karl Gotch's video?

Sure, Tim! My pleasure!

The Gotch video is called "Conditioning for Combat Athletes". But I don't think Matt sells it any more. He had a ..."few differences" with Karl and they went their separate ways. Too bad!

Here's another link with great articles, reviews and actual training routines:

http://sfuk.tripod.com/reviews/furey_combat1.html

Explore... and find your own way guys!

Hi,

Tim, I have read on here that you primarily use bodyweight exercises for your own conditioning.

Do you have any students who have successfully incorporated weight training(squats, deadlifts,etc) into their training program? How compatible would you consider these types of exercises with internal arts?

Backarcher,

Thanks for all the links! rmax.tv has a ton of stuff, what in particular would you recommend?

Peter

I don't really like recommending things without knowing the person and working with them as an individual.

I don't know what your goals are.

I'd go on the forum, register and ask any question you like. You'll get most info just by reading the forum, questions others asked.

Generally, there is Warrior Wellness(Joint Mobility) Grapplers Toolbox Solo drills(a product that focuses on "core activation" and general movement on the mat or ground) and Clubbell training(Circular strength training). The other products get more specific.



I just want to say if you are a fighter...then you are an athlete. Not a priest, monk, or magician, but an athlete. Internal/external it doesn't matter. You are an athlete. Sports science has shown us the most efficient was to prepare for athletic endeavors. Each form of preparation is unique to the sport or activity.

Not being properly conditioned within our Physical Culture(flexibility, strength and endurance{aerobic or/an anaerobic}) is like having a great car, but not gas and no engine.

What the modern sports science field has learned is once you obtain your GPP or General Performance prep, you most then focus on training your "movement", not muscle. That is movement specific to your chosen field.

With proper knowledge and exercise selection you can train your SPP and GPP all in the same movements.

The shaolin monks were some of the greatest at training "movement" to become biomechanically efficient, it's just their(only my opinion)fighting method and "live" training wasn't the most efficient. I believe a Shaolin Monk could become an incredible fighter if they took their tremendous biomechanical proficiency and combined it with a tighter and more efficient fighting method.

Back to the original point, they still train "movement". They also uses weights, whether it's clubs or homemade weighted blocks or dumbbells or poles.

But they train with weights in relation to their movement.

If you want to see some authentic sport specific resistance training look up: "The Physical Body: Indian Wrestling And Physical Culture"
Here:
http://www.customflix.com/207195

You see how these guys lived to train and trained for their fighting.

In todays MMA, everyone already realizes than you need to know how to grapple on the ground, grapple and strike in the clinch and strike from a distance. Everyone knows the same things. Style is no longer a factor. Yet, the winning factor is most often "Conditioning". That makes the difference!

Big buff guys are becoming more and more irrelevant. True conditioning means, functional strength, dynamic flexibility, anaerobic and aerobic endurance, the ability to relax under pressure and the ability to avoid unneed muscle tension.

Even if you are just talking about a 30 second "streetfight", I'd always go with the best conditioned guy over a "master" who is out of shape.

Also, find what works for you. Don't do things you don't like. If you don't like running, there are many, many, many alternatives.Research! If you don't like barbells or dumbbells, there are many, many, many alternatives.Research!

Even though Sports Science is on the cutting edge, many people are still just doing what their instructors are doing.
Yet, many of the "old-time" training methods are very sound. In the old days, physical culture was about training movement and lots of "core activation" in complex movements.

Then came the "age of Arnold" and there was a bodybuilding craze that got people doing isolated movements, oppose to the complex movements. Now, we are coming back around. Why? Because of international competition. The best sports scientist are trying to develop the perfect athlete. In doing so, they discovered many current training methods were garbage, some of the older methods were still good and they have develop some entirely new methods for athletes. Remember when dollars are at stake, efficiency rises to the top.

So, in the end, research, find your own way and don't settle with mediocracy. Be a smart athlete, be a smart fighter!

David,

Some of my students lift weights. I think lifting weights is great as long as your overall training is balanced.

David,

While I am not even close to the expert that Tim is, just a bit of advice I picked up: if you do train with weights, take a week off every-so-often. When I take a week off from weights but continue my forms, etc., I can feel if I've been over-doing something. By taking a week off I realized my lower back was getting a little stiff, time to re-think about exercise selection, sets, reps, etc.

Tim,

Ironically, I just recieved a newsflash that Gotch's DVD has been reproduced. I forwarded it to you. I hope I got the right email. If you didn't get it, let me know.

Robert

Backarcher,
Got it, thanks.