BoxerScott

Really? What style of Aikido do you take? In Iwama Aikido they start you off the the Bokken right away then the Jo, atleast 2 sessions a week are focused on weapons. Our instructor explained that it helps with balance, focus, movement, and a number of other factors that apply Aikido.

Well, I'm not Kensai (hopefully he'll tell you too), but I have been taking Aikido for a couple of months now and find it mildly physical. What I mean by this is that some aspects don't require a lot of physical movement (heavy cardio stuff) like the different techniques, but then you have to account for the falls and rolling, and the weapons training (Jo and Bokken) which can get somewhat intense.

You might want to continue to bulk if you think your too thin (then again some people like to stay thin). Usually cutting depends on your commitment (sticking to the diet, cardio, and workouts) and the biggest factor: Genetics. I'll admit I can't give you a definite estimate, its all based on you. However, you will probably start to see the faint outline of the top Abs after a few weeks.

Until you get the results you desire.

Some heavy rap songs that have a strong beat

It's nearly impossible to increase your wrist size, sorry, this is where genetics take over... Click here for some Forearm Exercises The most effective (that I have seen results from) are the barbell wrist curls and the reverse preacher curls. For abs info read my 6-pack abs thread...

Here is a link to a forum that can help you accomplish this, lots of good info on bukling there: The BodyBuilding Forum Just look under Nutrition and Workouts.

Start a Bulking Diet (High Carb,Cal,Pro,Fat), heavy lifting workout, and little to no Cardio exercise.

Yeah, get off the Junk food and do more cardio and weight training, this will give your abs the "Cut" (sticking out) effect rather than just merely being visible.

I recently started taking Aikido and I'm loving it. I suggest you try both classes and choose the one that appeals more to you. Most martial arts take awhile to truely learn (however, Aikido takes a little longer), but by truely I mean getting to a point where your continually "in the zone" (or connected with your "Ki") and you can react in dangerous situtations on instinct rather then thought. What I am trying to say is that you can use Aikido after you start taking the classes, you don't have to wait years before it "all of a sudden comes" to you. Heck, I have already taken a few classes and feel comfortable with one or two techniques (but I have to think about them before I use them as opposed to instinct). There is also the spiritual aspect of Aikido, but thats another story. You are right, in Aikido you mainly wait to be attacked, but then again, thats why Aikido is devastating for self-defense. Let me add, Judo is not bad either. I might be taking a Yudo (Korean Judo) classes in the near future (to cross-train). Do which one you like the most!

Thanks for your contributions guys (And corrections The_Ryno)! If anyone has some more/other info to contribute, feel free to post it!

So summer is coming and your stomach is looking a little flabby... Well, I have some instructions and tips to point you in the right direction to obtaining those Ripped abs! What doesn't work First, all those products and "as seen on TV" gimicks don't work, so don't waste your money. Abs are the result of hard work (and yes, you have to work for them). No special 'elctro-vibrate-belt', 'super-cut-abs-shake', or 'ultimate-abs-machine' will help develop your abs as fast, stong, and well as what I am going to tell you... Genes: Alright, lets talk about Genes for a minute. Genes are the basis of who you are. Simply put, it determines how fast you acquire ripped abs, and the general shape they will have (have you ever seen a guy with lop-sided abs... well its genetics). But don't worry, even if you have 'poor' genes, you can still achieve they abs you want (it might just take a little longer). The first step: The first step is deciding you want the abs, without will power there is no way. Remember, its your body, you have to live with it, so if you cheat, your only cheating yourself. Be patient, all good things take time (sorry, there is no such thing as 5-minute abs). You make your goals and only you can achieve them. Cutting: In order to get those ripped abs you need to be in a Cutting cycle. Let me clarify what this is for those of you who don't know. There are three cycles that you use when bodybuilding/scuplting. They are: Bulking - Which means you are putting on the muscle mass. Maintaining - Which means you are staying the same. Cutting - Which means your are trying to define/sculpt your body. It is not possible to Bulk and Cut at the same time. This means you acn either be putting on the muscle or defining it, not both. So, if you want those abs then you must Cut. If you feel that you want more muscle mass before you Cut then I recommend going on a Bulking cycle first. Its all about what you Eat: Proper nutrition and food intake is the key in achieving the 6-pack. Why? Well, it's simple, there is a layer of fat covering your abs. The dynamics of this are centered on the issue of your Bodyfat. Generally, if you have a bodyfat of 13% or less, then your abs will be visible. What does this mean? This means you already have a 6-pack, but it can't be seen because of the fat. This is where the abs differ from your other muscles (remember, there is no bone behind the abdominal muscle). Think of the abs as a pack of meat with strings tied tightly across (producing the 6-pack), now, picture a bridge of fat pulled over it, what is the result? No visible six-pack. This is why Cutting is essential. Knowing what to eat: Here is a chart that tells you the appropriate levels of intake (cal/carb/fat/pro) you need while Cutting: -->Click here to see the Chart! Now, after looking at the chart (and understanding it), you are one step closer to setting up a proper diet. Here are the general guidelines for a diet: - Remember to eat 6 meals a day spread out (3 hours). This usually consists of a big breakfest, a snack, lunch, a snack, dinner, a snack. - Make sure you keep track of what you eat (keep a log). Maintaining your Cutting level of intake is important. - Say "NO" to all those greasy, fast food, sweet, candy-like foods. We all know they taste good, but the hinder your development and only set you back. - Don't starve yourself, your body needs the proper amount of intake levels listed in the chart above. (Why? Because if your body runs out of Cals to burn, its starts to burn muscle [called catabolism], and this is bad) Cardio: The next key step is Cardio. You must do cardio in order to burn off the fat (since most fat is located in the abdominal area). Again, this is why proper dieting is essentail so you don't end up losing muscle instead. Cardio can range from any number of activites including walking, jogging, swiming, boxing, intense martial arts, basically anything that gets your heart-rate into your target range for atleast 20 straight minutes. Proper Cardio sessions are as follows: - Cardio should be done atleast 5 times a week for atleast 30 minutes (usually longer). - Drink plenty of water, its your fuel! Weight training: Weight training is the last key part in getting ripped abs, however, weight training is grossly over-used. Most people are wrong in assuming that getting abs come from a lot of abs exercises. FACT: Abs exercises only streghten your abdominal muscles, it does not make them visible. This is why you can see the same people at the gym every week doing 'intense' ab workouts with no results. Well, if you follow what I told you above, you will be able to obtain them! Facts about Abdominal weight training: - You should only work your abs for a total of 30 reps per exercise. - You should only work your abs 3 times a week Why those parameter? Because yes, you can over-work your Abs which will eventually cause you to do more harm then good. Abdominal Exercises: There are certain exercises that work to strengthen your abs, and others that are only myth and do not help (is some instances worsen). Such is the case with the "sit-up". The sit-up is one of of the biggest Ab myths out there. Doing a full sit-up does not work your abs, it works your lower back. Another is the "Russian Twists", although they might help with development, there is a greater chance of twisting wrong and injuring yourself. Exercises that work: - The crunch: This is the purest form of an Abdominal workout. - The incline crunch: Another good abs exercise. - Leg Lifts: Works the lower Abs. - Side Bends: Works the obliques. - Kneeling pulldowns: Works the upper Abs. - Abdominal rolls: Gets in the full extention. There are a number of others, but these are some good soild ones to starts. Remember to switch a few of the exercises everytime you workout in order to further work your Abs (doing the same exercise for a long period of time dosen't do any good after awhile). Also, add weight to increase the resistance (think about it, would you bench press with no weight on the bar, of course not, so why do the same with Abs). Okay, those are the basics of getting a Ripped 6-pack. Commitment, and Willpower are all you need! Good luck!

Then I guess you know more than licensed fitness professionals and instructors ... I will make a thread later on how to achieve a 6 pack for those interested. And yes, it is diet, working out your abs (it only strengthens the ab muscles) is completely useless if you have a layer of fat covering them (this means you can't see them).... You also have to do a lot of cardio to get your body fat down into the 13% range....

Both... A proper workout should last no longer than 45 minutes. I generally workout 3-4 time a week, 45 minutes (workout at my gym) then rest 2 hours and go do 2 hours of MA at my dojo.

Kensai (if you happen to read this) are you a members at the Aikiweb forums?

Are you doing full sit-ups or just crunchs. Why I ask is because Sit-ups only strengthen your back, while crunchs are the ones that focus on your abs. Also, getting a 6-pack is 90% what you eat and 10% working-out the abs. I'm not sure if tieing a rope will do damage or not. I depends on how hard you tied it. I don't believe it would do any serious damage if it was somewhat loose

I have to agree with what the others are saying. Belts = Nothing Its more based on what you know, and what you know can do. Someone told me once that Belts don't show expirence, they only show the money you payed for them.

Sorry, your absolutely correct.

Bagua Zhang or Pa Kua Chang (all the same) is one of the three internal chinese styles. Bagua relies heavily on "circle walking", snake-like movements and palm strikes. It is the opposite to its counter part I Ching, which believes in a straight line as opposed to a circle. Both styles are very amazing. Make sure your teacher is legit though.

Thanks for the info so far guys. Basically Law Enforcement/Self Defense By effective I mean being able to result in control of the situation or person through violent/non-violent martial arts. I know, thats the sad part. I follow Thanks for the info about Law Enforcement tactics, very true and insightful. To use analogy in order to illusrate what I am getting at, let me Para-phrase: Cars, in an aspect, are much like martial arts. Everyone has a favorite type of car, not everyone agrees with everyone else. Import people generally dislike Domestics and vicea-versa. So you can bet, opinions are not impartial. But, what I am trying get at is the following: There was a study done by a notable source a few months ago (by a major car magazine) that ventured out to find "The best car" of 2003 (Domestic). They took the Viper, Corvette z06, and SVT Cobra (Mustang). Now, anyone will tell you the the Viper is the fastest of the three because the Viper boasts a massive 500hp. However, the test to find "the best car" didn't target just speed, it included all the other various aspects of performance. By narrowing their goal and expanding on the means they decided to looked at: speed, fastest 0-60/0-100, off the line (traction), handling, turning, shifting, response, and many others. Well, guess who won in the end. The Corvette came in first (with only 405hp), the Viper in second, and the Cobra last. Now, what does all thia have to do with Martial Arts and the top MAs. Well I am basically looking for a similar test done by notable sources targeting the best (such as in situations of Enforcement/Self-Defense). Many people believe that there is no such list because people are generally not impartial, but I would beg to differ in saying that there must be one out there. Not everyone is corrupt... Thanks for all the help thus far!

Either contribute or don't reply. I'm not asking for anyone's personal opinions, I am asking for proven tests done. Why? Not because I want to take 'the best martial arts style in the world!!!!1!11!' but because I'm writing an article and need sources to back up fact. Any help would be appreciated, but if your going to post to ridicule then don't reply. I know, thats why I'm asking you guys. If it were easy then I would'nt need help. I have heard that different tests were done (by police forces and the like), I am trying to find info like that. Thanks...

I am looking for links to real case studies/tests done reputable sources that evalutate and list the most effecitve martial arts styles (I know there out there but I can't find any). I think someone mention one done by the police force? Anyone know where thats at, or any others? Thanks...

Hi all, I'm currently boxing (for fitness) and I have been taking Aikido (more for the spirtual side/non-violence). However, I want to start taking a more offensive martial arts (maybe drop the boxing or box less). The only other dojo in my area offers a Yudo/Hapkido combination (I can't really find any info on what Yudo is besides the Korean version of Judo). Anyways, my question is, is Hapkido/Yudo a good combo?