Rich67

That's a good way to build up stamina. If you keep at that program, you'll be running a good distance.

Sano, you're posting on the wrong forum. Try this: https://www.prowrestlingisfake.com or https://www.dontcomparethewwftomma.net There you can talk all you want about your allegiance to roid ragers like Goldberg and the like.

This is right on the mark. I know why people have the fascination. It is almost a "macho" thing to do, since someone feels tough at telling everyone how he punches slabs of concrete and can plow his fist through a car window and emerge without a scratch. First of all, you can "condition" your knuckles all you want. Punch walls, punch into sand, etc. ad nauseum. But the bottom line is, if you have ever punched anyone in the face, you will mess up your hand. Whether it be cutting the flesh or breaking the bones, you will injure yourself. Punching bone and teeth is a lot different than hitting a cinder block. If you really want to simulate hitting a human head, glue shards of broken glass and nails to the cinder block and punch away! In the original UFC (pre-gloves) guys were pulling out of matches due to hand injuries. And you can't tell me a lot of those guys didn't condition their knuckles through years of training! I am not bragging here, so don't take it the wrong way. I did knuckle pushups for 10 years, broke boards and broke cement blocks. I think I had pretty tough knuckles. But when I idiotically punched away at a car window because I was mad one day, I chipped a bone in my knuckle and cut my hand up real bad. And when I got into a couple fights, I seriously tore my hand up from hitting teeth and jawbones. No amount of conditioning will prepare your hand for that. Skin is very fragile. It's not like in the movies: you can sock a guy in the kisser all day, and walk away unscathed. And arthritis is no laughing matter. Not everyone gets it. And why hasten the process?? Why get arthritis at 40 because you wanted tough knuckles, when you could have got it at 70 without going through all that? I am telling you this because, unlike years ago, I consider myself older (and maybe wiser) than I was in the past. It's not effective to "condition" knuckles. Regular training will do that just fine.

Very well put. My sentiments exactly.

Thanks for the reply, it did not take me 10 years to earn my black belt; I have been training in TSD for 10 years total. It took me 8 years to earn the belt. I agree with you that you never master the art;and that the belt is the beginning. Perhaps my dojo was more stringent, but most of the black belts I trained with took about 7-8 years. It seems real short to me; 3-4 years. But everyone's learning curve is different.

I just wanted some opinions and want to generate a discussion. What's everyone's feelings on young kids (I'm talking 8 thru 12 year olds) being given black belts? At what age do you think that a person should be a black belt? Do you think there should be a minimum age requirement for obtaining a black belt? If so, why? Just my opinion: I see a lot of dojos handing out black belts to 9 and 10 year olds. I honestly think that is too young. Call me old fashioned, but I think a black belt is more than just a colored thing you wear and show off to impress others who see you in the dojo. I think a black belt should be given not only on judge of skill, but also on mental maturity. I saw many youngsters wear the black belt and they were actually cocky... and I'm talking kids 10 years old who thought they could whoop anyone's butt. I also saw the same kids get their clocks cleaned in sparring matches with red and green belts. It bothered me, since I think it's a reflection on the instructor and dojo if their black belt kid goes out there and loses to a lower belt in a tournament. I realize that martial arts have become "commercialized" and geared toward younger students, but I still think the black belt needs to maintain it's sanctity. I received mine when I was 17, and I worked at it for 8 years, 3-4 times a week. From some of the posts I've seen, some people are saying a black can be obtained in 3-4 years. I find that ludicrous. I have trained actively in TSD for 10 years, and on my own for 10+ years. And I still don't feel as if I have mastered the art. I am always trying to improve, take other styles, etc. It almost seems as if the black belt has lost it's true meaning.

Natural (it seems like you and "Practice is the Key" are close pals?? ), but if your finger is stiff, blue, and you cannot bend it, I'd have to say: A) It's broken B) It's dislocated C) It's severely sprained. Either way, you need to see a doctor immediately. Discoloration may mean either a bruise or even lack of proper circulation. Lack of movement means bone, muscle or ligament damage. If you DONT get it properly treated, you may lose the full use of the finger! It's foolish NOT to see a doctor!

I agree, a poor instructor can cause problems down the road. However, in your case, I think that your problem lies in the execution of your technique. Now, I'm not well-versed in your style, but it seems like your injury is due to repetitive hyper-extension of the elbow joint. It may also be due to calcium spurs in the joint. I'm also curious, does your elbow hurt? If all you hear and feel is the grinding or popping and there is no pain, then some other minor problem may be amiss (not permanent). The sound you are describing sounds more like calcim deposits or bone spurs in your elbow. The only person who can make a good diagnosis is a good sports-medicine doctor. Watch the elbows and knees. Hyperextension can cause serious problems... both repetitive and single use damage can be rough on the joints. Good luck, and sorry to hear about it.

If you are "hardening your fists" purely for discipline-related reasons, go for it. Otherwise WHY? Have you ever actually hit anyone in a real fight with bare knuckles? Your knuckles and hands will get cut open, regardless of how you "condition" them. Bone against bone or bone against teeth contact has a tendency to cause flesh to split and tear. I have scars on my fists from some of the fights i've been in; and I did knuckle pushups for 10 years, and broke many boards. I have chipped bones in my hand before, and that puts a damper on training. Best policy is, avoid the fight when you can. If you can't avoid it, then learn to grapple. It's easier on your hands, and it also helps you avoid getting arrested once the fight is over! Trust me, you'll make your hands ugly, prone to arthritis, and you could do worse damage in the long run. I really messed up my hands, and trust me, it's not worth it.

If you ar overweight, then here's a good deal for you: one day, do a complete all-body workout. I do pushups, dumbbell presses, curls, squats, and tricep extensions. I do all those exercises, one set, without any rest in between. At the end of that group, I rest for a minute and light stretch, then repeat it 2 more times. This is more like an aerobic workout than an anaerobic one, even though you are using weights. second day, I do cardio. A 10 minute stretch followed by 30 minutes of any cardio you like. As long as you finish drenched in sweat, you did a good job. My week looks like this: 1) Weights 2) Cardio 3) Rest 4) Weights 5) Cardio 6) Rest 7) Light weights and light cardio (or rest, depending how I feel) I lost 20 pounds in 3 months doing this, and have about 10% bodyfat. I also watched what I ate, and avoided sweets, breads, and excess carbs.

Thanks for all the votes and replies, guys. Just trying to generate some good conversation on here.

What better way to earn a different color belt on the forum faster?? Just post as much as you can in as many areas, regardless of content, and there ya go! Oh yeah, and to answer the original question: many styles teach that weight distribution in a good fighting stance should be 60/40 (the 40 being the front leg). You can sweep anyone that stands upright. You just have to use the right technique. Just going in and sweeping blindly usually does nothing. You have to go in, follow through on the sweep, and accompany it with a move that causes the opponent to lose his balance (lapel grab and push, or just push, or etc.) Sure, if you try to sweep the front let of someone who has 90 %of their weight on the back leg...DUH it won't work!! They just pick up their leg and smile. But if you are watching a guy in a wide and evenly distributed stance and you sweep either leg, chances are he may fall. In TSD, we are taught a close, shoulder width, 60/40 fighting stance. You don't fight in the same stances you do your katas in. I don't see how anyone can fight effectively with a 50/50 wide stance... they deserve to be taken down, then!

just curious to see everyone's reason for walking into their first dojo. For me it was a way for my parents to keep me out of trouble and give me self discipline! Actually, I saw some Bruce Lee movies and thought, "I wanna be like that!"

While there are some true sportsmen in the UFC (Randy Couture comes immediately to mind), there are some people that seem to be opposite of what a true martial artist should practice/behave like. They are rude, obnoxious, foul- mouthed, and cut regularly on other fellow martial artists not only out of the ring but in magazine articles (Ken Shamrock on Royce Gracie, for example). Some look like thugs and gangsters, and act like they rule the world. Do you think this is giving martial arts in general a bad name, or do you think it helps the exposure? Are these slams are just part of the act? Or do you think they show a lack of the martial arts code that many of us strive to attain? Personally, I like to watch them purely for the competition and tactics. I could care less how they act, since I don't care for those fighters anyhow. But I have the utmost respect for the Gracies and for Couture.

It looks good; I'd throw in other things. This is my workout: DAY ONE: Chest, shoulder and triceps. DAY TWO: Aerobic (or at the dojo) and ab work. DAY THREE: rest DAY FOUR: Back, Bicep, and trapezius work. DAY FIVE: Aerobics (or at the dojo) followed by leg work (squats, dead lifts, lunges, extensions and leg curls) and abs. DAY SIX: rest DAY SEVEN: rest, but a light all over entire body workout at the dojo. Rule of thumb: When you do squats and heavy legwork, your body will be systemically fatigued for quite some time, even if your muscles are no longer sore. Take an extra day of rest if need be. I only train body parts 1x a week, but I'm also older (36) and my body isn't what it used to be. You younger guys can probably throw them in 2x a week.

Let's delve into what people think the definition of a MARTIAL ART is, shall we?? Boxing is a SPORT. I answer that with confidence, since a martial art is an art form that is practiced and established in the MARTIAL way. The martial way is a warrior way of living. The terminology is meant to imply that one lives as a warrior, with honor and self-respect. It means that you learn about self-respect, self-discipline, and control. This is achieved in some dojos by meditation, learning the language of the style you have taken, and training with others you consider friends. You learn to treat others with the same respect you expect to receive in return. But if someone threatens your peaceful way of existence, they better be prepared for a can of whoop * to be promptly opened. Martial arts teach a warrior code, a way that one can have peace with oneself while also being a hidden warrior. A sport deals simply with the technique, delivery, and exercise. The mental aspect of a sport is developed as a RESULT of the training and sport, not TAUGHT to the practicioner. In other words, a boxer or hockey player is not taught that he needs self-discipline or respect before undertaking his sport. Anyone can put on a pair of gloves and go to the gym 7 days a week and work on the medicine ball, speed bag, spar, etc. or pick up the stick, learn to skate and shoot a puck. MARTIAL arts are a much deeper PHILOSOPHY if you will. TKD is NOT A SPORT. IT IS A FRIGGIN MARTIAL ART. It has roots deep in ancient history and teaches a philosophy. Boxing, although it has a lush history, may be considered an fighting art form, but it is in no way MARTIAL. I found this link; it is very interesting...read it. http://home.stny.rr.com/iama/whatis.html

I never get sick and tired of hearing about people who have contributed so much to the martial arts world. The Gracies actually helped conceive the UFC, and as a result we have the MMA competitions of today. They also introduced the world to a variation of traditional JJ, and showed that it is highly effective. That in and of itself has generated a lot of layperson interest in the arts in general. I can't stand the people who talk smack about the Gracies, and in the same way I can't stand the BJJ folks who ridicule all other arts. It's real simple: respect those who positively contribute to the martial arts. Anyone who talks negatively about any practicioners who are positive has no business studying the arts themselves. I have noting negative to say about any MA. They are all terrific in their own right. They all give self-confidence, fitness, and discipline to anyone who undertakes them.

that's not true. You can overtrain. Symptoms include: 1) high blood pressure 2) excess fatigue and restless sleep 3) loss of body mass 4) lack of desire to train 5) headaches If you push yourself too much, you can actually REVERSE progress of exercise and cause long-term cellular damage. Listen to your body for the symptoms. Injuries and sicknesses will start popping up, since your immune system will take a dump. It's hard to tell just by looking at your program. It all depends on how intese you are when you do it, and how RESTFUL you are on your days off. And how many hours of sleep you get each nite.

I think it's the competitive nature in all of us. Some people are content to practice whatever, and go through life aspiring to be the best at one thing. Others are not satisfied with that and want to take in as much as they can, be the best they can be at many things, and be prepared for any eventuality. Granted, you can go through life and never have a confrontation with anyone. And if you are trained the martial way, then you learn to control your temper and not put yourself in that position. But others (myself included) have jobs or things we do where we are put in harm's way and we don't know who or what we are facing around every corner. I don't know if I'll have to fight some drunk, or if I'll have to take on a black belt in Hapkido. Either way, I can say I'm prepared for just about anything thrown my way. Granted, the average person doesn't have to worry about that. But it's nice to know that you can take care of yourself well if the need arises. Street effectiveness is important for brawlers, but they shouldn't be in the martial arts with that mentality. It's also important for cops, bouncers, and other people who come into contact with potentially aggressive people daily. Those are people who definitely need street effective tactics. The 13 year old who has a bully after him may also feel the need to know this as well. But for the most part, a certain degree of street effective knowledge is key. I think people ask that question becuase they want the confidence to handle the situation, and they may be inexperienced at real street encounters. Most TKD and TSD guys (other arts as well) can hold their own pretty well against most attackers.

Exactly, and stop being ticked at him for flirting with your woman. She's with you, right??? If she was hanging with him, or she likes him, then kick her to the curb and don't worry about him. But like the other poster said, he might just be better than you. Oh well. You'll have to deal with that all your life. No matter how good you are, there will always be someone better or tougher. Just do the best you can, and don't get angry; learn from your mistakes and improve on your technique.

The best for WHAT? For winning in tournaments, for katas, or for kicking butt in the street? I assume you want the "kicking butt" style. I would third the BJJ or Judo recomendation, but I would also add Kung Fu San Soo in there also. It's OK to take BJJ, but you have to also have a good stand-up game as well. I took TSD and San Soo, and I am very confident in my stand up fighting ability, but I honestly wouldn't stand a chance on the ground grappling with an experienced grappler. I know a few things down there, enough to get me by with an inexperienced opponent, but I'd get my clock cleaned by a good wrestler or BJJ practicioner. Be well rounded.

LOL @ bretty!!!!! I love it! Creatine really is good stuff, but it isn't a "steroid replacement" like most people say. I used it steadily for a year, and noticed big gains. I benched my best 1 rep max on creatine. I gained too much fat though, since I was mixing it with juice and failed to compensate for the extra calories.

There are so many myths out there I don't even know where to start! Rattle off some and I'll debunk or reinforce it! Myth: Weight lifting can stunt your growth. Truth: Weight lifting MAY have an adverse affect on growth if done at too early an age. Young people who lift can stunt bone growth due to the excess demands placed on their joints and ligaments. Weightlifting isn't generally reccomended for people under 14 years of age. But then again, this is all about genetics. I know lifters who have lifted since they were 12, and they turned out pretty tall. Main thing is, if you're healthy, eat healthy, are 14 or older, and you lift weights or run marathons, then don't worry about stunting your growth. I think a lot has to do with the young kids who lift, but eat cheeseburgers, sodas, fries, candy and junk (little to no protein and calcium). You lift and it places demands on your body for high quality protein and calcium, and if you aren't giving it that, then your body won't be able to grow properly. Myth: weight lifting causes heart disease. Truth: Heart disease is a genetic problem, and can be developed in people without a history by poor diet and LACK of exercise. Weightlifting actually improves cardiovascular function and can help lower cholesterol (bad type) and actually help people predisposed to heart disease. But people who DO have heart disease should always consult a physician before undertaking a strenuous workout program. Myth: You can get ripped abs by using those infomercial ab machines. Truth: Biggest scam around. No one can lose the belly and look like Clarence Bass by doing crunches on a piece of metal/plastic while in a relaxed and smiling state. You must do aerobic work to take the layer of fat off your abs so they are visible! We all have "abs". What the difference is , some of us have a hefty layer of flab covering them. Bring 'em on!!! Let's get them out in the open and get people to work out right!!

That's good info, but to answer your question quickly and efficiently, here goes: 1) Bulk up by consuming more calories than you burn each day. You have to find your BMR (base metabolic rate) ; there are sites on the net that can help you figure it out. The calories should be in the form of complex carbs and protein ( protein shakes, veggies, protein bars and peanut butter, etc). You have to work out hard or you will NOT bulk up muscularity wise, only around the waist. I do this for about 3-4 months. Watch the junk food, although you can eat junk one day a week. Limit aerobic activity. Do light warm-up aerobics, focus on heavy weightlifting. 2) Cutting: reduce your caloric intake to less than your BMR. Increase aerobic activity to 4-5 times a week, reduce weightlifting to 3 times a week and do lighter weights. Keep taking in a lot of protein to prevent muscle breakdown.

awwwww man...you're killing me Ogre.....