rob50

I don't know too much about nitric oxide. As far a protein it is a great supplement to take, espically for those lifting weights. (The only supplement that that I personally take is protien) During lifting muscles become fatigued. After becoming fatigued the muscles require protien to rebuild. There are many more scientific terms and other factors that paly into this (calorie intake, persons genitics, he goals of the individual) but the short of it is that the muscles require protien in order to grow. Muscles can grow with out supplements but meeting the protein /vitamin/calorie intake rquirement can be hard to meet eating regualar foods. Also eating all this food rasies other intake such as fat the can hinder some peoples diet. In some cases, it would be almost impossible to eat the requred amount to get what a few supplement could easily supply.

As patusai said Cretine swells you muscles with warter and can help some people during exsurtion. This is a safe substance to use and as long as the directions are followed and LOTS of water is consumed. Here is a link on the subject http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=19874 I don't think the water pill is necessary or will help. I really only hear of women taking them bout I do not know much on the subject other then the help shed excess water. In my opinion if you want to lose water weight just sweat it off, but this can be dangerous if you don't rehydrate because you may become dyhydrated. As far a nitrous oxide (if this is kind I think you are refurring to ) it is a way that people use to get high. People inhale the nitrous, and long story short , it cuts off oxygen to the brain. (I believe this is the correct explanation) The nitrous molecules are smaller thatn the blood cells and they (nitrous) travel directly to the brain cutting off blood flow. This give the "high" sensation but if too much is consumend it can suffocate the brain causing death. There are several way people inhale the nitrous but I'm not going to get into that. Needless to say this would not be benifitical in any way to your body or mind. others may have some furter info on these subjects>

"I'd have to say 'The Quest' or 'Street Fighter' both starring Van Damme has to be two of the biggest MA turds I've ever seen on film..." Agreed

I'd figured that I put this on any way, even though it is late. I study okinawian kenpo karate. My shihan and keoshi studied directly under Ono(i think I'm spelling his name wrong oops,) in Okinawia Japan

Here, this is a pretty decent description and it saves me from typing. http://www.all-karate.com/111/kenpo-karate

One of the many

I wonder if you have to wear a kilt while doing kata? lol What part of scotland are you from? just wounder because my dad is from Glasgow.

hi there. I see that your from carlisile. I live in nj and come up to carlise once a year for that car show that is held there.

Hello every one. I'm new to the site and just wanted to introduce my self. I'm rob from Southern NJ. I just reached brown belt at my dojo which is Okka (Okinawa Kenpo Karate Academy) I am 23 and a student at Rowan unviversity. My major is law/justice and I am currently in the process of testing with several departments to become a police officer.

Armorofgod I would like the plans if you would mind sending them to me my e-mail is blueturbocoupe@yahoo.com Right now I have to keep haning my 100lb bag from a tree branch, which is a real work out in itself. lol I also like the bob because it lets you practice accuracy on a human form. I don't own own one but my dojo has 2 and they are pretty neat. However, the heavy bag is far superior escpically if is the first thing you are going to purchace, because they really take a beating. The wave master can come unglued from the stand as is the case with about 4 of them my dojo owns. I purchaced a everlast 100 lb bag about a year back I and it can stannd up to the elemnts if it is left out side The bob might be a good addition after already owing a heavybag but a heavybag gives enought versatitlity that you proabaly wont want to spenad the $ on a BOB. The only bad part of a heavy bag is they have to hang from a support.

cool, thanks for the info guys

Thanks for the repsponses. I really like the 5 element ones. They look like the could be also worn as an all purpose shoe such as at the gym or just as sneakers. Does any body know if these are durable for out of the dojo use also?

Also, like some of the other replies stated, you need to express your goals. If you want size cut down on cardio. If you want to be cut/ripped, increase cardio. I personally like a combo of both. All body types are diffrent so you'll need to find what works for you but having a single day for entire body weight lifting is not a good idea. The most body parts I would train in one day would be 2. And I would make them opposing body parts such as triceps/back one day, rest, bicepts/ chest another, rest etc. Or you could just do what I do and lift 5 days a week one body part with cardio before as this get your heart rate up as well as serving as a warm up for the lifting . This is also much faster so it eliminates having to be in the gym for 1 1/2 hours every other day.

I personally do 1 body part per day for 5 days out of a week(40 min workout). With a 10 min. warm up before hand. Then two days a week I have karate which usally suficces for my cardio. Occasonally I throw in a mile or so run.

Has anyone tried out the MA dojo shoes? If so what are they like and do you prefer bare foot or the shoes?

I have to agree with justice zero. Most bullies pick on people that they think will do little or nothing back. This is the reason that they are bullies. I have never seen any bullies walking up to the biggest peson and picking a fight. It is usally the most smallest, shy, quiet etc. kid/adult. In my opinion and in my expierence, when younger, a bully usally has to be made to stop by the indivudual that he is picking on. Most bullies only uderstand violence, and that is often the reason that they act the way that they do. I'm not saying that it is moraly to retaliate, but....

I think that JusticeZero is correct in saying that it is used to help others as well. I am currently 23 and For five years I worked at a hospital in Phila. as security. We had a crisis responce center which is basically an emergency room for mentally unstable, drug abusers, and pretty much any undesirable violent person that for some reasonor another was not able to be legally arrested by the police. Some of these people came volntairly and wanted help, but most were forced to be there. The police regulary brought in people that were mental and before they were allowed to enter the unit they, were required to lock there guns in a safe to prevent someone inside the area taking the gun and killing every one inside. (this area is locked and only a few nurses and the security officer possed the key.) This unit was so crazy with having to restrain people and altercations breaking out that after a year of working here I began to take MA. This greatly helped me because I could quickly restrain a patient or at least have that confidence that would calm my nerves if I sensed a fight was going to begin. It was still dangerous because some of these people will not feel pain if put in a joint lock etc. but if worst came to worst I could at least hould out longer in a fight until backup arrives. Now going through process to become a police officer I have very glad that I know MA to help protect others as well as my self. Also after knowing what MA can do, I think that ALL law enforcemnt agents should have more traning in this area. It would reduce the abuse of force as wel as keep them safe. Sorry it was so long winded but in some situatuions it is hard to just walk away, espically when others are counting on you for protection (such as a person in law enforcement). I took one import thing away form here that will stay with me forever. Most of the time you can talk you way out of a situation, even when dealing with crazy people. YOUR MIND IS YOUR GRATEST WEAPON.

I should have added that I would change one thing. i would have statred earlier.

I don't think I would change a thing. It has been a great learning expierience so far. Even the aspects or techniques that I don't like or don't think work still offer some type of learning. Wheter the learning is that you need more practice in this area or just that the technique does not work for you is still learning.

I personally like hands guarded up and open w/ the palms facing in the general direction of my opponent. One of the reason i like this is because of speed. I can throw a punch and close my hand right before impact which is much quicker and uses less energy than punching with a closed fist starting from the garded position. Another reason i like this is because it easier to block, shouto etc with the hands already open.